Laboratory of Barrier Immunity
School of Life Sciences, Fudan University
The Yu Lab is mainly interested in:
1.The influence of environmental factors (i.e. gut microbiota and circadian rhythms) on the development and function of T lymphocytes.
2.The long-range regulatory effects of T lymphocytes and cytokines on distal tissues.
3.Functional engineering of anti-tumor T lymphocytes.
T cells play a pivotal role in intestinal homeostasis, by sensing and responding to a large variety of intestinal stimuli such as the microbiota and dietary components. The responses not only defend the intestinal barrier but also orchestrate functions of other organs to cope with environmental changes. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. In the Yu Lab, we aim to decipher how T cells respond to intestinal stimuli and relay such information to distal organs such as the brain and liver through cytokines and neural pathways.
T Cell Responses to the Local Microenvironment
Differentiation and function of T cells are regulated by the local environment. The intestine provides a rich environment for T cells with abundant microbial products and dietary compounds. While microbial stimuli are necessary to initiate T cell responses, nutrients derived from foods or microbial fermentation play an important role in modulating T cell activation and functions through metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming. Here, we focus on disease-associated intestinal metabolites and study how they regulate T cell responses and participate in disease progression. The same strategy is also extended to the tumor microenvironment.
Remote Regulation by Intestinal T Cells
Intestinal T cells respond to local stimuli by differentiating into specific subtypes and producing characteristic cytokines. T cells and cytokines can then be delivered to distal organs such as the brain and liver through circulation and regulate their respective physiological functions. In addition, immune signals can also be perceived and relayed by enteric neurons, thereby influencing distal organs with the immune-neural axis. By profiling the expression of cytokine receptors, we are exploring the remote regulatory mechanisms by which intestinal T cells modulate functions of the brain, liver and adipose tissues.