M. S. Kuhns

Chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection curtails the cytotoxic potential of acute T cell responses to West Nile virus in the brain.

The paper shows that chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection reduces the cytotoxic response of T cells to West Nile virus in the brain, increasing susceptibility to WNV.

The CD4 transmembrane GGXXG and juxtamembrane (C/F)CV+C motifs mediate pMHCII-specific signaling independently of CD4-Lck interactions

This study shows that CD4's GGXXG and (C/F)CV+C motifs are critical for pMHCII-specific signal amplification without requiring CD4-LCK interactions.

The TCR Cα domain regulates responses to self-pMHCII

This study investigates the role of the TCR Cα domain in regulating CD4+ T cell responses to self-pMHCII, finding that mutations in this domain increase tonic signaling and homeostatic survival without affecting proliferation or differentiation.

Enhancing and inhibitory motifs have coevolved to regulate CD4 activity

The paper shows that enhancing and inhibitory motifs in CD4 coevolved to regulate pMHCII responses by fine-tuning signal relay across the cell membrane.

A biomimetic five-module chimeric antigen receptor (5MCAR) designed to target and eliminate antigen-specific T cells

This paper designs a biomimetic 5MCAR to target and eliminate antigen-specific T cells, showing it can mitigate type I diabetes in NOD mice.