Our research is to understand the signaling mechanisms that control the differentiation and function of T cells. Specifically, we are interested in the dendritic cell (DC)-mediated extrinsic control of T cell differentiation and function, by focusing on MAPK signaling pathways. We have used a combination of approaches including mouse genetics, cellular immunology and biochemistry, as well as models of autoimmune, allergic and infectious diseases (such as collagen-induced arthritis, multiple scoliosis, psoriasis, fungal infection and listeriosis, ect). Our results show that DCs employ p38a/MKP-1 signaling pathway to program different T cell lineage choices in various disease models (Huang et al. Immunity, 2011; Huang et al. Nat Immunol, 2012; Huang et al. J Immunol, 2013; Zheng et al. PNAS, 2018; Zheng et al. Sci Signal, 2018). We are also interested in the roles of cell type-specific MAPK in the pathogenesis of various disease models (Huang et al. Sci Signal, 2015; Shi et al. ATVB, 2017; Zhao et al. Front Immunol, 2018). Recently, we are exploring DC function in regulating inflammaging and characterizing the crosstalk between the circadian clock and innate immunity and inflammaging. Significant insight into the physiological roles of signaling pathways could impact our understanding of fundamental mechanisms of immune regulation and manifest legitimate therapeutic opportunities.