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Faculty Profile Last Modified Time: 10:05:19 AM Tue, 24 Mar 2020   Contact Information Momoko Yoshimoto Associated Profiles  Associate Professor, Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, UT Health Science Center at Houston   Sarofim Research Building, Room No.: 637B    momoko.yoshimoto@uth.tmc.edu     713.500.2407    Web Link    Cell Culture, Gene Expression, Flow Cytometry, Stem Cell Biology, Cells, Stem Cells, Stem Cell Differentiation, Stem Cell Culture, Developmental Biology, Cell Differentiation, Cell Isolation, Stem Cell Isolation, Hematopoiesis, Hematopoietic Stem Cells    Associated Profiles Professional Preparation Research and Expertise Affiliations Appointments  Professional Preparation  Degree Major Institution Year  MD, PhD Hematology Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine 2003  Research and Expertise Research Interests   Dr. Yoshimoto's lab focuses on how innate immune B-1a cells develop in the mouse embryo and how they are maintained in the adult peritoneal cavity without being replenished by adult bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). B-1 cells are unique murine innate immune cells that are distinguished from conventional adoptive B cells (B-2 cells). B-1 cells localize in the peritoneal and pleural cavities and secrete natural antibodies without T cell help, displaying important roles in the first line of defense against various infections, atherosclerosis, and autoimmunity. It has been postulated for decades that B-1a cells are derived from fetal progenitor cells, not from adult bone marrow HSCs, based on the results of transplantation assays. We have recently reported the presence of HSC-independent B-1 progenitors in HSC-deficient embryos (PNAS 2011, 2014). Our data and others' publication showed lack of B-1a cell potential in highly purified HSCs in adult bone marrow and fetal liver, suggesting that HSC-independent B-1 progenitors are produced somewhere in the mouse embryo and contribute to producing B-1 cell pool that persists to postnatal life. Our aim is to identify the main source of HSC-independent B-1 progenitor cells and evaluate its real contribution to postnatal B-1 cell pool, utilizing various lineage tracing mouse models and transplantation assays with hematopoietic progenitors and hemogenic endothelial cells. Another important question that has not been resolved for decade is how B-1a cells are maintained without being replenished by adult bone marrow HSCs. We hypothesize that one of the polycomb proteins, Bmi1 plays a role in self-renewal capacity of mature B-1a cells in the adult peritoneal cavity. Using B cell lineage specific Bmi1 deletion, we are evaluating the B-1a cell number and their self-renewal ability upon transplantation. Comparing RNA expression profiles between wild type and Bmi1 deleted B-1a cells, we are trying to identify target genes of Bmi1 in B-1a cell self-renewal ability. We are also evaluating fat associated lymphoid clusters (FALCs) as a niche for B-1 cells in the peritoneal cavity if microenvironment is altered in Bmi1-/- mice. With knowledge obtained from above projects, we are developing a culture system to produce B-1 cells from mouse ES cells and human iPS cells in vitro. Since B-1 cells are not replenished by adult HSCs after transplantation, producing B-1 cells in vitro might open a path of cell therapy for immunocompromised patients after bone marrow transplantation.  Publications/Creative Works Click here to search for this faculty member's publications on PubMed.  Affiliations  Research Consortia Gulf Coast Cluster for Single Cell Omics Gulf Coast Cluster for Immunology  Appointments Title Department / School Institution Associate Professor Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine UT Health Science Center at Houston

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