Scientific Publications

Tumor-associated antigens (TAA) are proteins expressed during the growth and development of tumor cells, and TAA autoantibodies (TAAbs) can be detected in the serum of lung cancer patients, which can be utilized in the early screening of lung cancer. Almost all the TAAbs applied for diagnosis are those elevated, however, there are still large numbers of autoantibodies detected to decrease in tumor serums, and their functions were rarely known. Diagnosing malignant small lung nodules (≤3cm) in CT scans remains a challenge in clinical practice.

• Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1538071/full

Infection with Influenza A virus (IAV) induces severe inflammatory responses and lung injury, contributing significantly to mortality and morbidity rates. Alterations in the microbial composition of the lungs and intestinal tract resulting from infection could influence disease progression and treatment outcomes. Xiyanping (XYP) injection has demonstrated efficacy in clinical treatment across various viral infections. However, its specific effects and mechanisms against IAV remain unclear. In this study, we established an IAV infection mice model, and utilized 16 S rRNA sequencing, RNA sequencing, protein chips, and molecular docking, to investigate the mechanisms of XYP injection on altering pulmonary and gut microbiota, and identifying its target sites.

• Link: https://virologyj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12985-025-02636-7

Cholestasis is a multifactorial hepatobiliary disorder, characterized by obstruction of bile flow and accumulation of bile, which in turn causes damage to liver cells and other tissues. In severe cases, it can result in the development of life-threatening conditions, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Paeoniflorin (PF) has been demonstrated to possess favourable therapeutic potential for the treatment of cholestasis. The objective of this research was to examine the molecular mechanism of PF in the treatment of ANIT-induced cholestasis and to propose novel avenues for further research on the pharmacological effects of PF. In vivo and in vitro models of cholestasis were developed.

• Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10753-025-02245-0

To date, no specific treatments have been developed for high-salt-induced hypertensive vascular damage, emphasizing the need to elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms for therapeutic innovation. Kaempferol (Kae), a natural flavonol belonging to the flavonoid family, has demonstrated significant vascular protective effects in previous studies. However, its impact on high-salt-induced hypertensive vascular injury remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the pharmacological effects and underlying mechanisms of Kae in mitigating hypertensive vascular damage.

• Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S175646462500026X?via%3Dihub

To explore the autoimmune component of sarcoid uveitis (SU) by analyzing serum anti-retinal antibodies (ARAs), identifying targeted retinal proteins, T- and B-cell receptor repertoires and HLA genotype.

• Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896841125000204?via%3Dihub

Target identification is crucial for drug screening and development because it can reveal the mechanism of drug action and ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results. Chemical biology, an interdisciplinary field combining chemistry and biology, can assist in this process by studying the interactions between active molecular compounds and proteins and their physiological effects. It can also help predict potential drug targets or candidates, develop new biomarker assays and diagnostic reagents, and evaluate the selectivity and range of active compounds to reduce the risk of off-target effects.

• Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/tcr.202400182

Recombination-activating gene 1 (RAG1) and RAG2 are required for V(D)J recombination, which directs mature B and T cell development and a fully functional adaptive immune system. Hypomorphic variants of the RAG genes in humans results in an array of immunodeficiencies, which all have distinct features for reasons not well understood. Bosticardo et al. performed a multiomics analysis of 157 patients with RAG deficiency who presented with a spectrum of disease phenotypes along with 135 age-matched controls. Analyzing blood, bone marrow, and other tissue biopsies, the authors found prominent signatures of immune dysregulation with both common and distinctive features in these patients. These findings may direct phenotype-specific therapeutic interventions before patients can receive definitive treatments.

• Link: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciimmunol.adq1697

The survival rate of patients with glioma has not significantly increased in recent years despite aggressive treatment and advances in immunotherapy. The limited response to treatments is partially attributed to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, in which regulatory T cells (Treg) play a pivotal role in immunologic tolerance. In this study, we investigated the impact of complement factor H (FH) on Tregs within the glioma microenvironment and found that FH is an ICOS ligand.

• Link: https://aacrjournals.org/cancerimmunolres/article/13/1/122/750794/Complement-Factor-H-Is-an-ICOS-Ligand-Modulating

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the most prescribed anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs. However, their use is often limited by substantial side effects, such as GC-induced osteoporosis (GIO) with the underlying mechanisms still not fully understood. In this study, we identify Tau as a low-affinity binding receptor for GCs that plays a crucial role in GIO. Tau deficiency largely abolished bone loss induced by high-dose dexamethasone, a synthetic GC, in both inflammatory arthritis and GIO models.

• Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41422-024-01016-0

Retrospective characterization of cell-cell relationships in the tumor microenvironment provides significantly better predictive power than PD-L1 expression, tumor mutational burden (TMB), or gene expression profiles. In this small study assessing the safety and possible efficacy of gemcitabine and pembrolizumab in immunotherapy-naïve patients with NSCLC who have received prior treatment, we investigated both standard and novel immune parameters on 16 enrolled patients.

• Link: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.12.20.24317919v1