Welcome to the
Wang Lab
Our Mission
First, we recently discovered the functional role of the tumor-derived GABA neurotransmitter in shaping immune responses and assessed the potential of anti-GABA and anti-PD-L1 combinational therapy for the treatment of lung cancer. Second, we are in the process of dissecting the functional role of NGF in melanoma and testing the potential of combinational therapy consisting of NGF pathway blockade and certain immunotherapies. Third, we are investigating the mechanism by which the chromatin regulator UHRF1 modulates the immunological features of lung cancer cells to impair their clearance by CD8+ effector T cells within the tumor microenvironment.1. Explore the interplay between tumor microenvironmental immune activity and the nervous system in the context of cancer immunotherapy.
We recently uncovered the THBD pathway as necessary for the initiation and maintenance of cellular senescence, with THBD induction also associated with the natural aging process as well as the development of liver fibrosis. We are further investigating the THBD pathway’s contribution to the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. In another project, we are assessing the role of intracellular accumulation of certain amino acids in the initiation of cellular senescence, with the goal of elucidating mechanisms responsible for the metabolic remodeling of senescent cells. 2. Explore molecular mechanisms underlying cellular senescence and age-related diseases with the objective of developing senolytic-based therapeutics.
