Xiao lab - Innate & Adaptive (Tumor) Immunity: DC-T Focus

Dr. Xiao specializes in T- and B-cell immunity and dendritic cell (DC) biology in mouse and human models. Her recent research focuses on human classical type 1 DC-licensing and advancing tumor immunology using innovative methodologies.

The primary objective is to harness the immune system to recognize and eliminate (tumor) target cells by enhancing DC-mediated T-cell immunity. This involves overcoming the challenge of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments (TME) that impair DC function and limit T-cell activation. The goal is to identify mechanisms to address these challenges and develop effective (cancer) immunotherapies.

The research focuses on human cDC1, which are essential for initiating and sustaining anti-tumor immune responses. It examines how cDC1 interact with T-cells in lymphoid tissues and the TME. The research emphasizes understanding how CD4⁺ T cells "license" cDC1, enhancing the tumor antigen presentation and the T-cell activation. This licensing mechanism is key to generating robust, tumor-specific immune responses capable of overcoming immune suppression in the TME.

The research employs advanced techniques, including single-cell (spatial) transcriptomics derived from both in-house and publicly available datasets, along with primary human (tumor antigen-specific) T-cell priming assays developed in the Xiao lab. Single-cell (spatial) transcriptomics provides detailed insights into the heterogeneity and functional states of immune cells. By incorporating CRISPR-Cas technology into primary T-cell priming assays, the molecular crosstalk between myeloid cells, particularly cDC1, and T-cells is assessed. This integrated approach enables a comprehensive understanding of DC-T cell communication and its pivotal role in advancing anti-tumor immunity.