Our research seeks to uncover how tissue-resident lymphocytes and their surrounding tissue niches shape organ health and drive chronic disease in the lung and brain. Unlike circulating immune cells that continuously traffic through the bloodstream, tissue-resident innate and innate-like lymphocytes establish long-term residence within non-lymphoid organs, where they are uniquely positioned to sense local cues and rapidly respond to changes in their environment. By continuously communicating with stromal and structural cells and releasing effector molecules, these immune cells can reshape their local microenvironment and profoundly influence tissue homeostasis and organ function.
Our lab has uncovered novel immune–stromal crosstalk in asthma and reveal dynamic interactions among innate lymphoid cells, innate-like T cells, and adaptive lymphocytes. We have also identified ectopic plasma cell niches sustained by disease-associated mural cells and fibroblasts, highlighting how pathological tissue niches can actively organize and sustain chronic immune responses. In addition, we have pioneered studies of innate and innate-like lymphocytes at the brain barriers, revealing previously unrecognized immune populations and mechanisms at the interface between the immune system and the central nervous system.
Our overarching goal is to map and decode the cellular ecosystems that connect immunity, tissue structure, and organ function. By defining how stromal and immune cells communicate within specialized tissue niches, we aim to uncover fundamental mechanisms governing tissue homeostasis, fibrosis, and chronic inflammation—and ultimately identify new therapeutic opportunities for severe asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and neurodegeneration.
Current research directions include:
- Decoding lung-resident lymphocytes in pulmonary disorders: defining how tissue-resident innate and innate-like lymphocytes and their stromal niches sustain persistent inflammation, with a particular focus on steroid-resistant severe asthma.
- Uncovering immune mechanisms at the brain barriers: determining how brain-associated innate and innate-like lymphocytes communicate with the neural and vascular environment to regulate cognitive function and contribute to neurodegeneration.