Guo Chengqin

Biography

Dr. Kuo used microarray and proteomic approaches to identify several genes/proteins involved in TLR9 signaling–mediated immune cell survival. He using genetic and molecular cellular approach demonstrated that TLR9 ligand CpG ODN activate PI3K signaling to increase expression of two anti-apoptotic proteins, Hsp70 and 90. Furthermore, both Hsps regulate anti-apoptosis via different mechanism of action, respectively. In addition, He also found that class I and class III PI3K play distinct roles in TLR signaling pathways using specific kinase mutants and PI3K lipid products

Research Interest

Inflammation is an old concept with new definitions. Its molecular and cellular mechanisms have advanced rapidly which have revolutionized its biomedical significances and applications. Inflammation is caused by excessive and inappropriate innate immune activity such as an overwhelming activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs)-signaling; it is now considered as a fundamental process in many human diseases and health issues such as cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. Cellular and molecular factors responsible for inflammation in the diverse health problems and diseases are complex and not necessarily identical. Understanding inflammation and inflammatory signaling in the pathogenesis of disease progression will help the development of specific therapies that can effectively fight inflammatory diseases. Although the causes of inflammatory diseases are complex, however, it is becoming recognized that epigenetic, abiotic, metabolic and biotic environmental factors play a significant role. Furthermore, many modern diseases are the results of subtle metabolic imbalances related to inflammation. Dr. Kuo thus has expanded his investigation into metabolic control of inflammation. Dr. Kuo’s research is to use comparative metabolomics analysis coupled with molecular cellular biochemical approaches and animal model to determine physiological relevance and pathophysiological connection between physiological metabolites and inflammatory diseases such systemic inflammation, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.