Rocio Sanchez Alvarez

Dr. Rocio Sanchez Alvarez

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RARocio Sanchez Alvarez
Rocio Sanchez Alvarez
CGClaudia Gottier
Claudia Gottier
AMAna Montalban-Arques
Ana Montalban-Arques
ABAnna Bircher
Anna Bircher
DPDoris Pöhlmann
Doris Pöhlmann
MSMichael Scharl
Michael Scharl
Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are key regulators of intracellular signaling cascades involved in cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, and cancer. PTPN23, a non-receptor PTP, is involved in endosomal sorting and thereby regulates the internalization of growth factor receptors, such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). PTPN23 has been proposed to exert tumor-suppressive effects in several epithelial cancers, including breast and lung cancer. PTPN23 is ubiquitously expressed in the body; however, it is particularly highly expressed in the intestine, where it plays an essential role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Despite these observations, its involvement in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) remains largely unexplored. To investigate the function of PTPN23 in CRC, we generated PTPN23-overexpressing CRC cell lines and evaluated their effects in vitro and in subcutaneous tumor models. Our in-vitro findings demonstrate that PTPN23 overexpression resulted in reduced proliferation levels and follow-up experiments showed suppression of colorectal cancer growth and proliferation in experimental CRC models. These effects were accompanied by changes in EGFR-associated signaling; however, the underlying mechanism, including a potential role of EGFR trafficking, remains to be established through direct experimental validation. Together, these findings expand current knowledge of PTPN23 in colorectal cancer and provide a basis for future studies addressing its biological function and therapeutic relevance.

18 September 2026 in Cells
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RARocio Sanchez Alvarez
Rocio Sanchez Alvarez
MDMadita Determann
Madita Determann
LLLuise Linzmeier
Luise Linzmeier
MWMarijn Ina Maria Wilmink
Marijn Ina Maria Wilmink
MWMaria Walker
Maria Walker
MSMichael Scharl
Michael Scharl
T-cells are major therapeutic targets in cancer and immune-mediated diseases. Their development and differentiation require highly dynamic receptor turnover. Protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 23 (PTPN23) encodes a ubiquitously expressed pseudophosphatase involved in trafficking and internalization of specific cell receptors. Although PTPN23 has essential functions in several cell types, its role in T-cells remains unknown. We therefore investigated the role of PTPN23 in T-cells. We generated transgenic mice lacking PTPN23 specifically in T-cells (PTPN23-CD4-Cre). Flow cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and proteomic analysis were performed in lymphoid and mucosal organs. PTPN23-CD4-Cre mice exhibited a significant reduction in total T-cell numbers in lymphoid organs, accompanied by increased proportions and numbers of γδ T-cells and markedly reduced naïve T-cells. Similar findings were made in mucosal organs, with γδ T-cell levels rising as age increased. In vitro functional assays revealed that residual PTPN23-CD4-Cre T-cells display an altered cytokine profile enriched for inflammatory mediators, a finding that was accompanied by proteomic and phosphoproteomic alterations consistent with changes in T-cell differentiation and inflammatory programs. scRNA-seq analysis showed altered representation of thymocytes along a shared developmental trajectory, with enrichment of PTPN23-deficient T-cells at earlier developmental states. Our study identifies PTPN23 as a previously unrecognized player of T-cell development, differentiation, and immune homeostasis.