Sushmita Sinha, Ph.D.

Contact

ssinha2@twu.edu
940-898-2400
SRC 304I

Biography

Sushmita Sinha is an Assistant Professor at the Biology Department at Texas Women's University. She completed post-doctoral training at the Oregon health and Science University and at the UT Southwestern Medical Center. After working at the University of Iowa, Dr. Sinha joined the faculty at TWU. The major goal of her lab is to understand the regulation of effector responses from human T-cells with the focus of finding novel therapeutic targets for autoimmunity.

Education

Ph.D., Microbiology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
M.Sc., Biotechnology, Dr BR Ambedkar University, Agra, India

Research Interests

Immunology; Immune Dysregulation; Autoimmunity

Latest Articles

IL-12-Induced Immune Suppressive Deficit During CD8+ T-Cell Differentiation
Frontiers in Immunology (2020)
Pranav S Renavikar, Sushmita Sinha, Ashley A Brate, Nicholas Borcherding, Michael p Crawford

CD4 T cell-intrinsic role for the T helper 17 signature cytokine IL17: Effector resistance to immune suppression.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2020)
Michael P Crawford, Sushmita Sinha, Renavikar PS , Borcherding N , Karandikar NJ

Altered expression of SIRPg on the T-cells of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes patients could potentiate effector responses from T-cells.
PLoS ONE (2020)
Sushmita Sinha, Renavikar PS , Crawford MP , Tsalikian E , Tansey M

Autoimmunity-associated intronic SNP (rs2281808) detected by a simple phenotypic assay: Unique case or broader opportunity?
Clinical Immunology (2019)
Sushmita Sinha, Renavikar PS , Crawford MP , Rodgers JW , Tsalikian E

Autoimmune disease risk SNP rs2281808 in Sirpg is associated with heightened effector state and greater cytotoxic potential in human CD8 T-cells.
Scientific Reports (2018)
Sushmita Sinha, Borcherding N , Renavikar PS , Crawford MP , Tsalikian E

Suppression of autoimmune demyelinating disease by preferential stimulation of CNS-specific CD8 T cells using Listeria-encoded neuroantigen
Scientific Reports (2017)
Farah Itani, Sushmita Sinha, Ashley A Brate, L L Pewe

Current Projects

The overarching goal of my research program is to identify the mechanisms that regulate effector responses in human T cells during inflammation and autoimmunity. We utilize a variety of immunological, cell culture, and molecular biology assays to achieve this goal. Currently, there are three interconnected projects actively being pursued in the laboratory:

1. A novel role of Signal Regulatory Protein Gamma (SIRPγ) as a checkpoint regulator in human T cells: This NIH funded project investigates the role of SIRPγ, a member of the Signal Regulatory Protein (SIRP) family, in modulating T cell activation and immune responses. We aim to identify how SIRPγ functions as a checkpoint regulator, influencing T cell tolerance, activation thresholds, and responses during inflammation and autoimmune conditions. Using cell-based assays, flow cytometry, and molecular profiling, and in vivo models we explore its potential as a therapeutic target in immune regulation.
2. The role of a GPCR in autoimmunity and cancer: This project focuses on a specific G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) involved in regulating T cell responses in autoimmune diseases and cancer. We aim to understand how this GPCR influences T cell migration, activation, and differentiation in disease settings. By utilizing in vitro and in vivo models, we investigate its impact on immune cell behavior, with the goal of developing targeted therapies for autoimmune disorders and cancer immunotherapy.
3. Molecular mechanisms underlying memory populations in human T cells: This project explores the molecular pathways that regulate the formation, maintenance, and function of memory T cells in humans. We focus on how different signaling molecules, and transcription factors influence the differentiation of memory T cells. Using single-cell RNA sequencing and other advanced techniques, we aim to uncover key factors that contribute to the longevity and specificity of memory T cell responses.

Externally Funded Projects

SIRPgamma: a novel checkpoint regulator of effector responses from human T-cells Year 3 of 3
GOV-National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (NIAID) | $95,000.00 | 2025
Role: Principal Investigator

SIRPgamma: a novel checkpoint regulator of effector responses from human T-cells Year 2 of 3
GOV-National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (NIAID) | $95,000.00 | 2024
Role: Principal Investigator

SIRPgamma: a novel checkpoint regulator of effector responses from human T-cells Year 1 of 3
GOV-National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (NIAID) | $95,000.00 | 2023
Role: Principal Investigator

Internally Funded Projects

Chancellor Research Fellow Program
GOV-Texas Woman's University | $5,000.00 | 2022
Research Grant

Research enhancement award
Texas Woman's University | $10,000.00 | 2020
Research Grant

Research enhancement award FA2020
Texas Woman's University | $10,000.00 | 2020
Research Grant