The nervous system and immune system are critical for the homeostatic maintenance and health of the body. While these two systems have traditionally been studied separately, it is increasingly clear that these two complex systems are intricately linked at the functional level, contributing to the recognition, avoidance, response, memory, and other processes related to external and internal danger signals thereby regulating host physiology and pathology. More and more studies indicate that neurons can modulate immune responses by releasing various neurotransmitters, and at the same time immune cells can secrete cytokines and chemokines that impact the development and function of the nervous system. However, the role and mechanism of neuroimmune interactions is still obscure. 

We are aiming to decipher the role of neuroimmune interactions in maintaining mucosal tissue homeostasis and disease pathogenesis, by taking advantage of interdisciplinary approaches combining neuroscience, immunology, microbiology, and so on. Our recent work suggests that visceral pain not only serves as a neural signal warning the host of mucosal damages and the invasion of pathogens but also regulates the function of intestinal goblet cells to maintain mucosal homeostasis and protect the body from inflammatory bowel diseases. Moreover, our work has revealed the important role of the symbiotic microbial community in regulating the cytokine-mediated inflammatory network and the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Our future study will be centralized on understanding how the "brain-gut axis" works in particular how the nervous system, immune system and microbiota interact with each other, and role of these interactions in both homeostasis and disease conditions. We are particularly fascinated by the following questions: 

a. What is the role and mechanism of the nervous system in regulating mucosal immunity. 

b. How does the immune system shape the development and rewiring of the nervous system. 

c. Whether and how the microbiota is involved in the regulation of neuroimmune interactions. 

d. How to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches by targeting neuroimmune interactions. 

Postdoctoral researchers, graduate students and research assistants who are interested in the neuroimmune research are always welcome to join our group!