Tina Wu, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate

Currently researching the microenvironment of breast cancer, in order to develop new strategies of immunotherapy.

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About Tina Wu, Ph.D.

The human breast cancer microenvironment displays features of T helper 2 (Th2) immunity, which promotes tumor development. We showed that breast cancer cell-derived thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), by inducing OX40L expression on DCs, contributes to the Th2 immunity conducive to breast tumor development. In order to reprogram the inflammatory pro-tumor Th2 (iTh2) into anti-tumor Th1 microenvironment, we tested the impact of targeting the innate receptors on DCs to render the resistant to tumor environment. We show that intratumoral delivery of β-glucan, a natural ligand for dectin-1 expressed on DCs, blocks the generation of iTh2 cells leading to decreased IL-13 in the tumor microenvironment and prevents breast cancer development. β-glucan exposed DCs expand CD8+ T cells, which produce higher IFNg, Granzyme A and Granzyme B, accumulate in the tumors leading to enhanced tumor necrosis in vivo. Our data demonstrate that exploiting pattern-recognition receptors on tumor-infiltrating DCs enables cancer rejection. We are further exploring the ATACseq and RNAseq approach to understand the regulation of TSLP production in breast tumor cells and how TSLP alters the infiltrating DCs. It can be novel molecular biology approaches to decode tumor infiltrating DCs and T cells and define potential targets for immunotherapy.

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Research HighlightDecember 11, 2018
The unexpected advantages of outbred mice in research
Recently developed outbred mouse populations, such as the diversity outbred (DO) mice at The Jackson Laboratory (JAX), have created research options that parallel or even exceed human genetic diversity. Research with DO mice offers a full range of genetic diversity, and therefore more generalizability of responses across populations.
Research HighlightDecember 03, 2018
Hibernating bears provide clues for kidney regeneration
JAX researcher Ron Korstanje is closer to understanding exactly how bear kidneys recover from the damage caused by hibernation.
Press ReleaseNovember 13, 2018
V Foundation funds JAX cancer research for third straight year
Armed with new funding from the V Foundation, Olga Anczuków-Camarda is uncovering genetic changes in the breast, paving the road to early cancer detection and prevention.
Press ReleaseOctober 24, 2018
Data provides new hope for pediatric brain tumor patients
Using computer models, researchers have identified a potential new therapy that would reduce the long-term side effects of radiation therapy in pediatric brain cancer patients.

Blog PostDecember 11, 2018
Nesting dolls and Narnia
If movies were true to real life, matryoshka dolls would provide a good analogy for genomics research.
Blog PostNovember 27, 2018
Efficient and effective methods to use family history data for risk assessment
As 1 in 10 people are at increased risk for cancer, but often go undetected, knowing who these people are can lead to personalized management and better health outcomes.
- Cancer/Tumors
- Cancer
Blog PostOctober 31, 2018
Can we do a better job of preserving fertility and ovarian function for young breast cancer survivors?
Young women with a new cancer diagnosis are faced with a number of challenges. These patients (and their providers) are often anxious to begin treatment right away. The problem is that many young women haven’t started or completed their families at the time of their diagnosis.
Research HighlightOctober 11, 2018
Stuck in a dangerous cycle
Paper provides important insight for B-cell lymphomagenesis from mouse models to human disease.