Positions

Research Areas research areas

Overview

  • The long-term goal of our research program is to facilitate the development of novel therapies for cancer patients through a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating GLI transcription factors in a hedgehog (HH) independent manner. We are also interested in understanding the role of GLI proteins in inflammation.

    Our research focuses on 3 overlapping aims: Understanding the biology of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM); Understanding the role of GLI proteins in regulating inflammation and antibody secretion in normal and WM cells; and Understanding the role of cytokines in the tumor microenvironment (TME) on WM.

    1. Identification and characterization of novel GLI target genes in the tumor microenvironment.
    2. Characterizing novel epigenetic regulation of WM and the TME.
    3. Identification and characterization of the role of GLI proteins in Waldenström macroglobulinemia and other B cell malignancies.
    4. Identification and characterization of novel signaling pathways that regulate GLI proteins.
    5. Characterization of the role of GLI in inflammation.
    6. Characterization of the role of GLI in B cell biology and immunoglobulin secretion.

    • Selected Publications

    Academic Article

    Year Title
    2025 Differential Gene Expression in the Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus Following Long-Access Methamphetamine Self-Administration in Male Rats..  International Journal of Molecular Sciences.  26:1400. 2025
    2024 GLI3 Is Required for M2 Macrophage Polarization and M2-Mediated Waldenström Macroglobulinemia Growth and Survival..  International Journal of Molecular Sciences.  25:13120. 2024
    2024 KRAS Promotes GLI2-Dependent Transcription during Pancreatic Carcinogenesis..  Cancer Res Commun.  4:1677-1689. 2024
    2023 Correction: A novel mechanism of regulation of the oncogenic transcription factor GLI3 by toll-like receptor signaling..  Oncotarget.  14:448. 2023
    2022 Waldenström Macroglobulinemia: Mechanisms of Disease Progression and Current Therapies..  International Journal of Molecular Sciences.  23:11145. 2022
    2022 MLL1 inhibition reduces IgM levels in Waldenström macroglobulinemia..  Leukemia Research.  116:106841. 2022
    2022 A novel mechanism of regulation of the oncogenic transcription factor GLI3 by toll-like receptor signaling..  Oncotarget.  13:944-959. 2022
    2021 Macrophage Polarization States in the Tumor Microenvironment..  International Journal of Molecular Sciences.  22:6995. 2021
    2021 Epigenetic targeting of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia cells with BET inhibitors synergizes with BCL2 or histone deacetylase inhibition (vol 13, pg 129, 2021).  Epigenomics.  13:909-911. 2021
    2021 A novel mechanism of regulation of the transcription factor GLI3 by toll-like receptor signaling 2021
    2021 Epigenetic targeting of Waldenström macroglobulinemia cells with BET inhibitors synergizes with BCL2 or histone deacetylase inhibition..  Epigenomics.  13:129-144. 2021
    2020 GLI1/GLI2 functional interplay is required to control Hedgehog/GLI targets gene expression..  Biochemical Journal.  477:3131-3145. 2020
    2019 Targeting MYC activity in double-hit lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements with epigenetic bromodomain inhibitors..  Journal of Hematology and Oncology.  12:73. 2019
    2019 Targeting IL-6 receptor reduces IgM levels and tumor growth in Waldenström macroglobulinemia..  Oncotarget.  10:3400-3407. 2019
    2019 In Vitro Osteogenic, Angiogenic, and Inflammatory Effects of Copper in beta-Tricalcium Phosphate.  MRS Advances.  4:1253-1259. 2019
    2019 Targeting IL-6 reduces IgM levels and tumor growth in Waldenström macroglobulinemia 2019
    2018 Elevated GLI3 expression in germinal center diffuse large B cell lymphoma..  Leukemia and Lymphoma.  59:2743-2745. 2018
    2018 Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Fluorescein-Tagged 1-Methyl-o-carborane for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.  Annals of Advances in Chemistry.  2:075-081. 2018
    2018 Calf melanin immunomodulates RPE cell attachment to extracellular matrix protein..  Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology.  256:1883-1893. 2018
    2018 Calf melanin immunomodulates RPE cell attachment to extracellular matrix protein..  Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology.  256:1883-1893. 2018
    2017 Cobalt-Doped Brushite Cement: Preparation, Characterization, and In Vitro Interaction with Osteosarcoma Cells.  JOM.  69:1348-1353. 2017
    2017 Novel Molecular Mechanism of Regulation of CD40 Ligand by the Transcription Factor GLI2..  Journal of Immunology.  198:4481-4489. 2017
    2017 Sublethal effects of imidacloprid exposure on Spalangia endius, a pupal parasitoid of filth flies.  BioControl.  62:53-60. 2017
    2017 rtfA controls development, secondary metabolism, and virulence in Aspergillus fumigatus..  PLoS ONE.  12:e0176702. 2017
    2015 Modulation of the IL-6 Receptor α Underlies GLI2-Mediated Regulation of Ig Secretion in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia Cells..  Journal of Immunology.  195:2908-2916. 2015
    2015 The oncogenic transcription factor IRF4 is regulated by a novel CD30/NF-κB positive feedback loop in peripheral T-cell lymphoma..  Blood.  125:3118-3127. 2015
    2014 The transcription factor GLI1 interacts with SMAD proteins to modulate transforming growth factor β-induced gene expression in a p300/CREB-binding protein-associated factor (PCAF)-dependent manner..  Journal of Biological Chemistry.  289:15495-15506. 2014
    2013 Activation of the transcription factor GLI1 by WNT signaling underlies the role of SULFATASE 2 as a regulator of tissue regeneration..  Journal of Biological Chemistry.  288:21389-21398. 2013
    2012 Novel AKT1-GLI3-VMP1 pathway mediates KRAS oncogene-induced autophagy in cancer cells..  Journal of Biological Chemistry.  287:25325-25334. 2012
    2012 The transcription factor GLI1 mediates TGFβ1 driven EMT in hepatocellular carcinoma via a SNAI1-dependent mechanism..  PLoS ONE.  7:e49581. 2012
    2011 Comprehensive analysis of tumor microenvironment cytokines in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia identifies CCL5 as a novel modulator of IL-6 activity..  Blood.  118:5540-5549. 2011
    2011 GLI2 transcription factor mediates cytokine cross-talk in the tumor microenvironment..  Journal of Biological Chemistry.  286:21524-21534. 2011
    2011 MicroRNA expression in tumor cells from Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia reflects both their normal and malignant cell counterparts..  Blood Cancer Journal.  1:e24. 2011
    2010 The oncogenic effect of sulfatase 2 in human hepatocellular carcinoma is mediated in part by glypican 3-dependent Wnt activation..  Hepatology.  52:1680-1689. 2010
    2009 Inhibition of the Jak/Stat Pathway Downregulates Immunoglobulin Production and Induces Cell Death in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia..  Blood.  114:1691-1691. 2009
    2009 Monocytes promote tumor cell survival in T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders and are impaired in their ability to differentiate into mature dendritic cells..  Blood.  114:2936-2944. 2009
    2009 Cytokines in the microenvironment of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia..  Clinical Lymphoma and Myeloma.  9:43-45. 2009
    2008 CDDO-imidazolide mediated inhibition of malignant cell growth in Waldenström macroglobulinemia..  Leukemia Research.  32:1895-1902. 2008
    2008 Comprehensive Analysis of the Waldenström Macroglobulinemia “Cytokine Milieu” Reveals a Novel Role of Rantes Signaling in the Regulation of Immunoglobulin Production.  Blood.  112:618-618. 2008
    2008 Monocytes Promote Survival of Malignant T Cells in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma and Are Recruited to the Tumor Microenvironment by CCL5 (RANTES).  Blood.  112:378-378. 2008
    2008 miRNA Analysis Identifies a Unique Expression in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia B Cells and Plasma Cells.  Blood.  112:620-620. 2008
    2007 Multiplex Analysis of Serum Cytokine Levels in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia Patients..  Blood.  110:2616-2616. 2007
    2007 Role of CCL5 and Interleukin-6 in the Biology of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia..  Blood.  110:688-688. 2007
    2006 Generation of tumoricidal PAX3 peptide antigen specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes..  International Journal of Cancer.  119:126-132. 2006
    2006 Selective activation of TACI by syndecan-2..  Blood.  107:3235-3242. 2006
    2006 B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) stimulates immunoglobulin production and malignant B-cell growth in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia..  Blood.  107:2882-2888. 2006
    2005 Recognition of six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate-expressing tumor cells by peptide antigen-induced cytotoxic T lymphocytes..  Clinical Cancer Research.  11:4545-4552. 2005
    2004 T-cell epitope peptide vaccines..  Expert Review of Vaccines.  3:563-575. 2004
    2004 Murine gamma-herpesvirus-68-induced IL-12 contributes to the control of latent viral burden, but also contributes to viral-mediated leukocytosis..  Journal of Immunology.  172:516-524. 2004
    2003 Exacerbation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in rodents infected with murine gammaherpesvirus-68..  European Journal of Immunology.  33:1849-1858. 2003
    2003 Reduced CTL response and increased viral burden in substance P receptor-deficient mice infected with murine gamma-herpesvirus 68..  Journal of Immunology.  170:2605-2612. 2003
    Bone marrow stromal cells interaction with titanium; effects of composition and surface modification.  PLoS ONE. 

    Article

    Year Title
    2025 Differential Gene Expression in the Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus Following Long-Access Methamphetamine Self-Administration in Male Rats 2025

    Chapter

    Year Title
    2020 GLI2-Mediated Inflammation in the Tumor Microenvironment..  Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 55-65. 2020
    2018 GLI Family Zinc Finger 2.  2077-2088. 2018
    2017 GLI Family Zinc Finger 2.  1-11. 2017
    2013 GLI2 (GLI family zinc finger 2).  Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology. 2013
    GLI2-mediated Inflammation in the Tumor Microenvironment.  55-65.

    Conference Paper

    Year Title
    2020 TLR-TRIF signaling induces GLI3 to modulate inflammation.  Journal of Immunology. 2020
    2020 GLI1/GLI2 Interaction Is Required for the Regulation of the Expression of GLI Target Genes in Pancreatic Cancer Cells.  Pancreas. 1433-1433. 2020
    2018 Abstract 193: The tumor microenvironment protects against ibrutinib but not rituximab-mediated control of Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) in vivo.  Cancer Research. 193-193. 2018
    2018 The tumor microenvironment protects against ibrutinib but not rituximab-mediated control of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) in vivo.  Cancer Research. 2018
    2016 The transcription factor GLI2 modulates CD40L expression in the tumor microenvironment.  Journal of Immunology. 2016
    2014 A Novel Mechanism of GLI2 Mediated Regulation of IgM Secretion in Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia.  Blood. 3006-3006. 2014
    2014 Novel Route towards Large Scale Synthesis of Bright, Water Dispersible Core-Shell Fluorescent Dye Doped Organosilicate Nanoparticles.  IEEE International Conference on Electro Information Technology. 562-566. 2014
    2014 Structural Differentiation of Common Bacteria Using Impedance Spectroscopy.  IEEE International Conference on Electro Information Technology. 518-523. 2014
    2013 GLI Transcription Factors Modulate IgM Secretion In Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia.  Blood. 1771-1771. 2013
    2013 GLI2 Transcription Factor Modulates CD40 Ligand Expression In Bone Marrow Stromal Cells.  Blood. 4271-4271. 2013
    2013 The Transcription Factor GLI3 Is a Novel Candidate Effector Of Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) Signaling In Monocytes.  Blood. 2269-2269. 2013
    2011 GLI Proteins Orchestrate the Cytokine Milieu in Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment.  Pancreas. 1309-1310. 2011
    2011 GLI1 PROMOTES HCC RECURRENCE PARTLY VIA INDUCTION OF THE EPITHELIAL-TO-MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION.  Hepatology. 1298A-1298A. 2011
    2011 GLI1 overexperssion contributes to HCC recurrence partly through the induction of SNAI1-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.  Cancer Research. B20-B20. 2011
    2010 GLI2, An Effector of the Hedgehog Pathway, Is a Novel Regulator of IL6 Oncogenic Function In the Tumor Microenvironment.  Blood. 269-269. 2010
    2010 GLI2, An Effector of the Hedgehog Pathway, Is a Novel Regulator of IL6 Oncogenic Function In the Tumor Microenvironment.  Blood. 613-613. 2010
    2010 A Novel PI3K-AKT-GLI3 Axis Activates the Machinery Controlling Autophagy in Pancreatic Cancer Cells.  Pancreas. 1331-1331. 2010
    2010 An Active AKT is Required for KRAS Modulation of GLI1 Activity in Pancreatic Cancer Cells.  Pancreas. 1307-1307. 2010
    2010 Molecular mechanisms underlying hedgehog-GLI oncogenic function via interaction with the TGF-beta-SMAD4 axis.  Cancer Research. 3917-3917. 2010
    2009 Inhibition of the Jak/Stat Pathway Downregulates Immunoglobulin Production and Induces Cell Death in Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia..  Blood. 674-674. 2009
    2008 Comprehensive Analysis of the Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia "Cytokine Milieu" Reveals a Novel Role of Rantes Signaling in the Regulation of Immunoglobulin Production.  Blood. 230-230. 2008
    2008 Monocytes Promote Survival of Malignant T Cells in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma and Are Recruited to the Tumor Microenvironment by CCL5.  Blood. 146-147. 2008
    2008 miRNA Analysis Identifies a Unique Expression in Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia B Cells and Plasma Cells.  Blood. 231-231. 2008
    2007 Multiplex analysis of serum cytokine levels in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia patients.  Blood. 770A-770A. 2007
    2006 Preferential inhibition of malignant cell growth by CDDO in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia..  Blood. 715A-715A. 2006
    2005 Role of B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia..  Blood. 178A-179A. 2005
    2003 Murine gammaherpesvirus 68-induced IL-12 contributes to the control of latent viral burden, but also contributes to viral-mediated leukocytosis.  The FASEB Journal. C158-C158. 2003
    2003 Reduced CTL response and increased viral burden in substance P receptor deficient mice infected with murine gammaherpesvirus 68.  The FASEB Journal. C303-C303. 2003
    Copper Doped Tricalcium Phosphate; Phase Composition and in vitro Interaction with Osteoblast Cells
    Effects of Copper on Physical, Mechanical, and Biological Properties of Brushite Cement
    Targeting Bromodomain and external domain epigenetic reader protein as effective strategy for double hit and triple-hit B-cell lymphoma

    Principal Investigator On

    Investigator On

    Other Research Activities

    Teaching Activities

  • Doctoral Research Taught course
  • Healthcare Professions Seminar Taught course
  • Honors Senior Thesis Taught course
  • Honors Senior Thesis Taught course
  • Honors Senior Thesis Taught course
  • Immunology Taught course
  • Immunology Taught course
  • Immunology Laboratory Taught course
  • Immunology Laboratory Taught course
  • Investigations Biomedical Sci Taught course
  • Undergrad Teaching Experience Taught course
  • Doctoral Research Taught course 2024
  • Healthcare Professions Seminar Taught course 2024
  • Honors Senior Thesis Taught course 2024
  • Immunology Taught course 2024
  • Immunology Taught course 2024
  • Immunology Laboratory Taught course 2024
  • Immunology Laboratory Taught course 2024
  • Invest in Molecular & Cell Bio Taught course 2024
  • Principles of Cell Biology Taught course 2024
  • Senior Honors Thesis Taught course 2024
  • Doctoral Thesis Taught course 2023
  • Doctoral Thesis Taught course 2022
  • Healthcare Professions Seminar Taught course 2022
  • Immunology Taught course 2022
  • Immunology Laboratory Taught course 2022
  • Immunology Laboratory Taught course 2022
  • Persp Biochem/Mole&Cell Bio Taught course 2022
  • Principles of Cell Biology Taught course 2022
  • Principles of Cell Biology Taught course 2022
  • Undergrad Teaching Experience Taught course 2022
  • Doctoral Thesis Taught course 2022
  • Senior Honors Thesis Taught course 2022
  • Doctoral Dissertation Research Taught course 2021
  • Doctoral Thesis Taught course 2021
  • Healthcare Professions Seminar Taught course 2021
  • Immunology Taught course 2021
  • Immunology Taught course 2021
  • Immunology Laboratory Taught course 2021
  • Immunology Laboratory Taught course 2021
  • Senior Honors Thesis Taught course 2021
  • Special Investigations Taught course 2021
  • Student Research Experience Taught course 2021
  • Doctoral Thesis Taught course 2021
  • Ethical Issues in Biomed Sci Taught course 2021
  • Honors Senior Thesis Taught course 2021
  • Doctoral Thesis Taught course 2020
  • Honors Senior Thesis Taught course 2020
  • Immunology Taught course 2020
  • Immunology Laboratory Taught course 2020
  • Immunology Laboratory Taught course 2020
  • Immunology Laboratory Taught course 2020
  • Adv Rsrch Exp/MCBS Taught course 2020
  • Doctoral Thesis Taught course 2020
  • Ethical Issues in Biomed Sci Taught course 2020
  • Rsrch Exp/MCBS Taught course 2020
  • Adv Rsrch Exp/MCBS Taught course 2019 - 2020
  • Doctoral Thesis Taught course 2019
  • Immunology Taught course 2019
  • Immunology Laboratory Taught course 2019
  • Immunology Laboratory Taught course 2019
  • Immunology Laboratory Taught course 2019
  • Doctoral Thesis Taught course 2019
  • Ethical Issues in Biomed Sci Taught course 2019
  • Doctoral Thesis Taught course 2018
  • Immunology Taught course 2018
  • Immunology Laboratory Taught course 2018
  • Immunology Laboratory Taught course 2018
  • Immunology Laboratory\Honors Taught course 2018
  • Immunology Laboratory\Honors Taught course 2018
  • Doctoral Research Taught course 2018
  • Ethical Issues in Biomed Sci Taught course 2018
  • Doctoral Research Taught course 2017
  • Immunology Taught course 2017
  • Immunology Laboratory Taught course 2017
  • Immunology Laboratory Taught course 2017

    • Full Name

  • Sherine Elsawa

    • Mailing Address

  • University of New Hampshire

    MCBS

    46 College Rd

    Durham, NH  03824

    United States