Publisher: Biomedical Translational Research Institute  

Date: September 6, 2024  

Researcher Yang Meixiang from the Biomedical Translational Research Institute has made significant contributions to the understanding of innate immune cell regulation with her recent publications in top international journals. Working alongside Professor Dong Zhongjun's team from Anhui Medical University, Yang's research focuses on the metabolic and transcriptional regulation mechanisms critical to the development and functionality of natural killer (NK) cells.

(Screenshot of paper)

NK cells play a vital role in host antiviral and anti-tumor immunity. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern their development and functional regulation is a key area of interest in immunology.

Recent Publications

On July 19, the collaborative team published their paper titled Hippokinases Mst1 and Mst2 Maintaining NK Cell Homeostasis by Modulating Metabolic State and Transcriptional Activity in *Cell Death and Disease*. This research adds to their previously published works in *Cancer Immunology Research* and other prestigious journals, elucidating novel mechanisms involved in NK cell development and function.

These recent findings greatly expand the metabolic and transcriptional regulatory profiles of NK cells, complementing earlier studies conducted by the team, which trace back to 2014 publications in esteemed journals like *Journal of Experimental Medicine* and *Nature Communications*. Together, these studies provide a robust experimental foundation for advancing NK cell biology and suggest new therapeutic targets for related diseases.

Support and Future Directions

The research efforts have been supported by significant funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Guangdong Provincial Basic and Applied Basic Research Fund, highlighting the importance of continued investment in innovative biomedical research.

For further details on the latest research articles, please refer to the following links: 

- [Cell Death and Disease article] (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-024-06828-x)  

- [Cancer Immunology Research article] (https://doi.org/10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-23-0944)