Jaebok Choi, PhD

Assistant Professor

Phone: 314-362-9349
Fax: 314-362-1953
Email: jchoi25@nospam.wustl.edu

Address:
Division of Oncology
Mail Stop 8007-0057-07
Washington University
660 South Euclid Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110

Room 731 Southwest Tower (office)
Room 724 Southwest Tower (lab)
Ph: 314-273-0153 (lab)

Research Interests

Research

The goal of my research program is to identify novel genes whose genetic/pharmacologic blockade may selectively prevent graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) while maintaining or enhancing graft- versus-leukemia (GvL) effects (aka anti-leukemia activities of donor graft).

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is the only curative treatment for patients with relapsed/refractory leukemia and marrow failure states such as myelodysplasia and aplastic anemia. The therapeutic benefits of allo-HCT for these patients depend on GvL effects mediated by mature T cells present in the donor graft. Unfortunately, the same donor T cells that mediate the beneficial GvL effect can also cause GvHD. Both GvHD and GvL occur when T cells transplanted from a non-identical donor (the graft) recognize the transplant recipient (the host) and tumors as foreign, thereby initiating an immune reaction in the transplant recipient. Because of a strong association between GvHD and GvL, these two donor T cell-mediated immunologic effects of allo-HCT are difficult to separate. Thus, finding a means to harness the GvL activity of T cells while eliminating their tendency to cause GvHD is a major clinical goal in the allo-HCT field.

To achieve this goal, we have three distinct but closely related projects.

Modulation of immune cell trafficking to GvHD target organs vs leukemia cells by targeting interferon gamma receptor and integrins.
Role of JAK-STAT signaling in GvHD and tissue restoration.
Genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screens: The mechanisms by which allogeneic donor T cells differentially modulate GvHD and GvL remain largely unknown. This gap in our mechanistic understanding hinders our ability to specifically prevent/treat GvHD. We hypothesize that the genes we identify as being differentially associated with donor T cells that infiltrate tumors versus GvHD organs will be critical targets for the prevention of GvHD without negatively affecting GvL.

Profiles (publications)

Biosketch

Education & Training

2006-2001: PhD in Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Advisor: Anna P. Newman, PhD
2001-1999: MA in Molecular Genetics, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE
- Advisor: Bruce A. Chase, PhD
1996-1990: BS in Genetic Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
- (10/1993-03/1991: mandatory military service in Korea)
2009-2006: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- Advisor: John F. DiPersio, MD, PhD

Academic Positions & Employment

present-2018: Assistant Professor (Tenure Track), Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
2018-2012: Assistant Professor (Research Track), Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
2012-2009: Instructor, Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

Honors & Awards

2017: Amy Strelzer Manasevit Research Program Scholar, Be The Match Foundation and the National Marrow Donor Program
2015: Rays of Hope St. Baldrick’s Scholar, St. Baldrick’s Foundation
2012: Best Abstract Award, Hematopoietic Development & Malignancy Program Retreat, Washington University School of Medicine
2010: Keystone Symposia Scholarship/Award, Keystone Symposia: Developmental Origins and Epigenesis in Human Health and Disease, Singapore
2009: ASBMT Best Abstract Award for Basic Science Research, International BMT Tandem Meeting, Tampa, FL

Editorial Responsibilities

present-2022: Associate Editor, Frontiers in Immunology
present-2021: Reviewer Board, International Journal of Molecular Sciences
2022-2020: Guest Associate Editor, Frontiers in Immunology

Professional Societies & Organizations

present-2016: SIP grant reviewer, Siteman Investment Program Review Committee
present-2016: Faculty Member, Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy, Washington University
present-2010: Active Member, American Society of Hematology
present-2009: Research Associate Member, Siteman Cancer Center
present-2009: Member, Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences