Geoffrey Hart

E-mail: hart0792@umn.edu

Thesis advisor: Steve Jameson

Year entered: 2006

Degrees received:
B.S., Biochemistry, Bates College, Lewiston, ME 2002

Honors and Awards:
Graduate School Fellowship 2006

Thesis research:
The transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) is critical for normal T-cell development and lack of KLF2 limits T-cell egress from the thymus. Once T-cells are mature, they express sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1P1) allowing them to leave the thymus, and KLF2 has been shown to both directly bind to the S1P1 promoter and affect its gene expression. KLF2 and S1P1 have also been shown to affect other molecules, such as CD62L and CD69, that alter trafficking in and out of secondary lymphoid tissues. Once T-cells leave the thymus, however, it is unclear whether KLF2 affects T-cell trafficking, homeostasis, and memory formation. An inducible KLF2 knock out mouse model was analyzed in which KLF2 could be deleted following T cell development and thymic egress. The effects on T cell phenotype and T cell response are discussed.