The research group led by Prof. Chen Lanfen and Prof. Zhou Dawang shed light on the important role played by TAZ in regulating the differentiation of CD4+ naive T cell into TH 17 cell and Treg cell. The research can serve as a theory reference for the pathogenesis of multiple autoimmune diseases, and provide possible molecular markers and targets for early diagnosis and treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.

The paper, coauthored by postdoctoral researcher, Geng Jing, and doctoral students, Yu Shujuan, Zhao Hao and Sun Xiufeng, was supported by the First Affiliated Hospital of XMU, Zhejiang University and University of Texas. Corresponding authors are Prof. Chen Lanfen and Prof. Zhou Dawang. The research was sponsored by National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key and Fundamental Research and Development Program ( “973” Program) and Introduction Program of Young Overseas Talents and the basic scientific research fund offered by the government.

So far this year, XMU doctoral students have published 7 papers on Nature’s series of journals.