Project 137: Pre-clinical Investigation into an Endogenously Expressed Micropeptide MiRPEP155 with Immunomodulatory Functions
Contact Information:
Prof. Honglin Wang
Email: honglin.wang@sjtu.edu.cn
Project Description and Objectives:
Micro RNA precursors are generally considered to be non-coding. We recently published an article entitled "A Micropeptide Encoded by LncRNA MIR155HG Suppresses Autoimmune Inflammation via Modulating Antigen Presentation" in Science Advances, reporting that a previously annotated non-coding region of the human genome encodes a polypeptide named MIPEP155. MIPEP155 can regulate the antigen-presenting capacity of dendritic cells in the context of inflammation. MIPEP155 showed prominent therapeutic effects on two autoinflammatory disease models, namely imiquimod-induced mouse model of psoriasis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), highlighting the potential of miPEP155 to be a drug candidate of autoimmune diseases. In this project, we intend to study the dose-dependent therapeutic effects of miPEP155 on imiquimod-induced mouse model of psoriasis and a mouse model of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), taking antibody drugs including anti-TNF-α, anti-IL-17A and anti-IL-23p19 as positive controls. Moreover, we intend to study the pharmacokinetics of miPEP155 using mice, rats and rabbits. Overall, these results will help us evaluate the druggability of miPEP155 and assess the risk to continue the development of miPEP155 into a drug for autoinflammatory diseases.
Eligibility Requirements:
An eligible candidate should be self-motivated and have
An excellent team spirit.
Good English communication and writing skills.
Basic knowledge on cell biology and immunology.
Experience in working with animal models is preferred.
Main Tasks:
Animal model establishment.
Drug candidate application.
Disease score evaluation.
Druggability assessment.
Website
Lab: http://sii.shsmu.edu.cn/DetailMemberInfo.php?pid=6&cid=22&num=22&id=11