Scientific Publications

Over 200,000 individuals in the United States alone live with Down Syndrome (DS), the most common genetic disorder associated with intellectual disability. DS has a constellation of features across the body, including dysregulation of the immune system. Individuals with DS have both a higher frequency of autoimmunity and more severe infections than the general population, highlighting the importance of understanding the immune system in this population. Individuals with DS present with dysregulation of both the innate and adaptive immune systems.

• Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/imr.13296

The role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC), has repeatedly been demonstrated. However, very few lncRNAs have been well annotated functionally. Our study identified a novel lncRNA upregulated in CRC, NONHSAT136151, which was correlated with clinical progression. In functional assays, NONHSAT136151 significantly enhanced CRC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Mechanistically, NONHSAT136151 interacted with RNA-binding protein (RBP) QKI (Quaking) to interfere with QKI binding to target mRNAs and regulate their expression.

• Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcmm.18068

We have previously isolated a highly mutated (83% homologous to predicted heavy chain germline) antibody (Ab) termed C group 76-Q13-6F5 (6F5) that targets a conformational epitope on gp41. 6F5, though non-neutralizing, has the capacity to mediate Ab dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC). When the variable chain (predicted to be VH1-02 derived) was mutated to germline (termed C group 76 ancestor, or 76Canc), surprisingly this Ab still exhibited significant ADCC activity.

• Link: https://academic.oup.com/ofid/article/10/Supplement_2/ofad500.346/7448046

Studying the potential etiology and pathogenesis of tuberculosis-associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (TOPD) from an autoimmunity perspective may provide insights into peripheral blood autoantibodies and immune cells, as well as their interactions.

• Link: https://www.dovepress.com/characteristics-of-serum-autoantibody-repertoire-and-immune-subgroup-v-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-COPD

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating disease that requires precise diagnosis for effective treatment. However, the diagnostic value of carbohydrate antigen 19 − 9 (CA19-9) is limited. Therefore, this study aims to identify novel tumor-associated autoantibodies (TAAbs) for PDAC diagnosis.

• Link: https://cancerci.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12935-023-03107-1

To evaluate the potential of zinc finger protein 1 (ZPR1) as a diagnostic biomarker and explore the underlying role for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). A human proteome microarray was customized to identify anti-ZPR1 autoantibody, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to assess the diagnostic performance of anti-ZPR1 autoantibody in 294 patients with ESCC and 294 normal controls.

• Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cas.16004

Clonorchiasis, caused by the infection of Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis), is a kind of neglected tropical disease, but it is highly related to cholangiocarcinoma. It has been well known that NO from chronic inflammation responses are thought to be a major component of the damage and ultimate carcinogenesis ESPs such as nitric oxide synthase interacting protein (NOSIP) are thought to enhance the damage. The objective of this study was to identify the protein candidates interact with recombinant CsNOSIP (rCsNOSIP) and explore their role involved in CCA development or progression.

• Link: https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0011727

Circulating senescent CD8+ T (T8sen) cells are characterized by a lack of proliferative capacities but retain cytotoxic activity and have been associated to resistance to immunotherapy in patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC). We aimed to better characterize T8sen and to determine which factors were associated with their accumulation in patients with aNSCLC. Circulating T8sen cells were characterized by a higher expression of SA-βgal and the transcription factor T-bet, confirming their senescent status. Using whole virome profiling, cytomegalovirus (CMV) was the only virus associated with T8sen. CMV was necessary but not sufficient to explain high accumulation of T8sen (T8senhigh status).

• Link: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adh0708

HuProt Autoantibodies: Patients with autoimmune polyendocrinopathy syndrome type 1 (APS-1) caused by autosomal recessive AIRE deficiency produce autoantibodies that neutralize type I interferons (IFNs)1,2, conferring a predisposition to life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia3. Here we report that patients with autosomal recessive NIK or RELB deficiency, or a specific type of autosomal-dominant NF-κB2 deficiency, also have neutralizing autoantibodies against type I IFNs and are at higher risk of getting life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia.

• Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06717-x

Short-lived proteins (SLiPs), defective ribosomal products (DRiPs), and Cancer’s dark matter/non-canonical peptides (NCP) are unstable and rapidly degraded, loaded onto MHC and represent a large proportion of the epitopes presented by cancer cells. Recent data suggests that NCP may play a role in molecular control of some malignant processes, further strengthening the rationale for characterizing their presence and developing pharmacologic and immunologic approaches to impact their effect [PMID: 37040070].

• Link: https://jitc.bmj.com/content/11/Suppl_1/A168