A study of roles of RNA helicase UPF1 in adipose tissue macrophages

The aim of this research is to uncover the roles of RNA helicase UPF1 in adipose tissue macrophages. Inflammation is mediated by proinflammatory cytokines and cytokine expression is tightly regulated in innate immune cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells controlling their activation and maturation. Cytokine mRNA expression is controlled at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, and post-transcriptional damping of cytokine expression is a critical step for resolution of inflammation and prevention of unintended tissue damage. However, the mechanisms of RNA metabolism in adipose tissue macrophages is not clear. Thus, the aim of this research project is to investigate the molecular mechanisms of RNA metabolism in adipose tissue macrophages.