Chuan Wu, M.D., Ph.D.

1. Immune-neuron crosstalk regulates gut sensation.
The intestinal epithelium represents the largest interface which protects the body from potential danger while sensing external milieu. Given that the gut also functions as a major endocrine organ, the efficient translation from environmental cues to neuroendocrine responses is essential for body physiology. By harboring large quantities of microbiota and immune cells, the intestinal tissue is filled with a variety of immune regulators. While certain receptors have been identified to detect different environmental stimuli such as microbial metabolites, irritants, mechanical stress, it is still unclear whether and how immune signals participate in gut sensation to enforce intestinal homeostasis and host defense. We are studying how immune signals integrate into neural regulation for gut sensation during intestinal homeostasis and inflammation.

2. Reciprocal regulations between intestinal epithelium barrier and gut microbiota.
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is colonized by millions of microbes which have co-evolved with the host. The intestinal epithelium barrier forms the first line of defense against bacterial invasion while providing nutrition to support microbial symbiosis. In turn, gut commensalism controls intestinal barrier integrity and gut physiology. Disruption of this mutualism results in enhancing susceptibility to intestinal inflammation. How such reciprocal interactions modulate intestinal host-microbial symbiosis for barrier function is unclear. We aim to understand the role of host-microbial crosstalk for intestinal barrier function, which could provide new therapeutic targets for the treatment of IBD.

Dr. Wu earned his M.D. from Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, and subsequently pursued his Ph.D. training at Münster University, Germany, where he focused on T cell migration in the context of inflammation and autoimmunity. He later completed his postdoctoral training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, concentrating on the transcriptional regulation of T cell differentiation. After joining the NCI, Dr. Wu redirected his research focus toward exploring the intercellular regulation of mucosal barrier integrity. His laboratory adopts an interdisciplinary approach to unravel the complex interactions between the nervous system, microbial pathogens, and the immune system in both physiological and pathophysiological contexts, with the ultimate goal of developing innovative therapies for immune-mediated diseases.