IMMUNE DEVELOPMENT AND INFLAMMATORY-MEDIATED DISEASES

Our research focuses on the role of TCFL5, a bHLH transcription factor, in colon cancer cells. Deletion of TCFL5 significantly reduces tumor properties. Two major isoforms, TCFL5_E1/E8 and TCFL5_E2b/E8, have distinct functions. TCFL5_E1/E8 regulates anti-apoptotic genes like BCL2, while TCFL5_E2b/E8 controls pluripotency markers. We identified genes regulated by these isoforms and their roles in leukemia and lymphopoiesis. TCFL5_E2b/E8 is associated with severity in lymphoma and myeloma. Tcfl5 deficiency impairs germinal center formation and B cell differentiation. TCFL5 also contributes to embryonic development. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have different effects; TLR2 ligands trigger M2 macrophage phenotype, while TLR4 activation leads to M1 phenotype. TLR2 ligands modulate cytokines and show benefits in Listeria infection. Atypical LPS induces TLR4/TLR2 heterodimerization. We also researched Chagas' disease and COVID-19 immunology.