Publications by authors named "Siji Li"

Mitochondria serve as a platform for innate immune signaling transduction, and mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) is essential for interferon-β (IFN-β) production and innate antiviral immunity against RNA viruses. Here, we identified zinc finger-containing ubiquitin peptidase 1 (ZUFSP/ZUP1) as a MAVS-interacting protein by using proximity-based labeling technology in HEK293T and found it could act as a positive regulator of the retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptors(RLRs), including RIG-I and interferon-induced helicase C domain-containing protein 1 (MDA5). ZUFSP deficiency markedly inhibited RNA virus-triggered induction of downstream antiviral genes, and Zufsp-deficient mice were more susceptible to RNA virus infection.

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Article Synopsis
  • A quick response of antiviral genes is essential for fighting off viruses, which depends on activated transcription factors and open chromatin for effective gene transcription.
  • XAF1 was identified as a key player that helps regulate chromatin accessibility during viral infections by de-repressing chromatin and facilitating the induction of antiviral genes.
  • Mice lacking XAF1 showed vulnerability to RNA viruses, highlighting its critical role in enhancing antiviral immunity through chromatin remodeling.
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Purpose: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression is complex. There are not standardized methods for predicting the prognosis of CKD. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) has been shown to be associated with renal fibrosis.

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Regulation of chromatin structure and accessibility determines the transcription activities of genes, which endows the host with function-specific patterns of gene expression. Upon viral infection, the innate immune responses provide the first line of defense, allowing rapid production of variegated antiviral cytokines. Knowledge on how chromatin accessibility is regulated during host defense against viral infection remains limited.

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The innate immune system is the first line of host defense, which responds rapidly to viral infection. Innate recognition of viruses is mediated by a set of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that sense viral genomic nucleic acids and/or replication intermediates. PRRs are mainly localized either to the endosomes, the plasma membrane or the cytoplasm.

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Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, characterized by relapsing and remitting colon mucosal inflammation. For patients suffering from UC, a higher risk of colon cancer has been widely recognized. Here, we found that mice developed colon tumors with 3 cycles of dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) treatment alone.

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RNA and protein are interconnected biomolecules that can influence each other's life cycles and functions through physical interactions. Abnormal RNA-protein interactions lead to cell dysfunctions and human diseases. Therefore, mapping networks of RNA-protein interactions is crucial for understanding cellular processes and pathogenesis of related diseases.

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Mitochondria not only serve as a platform for innate immune signaling transduction but also enhance immune responses by releasing mitochondrial DNA and RNA into the cytoplasm. However, whether mitochondrial matrix proteins could be liberated and involved in immune responses remains enigmatic. Here, we identify the mitochondrial protein ERA G-protein-like 1 (ERAL1) as a mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS)-interacting protein by using proximity-based labeling technology.

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Pathogen pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) trigger innate immune responses to invading pathogens. All known PRRs for viral RNA have extranuclear localization. However, for many viruses, replication generates dsRNA in the nucleus.

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is an important neurotropic pathogen that establishes latent infections in humans that can cause toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals. It replicates inside host cells and has developed several strategies to manipulate host immune responses. However, the cytoplasmic pathogen-sensing pathway that detects is not well-characterized.

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Neuropathy can contribute to low back pain (LBP) in the region of the back. Our study investigated the proportion of neuropathic pain (NP) in low back region in chronic LBP patients from multicenter and clinics in China and identified associated factors. Assessment was made using a questionnaire and the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS, only tested in low back region), as well as Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST, merely applied to the low back region), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).

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