Abstract
The Rosalind Franklin Society (RFS), in partnership with Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers, enthusiastically congratulate our distinguished recipient of the 2022 annual
Philip Duodu, Geohaira Sosa, Jorge Canar, Olivia Chhugani, and Ana M. Gamero, “Exposing the Two Contrasting Faces of STAT2 in Inflammation,” Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research 42, no. 9 (September 2022): 467–481,
Abstract
Inflammation is a natural immune defense mechanism of the body's response to injury, infection, and other damaging triggers. Uncontrolled inflammation may become chronic and contribute to a range of chronic inflammatory diseases. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 2 (STAT2) is an essential transcription factor exclusive to type I and type III interferon (IFN) signaling pathways. Both pathways are involved in multiple biological processes including powering the immune system as a means of controlling infection that must be tightly regulated to offset the development of persistent inflammation. While studies depict STAT2 as protective in promoting host defense, new evidence is accumulating that exposes the deleterious side of STAT2 when inappropriately regulated, thus prompting its re-evaluation as a signaling molecule with detrimental effects in human disease. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the findings based on literature regarding the inflammatory behavior of STAT2 in microbial infections, cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. In conveying the extent of our knowledge of STAT2 as a pro-inflammatory mediator, the aim of this review is to stimulate further investigations into the role of STAT2 in diseases characterized by deregulated inflammation and the mechanisms responsible for triggering severe responses.
Biosketch
Dr. Ana Gamero is an associate professor with tenure in the department of medical genetics and molecular biochemistry at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. She holds a PhD in immunology and microbiology from the University of South Florida. She pursued postdoctoral training at the Cleveland Clinic, where she studied the antitumor signaling cascade of type I interferons. Dr. Gamero then built a research program at the National Cancer Institute as a recipient of a Career Development Award to study the role of the transcription factor STAT2 in cancer and inflammation. Since 2008, Dr. Gamero has been a faculty member at Temple University. She holds a secondary appointment in the department of cancer and cell biology and is a member of the Fox Chase Cancer Center. She has published over 50 papers and has mentored over 70 students from high schoolers to postdoctoral fellows. Currently she is cochapter faculty advisor for the Latinx Medical Student Association, serves on several school committees, and is faculty scholar in the Office of Health, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.