Research Interests:
Our longterm goal is to find a way to clear the virus from the human body. Our studies in Chinese macaques have aimed to examine: 1) viral cellular targets and role of innate immune response in acute SARS-CoV infection and dissemination; 2) adaptive immune response in control of virus replication and lung pathogenesis. Using the knowledge gained from SARS project, currently, we are studying the host factors involved in immune dysfunction, establishment and maintenance of virus reservoirs using a HIV mice model. Relatedly, we have also been studying the host factors involved in the dysregulated lymphocyte function and cytokine production during the pathogenesis of AIDS using blood samples from HIV infected patients. In particular, we are interested in the role of HIV nef in regulating PD-1 and its isoform protein expression in immune cells and how they contribute to dysregulated immune response. We previously constructed DC targeting vaccines, which induced robust T cell immunity in mice.
Focus on:
1) Host factors involved in AIDS and SARS disease progression
2) Vaccine design and innate immune response in shaping potent T cell immunity
3) Understanding HIV latency and drug discovery