Averil Ma, MD, PhD
Research Interests
My lab studies signal transduction events relevant to inflammation. We have shown that the molecule A20 is critical for modulating the inflammatory response in vivo by regulating signaling from both the TNF receptor and TLR in multiple cell types. A20-deficient mice develop profound autoimmunity coupled with an inability to terminate TNF-induced NF-κB responses. This spontaneous inflammation is largely due to MyD88 dependent signals. A20 also restricts NOD2-dependent signals. Ongoing studies focus on the mechanisms by which A20 and related proteins perform these varied critical functions—including novel mechanisms regulating ubiquitin conjugation and cellular activation. We have also discovered that one of A20’s binding partners, ABIN-1, is critical for hepatocyte and organismal survival. Work in the lab also extends to IL-15 signaling, a critical pathway for intestinal stromal cell- and hepatocyte-lymphoid interactions. Our results with IL-15 have major implications for the maintenance and activation of liver resident lymphocytes such as NK cells and NKT cells.
Selected Publications
- Turer EE, Tavares R, Hitotsumatsu O, Advincula R, Lee BL, Shifrin N, Malynn B.A., Ma A. Homeostatic MyD88 dependent signals cause lethal inflammation in the absence of A20. J Exp Med 2008;205:451-464.
- Hitotsumatsu O, Ahmad RC, Tavares R, Wang M, Philpott D, Turer EE, Lee BL, Shiffin N, Advincula R, Malynn B.A., Werts C, Ma A. The ubiquitin editing enzyme A20 restricts NOD2 triggered signals. Immunity 2008;28:381-390.
- Mortier E, Woo T, Advincula R, Gozalo S, Ma A. IL-15Rα chaperones IL-15 to stable dendritic cell membrane complexes that activate NK cells via trans-presentation. J Exp Med 2008;205:1213-1225.
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Oshima S, Turer EE, Callahan JA, Advincula R, Chai S, Barrera J, Shifrin N, Lee B, Woo T, Yen B, Malynn BA, and Ma A. ABIN-1 is a ubiquitin sensor that restricts TNF induced cell death and sustains embryonic development. Nature 2009; 457:906-910.
- Professor & Interim Chief of Gastroenterology
- Medicine/Gastroenterology
Research Theme
- Liver Injury and Repair
Contact Information
- Averil.ma@
ucsf.edu - Phone: (415) 502-9405
- Fax: (415) 502-9404
- 513 Parnassus Ave.
- Box 0451, Room S-1057
- San Francisco, CA 94143-0451
Other UCSF Affiliations
- BMS graduate program
- PIB.S. graduate program
- Molecular medicine program