Recently, a team led by Prof. Chen Xiang and Prof. Peng Cong published their four high-level papers in top international journals, including two published in Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, one in Theranostics and one in Molecular Therapy.
The paper “Lysophosphatidic acid mediates the pathogenesis of psoriasis by activating keratinocytes through LPAR5”, published inSignal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, first demonstrated the elevated level of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) in psoriasis patients, and revealed that keratinocytes were activated by LPA through LPAR5/PKD1 signaling pathway, contributing to the development of psoriasis. The original achievement provided additional strategy for diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis. Lei Li (PhD) and Yan Bei (Master candidate) from the hospital were noted as the co-first authors, and Prof. Peng Cong and Prof. Chen Xiang as the co-corresponding authors.
Molecular Mechanism of LPA Contributing to the Development of Psoriasis
The review “Pyroptosis: mechanisms and diseases” published on-line inSignal Transduction and Targeted Therapysystematically elucidated the recent advancement in the role of pyroptosis in the inflammation, tumor immunity and related diseases. The perspective of therapeutic intervention through pyroptosis regulation was also discussed in the paper. Yu Pian (doctoral candidate) was noted as the first independent author, with Prof. Peng Cong and Prof. Chen Xiang as the co-corresponding authors.
Based on the data obtained from mouse models of psoriasis and the patients, the original research article, “Metabolomic profiling reveals amino acid and carnitine alterations as metabolic signatures in psoriasis” published inTheranosticsrevealed metabolic characteristics of psoriasis, i.e., the dramatic change in the metabolism of essential amino acids (EAAs), branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) and carnitine. It also found that intervention of carnitine metabolism was associated with significant improvement of the disease, suggesting metabolic intervention may serve as a strategy for prevention and treatment of psoriasis. Chen Chao (doctoral candidate), Hou Guixue and Zeng Chunwei (both from BGI-Research) were noted as the co-first authors, with Prof. Peng Cong and Prof. Chen Xiang as the co-corresponding authors.
The paper “Inhibition of xCT suppresses the efficacy of anti-PD-1/L1 melanoma treatment through exosomal PD-L1-induced macrophage M2 polarization” published on-line inMolecular Therapyrevealed that up-regulated expression of PD-L1in melanoma was associated with the metabolic imbalance between glutamate and cystine via the transcription factor IRF4/EGR1. It promoted the release of exosomes carrying PD-L1 and induced M2 macrophage polarization, causing the failure of PD-1 treatment. It indicated that the metabolic balance between glutamate and cystine played an important role in immunity therapy, while the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy may be enhanced by targeted inhibition of the release of exosomes carrying PD-L1.Liu Nian (doctoral candidate) was noted as the first independent author, with Prof. Peng Cong and Prof. Chen Xiang as the co-corresponding authors.
It was reported that Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease and Xiangya Clinical Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy were all research institutes affiliated with Xiangya Hospital Central South University that focused on clinical practice. The research team was constantly committed to basic and translational research on major/important skin diseases, including skin cancer, psoriasis and allergic dermatosis. With the concept of “Science, Preciseness, Passion and Cooperation”, the faculty, including 18 scholars with postdoctor degree, 8 technicians, 46 doctoral candidates and 49 master candidates, have set up five national and provincial-level platforms, including the National Engineering Laboratory for Medical Big Data Application, the Ministry of Education's Research and Talent Introduction Base for Major Skin Disease Research and Hunan Dermatology and Venereology Prevention and Treatment Office. During the past five years, as many as 300 papers had been published in international authoritative journals like N Engl J Med,Cancer Cell,A dvanced Science, Sig Trans Tar Ther, Nat Commun, J Allergy Clin Immun, PNAS, Cancer Res, Molecular Therapy, Theranostics and Oncogene. More than 50 major/key research projects of national, provincial and ministerial level had been completed, and more than 30 patent rights, software copyrights and multiple provincial first prizes were granted.
Sources: Xiangya Hospital Central South University
