Yang Liu, Ph.D.
Charles B. de Nancrède Research Professor in Surgery
Director, Division of Immunotherapy, Department of Surgery
Co-leader of Cancer Immunology Program, UMCCC
Program of Molecular Mechanism of Diseases
yangl@umich.edu

Research Interests

My laboratory studies the overlapping area of immunology, cancer biology and autoimmune diseases. We are interested in genetic control of cancer and autoimmune diseases, cell surface interactions critical for T cell activation and autoimmunity, and interaction between cancer cells and immune and hematopoietic system.

Current Research Activity

Our laboratory takes a multiple disciplinary approach to studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms of cancer immunity and autoimmunity. We are interested in cellular and molecular interactions critical for the development, induction and effector function of T-cell and Natural Killer cell-mediated immunity and cancer evasion of host immunity. We recently extended our work on human genetics in breast cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Representative Publications

Guo-Yun Chen, Jie Tang, Pan Zheng and Yang Liu, CD24 and Siglec-10 selectively repress tissue damage-induced immune responses. Science. 2009 Mar 27;323(5922):1722-5.

Yang Liu, Guo-Yun Chen, Pan Zheng. CD24-Siglec G/10 discriminates danger- from pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Trends Immunol. 2009 Dec;30(12):557-61.

Tao Zuo, Lizhong Wang, Carl Morrison, Xing Chang, Huiming Zhang, Michael Chan, Xingluo Liu, Yan Liu, Yin Wang, Richard Love, Tim M Huang, Tianyu Yang, Pan Zheng and Yang Liu. The X-linked gene Foxp3 is an important suppressor gene for breast cancer and repressor of Her-2/neu/ErbB2. Cell 129: 1275-1286.

Lizhong Wang, Runhua Liu, Weiquan Li, Chong Chen, Hiroto Katoh, Guo-Yun Chen, Beth McNally, Lin Lin, Penghui Zhou, Tao Zuo, Kathleen A. Cooney, Yang Liu and Pan Zheng. Somatic Single-hits Inactivate the X-linked Tumor Suppressor FOXP3 in the Prostate. Cancer Cell 16(4):336-46. PMID: 19800578.

Chong Chen, Yu Liu, Yang Liu and Pan Zheng. mTOR Regulation and Therapeutic Rejuvenation of Aging Hematopoietic Stem Cells. Science Signaling 2: ra75, 2009).