People at Dr. Kimberly Payne's lab

Principal Investigator

   Kimberly Payne, PhD
   Assistant Professor
   Division of Anatomy
   kpayne@llu.edu
   Phone: 909-558-4300 Ext. 81363

People

 Ruijun Sun, MD/PhD
  Post-doctoral Fellow
  rsu@llu.edu                                     
  Phone: 909-558-4300 Ext. 81372                          

Research Description

Currently I am developing animal models and strategies to evaluate the impact of human lymphoid cytokines such as TSLP and IL-7 in both normal hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis, as well as understanding IL-7Rα receptor as a specific marker for segregation of lymphoid progenitors in human hematopoiesis. I have long term research interest in developing animal models and gene modulation strategies to understand the relation of lymphoid/myeloid progenitor domination during aging of the immune system.

Selected Publications

2. Su RJ, Epp A, Latchman Y, Bolgiano D, Pipe SW, Josephson NC. Suppression of FVIII inhibitor formation in hemophilic mice by delivery of transgene modified apoptotic fibroblasts. Molecular Therapy. 2010,18(1):214-22.

3. Su RJ, Epp A, Feng J, Roy J, Latchman Y, Wu X, Josephson NC. Suppression of the Immune response to FVIII in hemophilia A mice by transgene modified tolerogenic dendritic cells. Molecular Therapy. 2011 Oct;19(10):1896-904.

  Ineavely Baez
  Senior Research Assistant
  idelgado@llu.edu
  Phone: 909-558-4300 Ext. 81372

Research Description

I assist with all of the projects in Dr. Payne’s laboratory. I assist Dr. Payne in training students to stain cells for flow cytometry and to collect and analyze flow cytometry data. I am also in charge of collecting and processing umbilical cord blood and leukemia samples that are collected as a part of our research studies.

Selected Publications

1. Parrish YK, Báez I, Milford T-A, Benitez A, Galloway N, Willeman-Rogerio J, Sahakian E, Kagoda M, Huang G, Hao QL, Sevilla Y, Barsky LW, Zielinska E, Price MA, Wall NR, Dovat S, and Payne KJ. (2009) IL-7 Dependence of Human B Lymphopoiesis Increases During Progression of Ontogeny from Cord Blood to Bone Marrow. J Immunol., 182(7):4255-66. PMCID: 2659466.

2. Odumosu O, Payne K, Báez I, Jutzy J, Wall N, Langridge W. (2011)  Suppression of dendritic cell activation by diabetes autoantigens linked to the cholera toxin B subunit. Immunobiology. 216(4):447-56. PMID:20956025

  Abigail Benitez
  Graduate Student
  abenitez@llu.edu
  Phone: 909-558-4300 Ext. 81369

Research Description

My research interests are in the subject of late B cell development.  I am currently working on a translational model from mouse to human in order to gain insight into mechanisms that regulate elimination of auto-reactive B cells.  Understanding similarities and differences between both species will provide a starting point for understanding normal B cell development and abnormalities that can lead to B cell-mediated autoimmunity.

Publications

1. Sanchez MC, Benitez A, Ortloff L, Green LM. (2009). Alterations in glutamate uptake in NT2-derived neurons and astrocytes after exposure to gamma radiation. Radiat Res. 171(1): 41-52.

  Olivia Francis
  Graduate Student
  ofrancis@llu.edu
  Phone: 909-558-4300 Ext. 81372

Research Description

My project focuses on cellular mechanisms and therapies for human CRLF2 B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL). The goal of this study is to identify the role of the cytokines TSLP and IL-7 in the development/maintenance of human CRLF2 positive B-ALL and to identify therapeutic candidates that can be used to treat patients with the disease.

Publications
O. L. Francis, J.L. Payne, R. Su and K.J. Payne. World (2011). Regulator of Myeloid Differentiation and Function: The Secret Life of Ikaros. J Biol Chem, 2(6): 199-125

  Shannalee Martinez
  Graduate Student
  smartinez@llu.edu
  Phone: 909-558-4300 Ext. 81369

Research Description

The overall goal of our laboratory is to translate the information gained from mouse models of B cell development to human models that we will use to answer basic and translational questions that have clinical relevance. Pre-B ALL where genetic defects lead to overexpression of cytokine receptor-like factor 2 (CRLF2d B-ALL) are high-risk with a poor prognosis, and occur five times more frequently in Hispanic/Latino children than those of other ethnic backgrounds. In vitro intracellular signaling pathways and functional studies, along with in vivo studies using a novel human-mouse xenograft model, are being conducted to investigate the roles of CRLF2 and its ligand, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), in the development and treatment of pre-B ALL.

Publications

1. Leoh LS, Heertum B, Rijck J, Filippova M, Rios-Colon L, Basu A, Martinez SR, Tungteakkhun S, Filippov V, Christ F, De Leon M, Debyser Z, Casiano CA (2012) The stress oncoprotein LEDGF/p75 interacts with the methyl CpG binding protein MeCP2 and influences its transcriptional activity. Molecular Cancer Research. 10:378-91

2. Basu A, Banerjee H, Rojas H, Martinez SR, Roy S, Jia Z, Lilly MB, De Leon M, Casiano CA (2010) Differential expression of peroxiredoxins in prostate cancer: Consistent upregulation of PRDX3 and PRDX4. The Prostate 71:755-65

  Terry-Ann Milford
  Graduate Student
  tmilford@llu.edu
  Phone: 909-558-4300 Ext. 81369

Research Description

Normal B cell development is a guided interplay between hematopoietic stem cells, cytokine-receptor signals and transcription factors. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is one such cytokine and in the mouse, it has been shown to impact B cell development, although its exact contribution is unclear. Less is known about its function in normal human B cell development, although overexpression of one of its receptor components has recently been implicated in pre-B ALL, the most common childhood malignancy. My project is focused on understanding the role of TSLP in normal human neonatal and adult B cell development.

Publications

1. Parrish YK, Báez I, Milford T-A, Benitez A, Galloway N, Willeman-Rogerio J, Sahakian E, Kagoda M, Huang G, Hao QL, Sevilla Y, Barsky LW, Zielinska E, Price MA, Wall NR, Dovat S, and Payne KJ. (2009) IL-7 Dependence of Human B Lymphopoiesis Increases During Progression of Ontogeny from Cord Blood to Bone Marrow. J Immunol., 182(7):4255-66. PMCID: 2659466.

2. K. J. Payne, L. A. Cylde, A. J. Weldon, T. A. Milford, and S. M. Yellon. Biology of Reproduction. (2012) Residency and Activation of Myeloid Cells During Remodeling of the Prepartum Murine Cervix. Submitted.

  Abby Weldon
  Graduate Student
  aweldon@llu.edu
  Phone: 909-558-4300 Ext. 81372

Research Description

Tumor Necrosis Factor Superfamily (TNFSF) members APRIL and BAFF have been implicated in B cell mediated autoimmune pathology. Elevated levels of BAFF and/or APRIL may contribute to the breakdown of negative selection mechanisms. Serum levels of APRIL and BAFF are elevated in patients with SLE and RA and surface forms of these proteins have been detected on normal and/or malignant B lineage cells. Using flow cytometry we found surface forms of APRIL and BAFF on peripheral blood B cells from SLE and RA patients. The aims of my project is to compare surface expression of APRIL and BAFF and their receptors on B cells from SLE and RA patients to normal B cells and to elucidate their roles in B cell-mediated autoimmunity.

Publications

1. E. E. Vomhof-Dekrey, A. R. Sandy, J. J. Failing, R. J. Hermann, S. A. Hoselton, J. M. Schuh; A. J. Weldon, K. J. Payne,  G. Dorsam.  Peptides. 32, 2058-2066 (2011) Radical Reversal of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Receptors During Early Lymphopoiesis.

2. K. J. Payne, L. A. Cylde, A. J. Weldon, T. A. Milford, and S. M. Yellon. Biology of Reproduction. (2012) Residency and Activation of Myeloid Cells During Remodeling of the Prepartum Murine Cervix. Submitted.