Dr. Yue is investigating the role of Leptin receptor signaling in blood stem cells (hematopoietic stem cells, HSCs). Leptin signals the nutritional status of the body and tightly controls energy metabolism and body weight. Interestingly, bone marrow stromal cells surrounding HSCs express very high levels of Leptin receptor; it is therefore possible that HSCs, which can initiate leukemia in pathological conditions, are regulated by nutritional changes in the microenvironment through Leptin signaling. These studies may enable successful HSC expansion and transplantation after chemotherapy in leukemia patients, and may also help prevent or treat other types of cancer.

 

---

Project Title: "Functional analysis of leptin receptor signaling in hematopoietic stem cells and perivascular niche"

Institution: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School

Sponsor(s) / Mentor(s): Sean J. Morrison, PhD

Cancer Type: Leukemias

Research Area: Stem Cell Biology