Luc Van Kaer Archives

Study may lead to new diabetes, heart disease treatments

Jan. 12, 2023—Vanderbilt research found that deletion of an autophagy-participating factor named PIK3C3 from the fat cells of mice led to compromised body temperature control, abnormal blood lipid levels, fatty liver and diabetes.

Luc Van Kaer, PhD, left, Luke Postoak and colleagues have identified a protein that is key to the “education” of immature T cells in the thymus.

Study identifies key player in T cell “education”

Sep. 1, 2022—New Vanderbilt research could inform therapeutic strategies for enhancing thymic function when desired — such as during aging, recovery from radiation therapy or chemotherapy, or other conditions that reduce T cell output.

Less inflammation = better healing

Oct. 17, 2019—Immune cells that produce an anti-inflammatory factor are enriched in fat tissue around the heart and may be good targets to improve heart attack outcomes.

15 faculty members elected as AAAS fellows

Nov. 20, 2017—Fifteen Vanderbilt faculty members conducting a range of biomedical and clinical research have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Six of the 15 have received funding through the university’s Trans-Institutional Programs initiative, which facilitates research and teaching collaborations across disciplines and are a core pillar of the university’s Academic Strategic Plan.

Immune responses linked to cell’s recycling system

Jul. 20, 2017—Autophagy is the cellular equivalent of trash pickup and recycling — it is a process by which proteins, protein aggregates and damaged cellular organelles are degraded in order to reuse nutrients and promote cellular metabolism.

Lymphocyte study reveals obesity clues

Oct. 16, 2014—Vanderbilt University researchers are closer to understanding the link between obesity, chronic inflammation and type 2 diabetes.

Immune cells that guard against ingested pathogens discovered

Oct. 9, 2014—Vanderbilt investigators have discovered a new type of immune cell residing in the intestinal epithelium that may function as a first line of defense against ingested pathogens.

Probing intestinal immune cell roles

Aug. 28, 2013—A new in vitro system will allow investigators to explore how immune system T cells develop specialized functions.

Event celebrates Vanderbilt endowed chair holders

Aug. 30, 2012—Twelve Vanderbilt University faculty members were honored for extraordinary contributions to their respective fields during an Aug. 28 celebration of endowed chair holders at the Student Life Center.