Innate immune effector functions and implications in human diseases

1.Investigate molecular mechanisms governing macrophage activation and polarization

2.Unravel regulatory mechanisms controlling functionality of intestinal epithelial cells

3.Discover novel therapeutic targets for autoimmune and inflammatory disorders

1.Xu H, Zhu J, Smith S, Foldi J, Zhao B, Chung AY, Outtz HH, Kitajewski J, Shi C, Weber S, Saftig P, Li YM, Ozato K, Blobel CP, Ivashkiv LB, Hu X. Notch-RBP-J signaling regulates IRF8 to promote inflammatory macrophage polarization. Nature Immunology 2012; 13:642-650

2.Shang Y, Coppo M, He T, Ning F, Yu L, Kang L, Zhang B, Ju C, Qiao Y, Zhao B, Gessler M, Rogatsky I, Hu X. The transcriptional repressor Hes1 attenuates inflammation by regulating transcription elongation. Nature Immunology 2016; 17:930-937

3.Liang S, Guo XK, Ou J, Huang R, Xue Q, Zhang B, Chung Y, Wu W, Dong C, Yang X, Hu X. Nutrient sensing by the intestinal epithelium orchestrates mucosal antimicrobial defense via translational control of Hes1. Cell Host & Microbe 2019; 25:706-718 (cover story accompanied by a preview article)

4.Ning F, Li Y, Yu L, Zhang B, Liu Y, Zhao B, Shang Y, Hu X. Transcription factor Hes1 attenuates type I interferon-mediated immune responses via VEGF-C and WDFY1. Journal of Experimental Medicine 2019; 216:1396-1410

5.Ji L, Zhao X, Zhang B, Kang L, Song W, Zhao B, Xie W, Chen L, Hu X. Slc6A8-mediated creatine uptake and accumulation reprogram macrophage polarization via regulating cytokine responses. Immunity 2019; 51:272-284

6.Hu X. Stereotyping in east and west: live with it or deal with it? Nature Immunology 2020; 21:234 (invited essay for the women scientist-focused issue)

7.Kang L, Zhang X, Ji L, Kou T, Smith SM, Zhao B, Guo X, Pineda-Torra I, Wu L, Hu X. The colonic macrophage transcription factor RBP-J orchestrates intestinal immunity against bacterial pathogens. Journal of Experimental Medicine 2020; 217(4):e20190762.

8.Yu L, Zhang B, Sacta MA, Rollins DA, Chinenov Y, Li R, Rogatsky I, Hu X. Negative elongation factor complex enables macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses by controlling expression of anti-inflammatory genes. Nature Communications 2020; 11(1):2286

9.Zhang X, Liu J, Wu L, Hu X. MicroRNAs of the miR-17~92 family maintain adipose tissue macrophage homeostasis by sustaining IL-10 expression. eLife 2020; 9:e55676