Projects per year
Personal profile
Research interests
Dr. Edward Harhaj’s research interests focus on the mechanisms of viral-induced malignancy by the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1). HTLV-1 is a retrovirus that primarily infects CD4+ T lymphocytes and is etiologically linked to adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and an inflammatory autoimmune-like neurological disorder known as HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Tax is a trans-activating protein encoded by the HTLV-1 genome that regulates viral and cellular gene expression. The underlying mechanisms of Tax-mediated oncogenesis are unclear and are the primary focus of research in this laboratory. One of the main cellular targets of Tax is the NF-kB/Rel transcription factor family, an important regulator of cell growth, survival and innate and adaptive immunity. NF-kB is constitutively activated in Tax-expressing cells, HTLV-1 transformed cell lines and ATL cells. Tax requires NF-kB for the immortalization of primary T cells and ATL cells are dependent on NF-kB for their survival. Thus, determining the mechanisms of Tax-mediated activation of NF-kB as well as Tax-independent NF-kB activation in ATL is a major focus in the laboratory. Dr. Harhaj’s laboratory is currently investigating the role of autophagy and ubiquitin pathway components in Tax activation of NF-kB.
Another active area of research in the Harhaj laboratory is to elucidate the mechanisms of the negative regulation of innate antiviral signaling pathways triggered by virus infection. The RIG-I-MAVS pathway senses RNA virus infection and induces type I interferon (IFN) and cell death to restrict virus infection. The cGAS-STING pathway senses cytoplasmic DNA and induces type I IFN in response to DNA virus infection. The Harhaj laboratory seeks to understand how these signaling pathways are regulated to facilitate the inhibition of virus replication, yet not trigger excessive inflammation and tissue damage.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Immunobiology, Postdoctoral Training, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
… → 2001
Microbiology and Immunology, PhD, Penn State College of Medicine
… → 1999
Biology, MS, Bucknell University
… → 1994
Biology, BA, Bucknell University
… → 1992
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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KDR/VEGFR2 regulation of HTLV-1 oncogenesis and viral gene expression
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
4/18/22 → 3/31/24
Project: Research project
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Negative regulation of innate immune signaling pathways by the selective autophagy receptor TAX1BP1
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
6/1/21 → 5/31/24
Project: Research project
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AIP inhibition of IRF7 and innate antiviral signaling
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
4/15/21 → 3/31/24
Project: Research project
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ZFAND6 regulation of innate antiviral immunity
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
3/16/20 → 2/28/21
Project: Research project
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Mechanisms of Innate Immune Sensing of HTLV-1 and Viral Immune Evasion
Mohanty, S. & Harhaj, E. W., May 2023, In: Pathogens. 12, 5, 735.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access -
Multifaceted roles of TAX1BP1 in autophagy
White, J., Suklabaidya, S., Vo, M. T., Choi, Y. B. & Harhaj, E. W., 2023, In: Autophagy. 19, 1, p. 44-53 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
6 Scopus citations -
Regulation of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 antisense promoter by myocyte enhancer factor-2C in the context of adult T-cell leukemia and lymphoma
Madugula, K. K., Joseph, J., DeMarino, C., Ginwala, R., Teixeira, V., Khan, Z. K., Sales, D., Wilson, S., Kashanchi, F., Rushing, A. W., Lemasson, I., Harhaj, E. W., Janakiram, M., Hilda Ye, B. & Jain, P., Dec 2022, In: Haematologica. 107, 12, p. 2928-2943 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access3 Scopus citations -
Lymphotropic viruses: Chronic inflammation and induction of cancers
Harhaj, E. W. & Shembade, N., Nov 2020, In: Biology. 9, 11, p. 1-15 15 p., 390.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access6 Scopus citations -
Mechanisms of oncogenesis by HTLV-1 tax
Mohanty, S. & Harhaj, E. W., Jul 2020, In: Pathogens. 9, 7, p. 1-28 28 p., 543.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access45 Scopus citations