Zizhen Kang
My laboratory has two major research interests: Neuroimmunology and Mucosal Immunology. In Neuroimmunology, we focus on the immunobiology of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) in Multiple Sclerosis by using animal models; we also study the immune function of LRRK2 in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. In Mucosal Immunology, we focus on the role of LRRK2-mediated innate immunity in host defense and intestinal inflammation including inflammasome activation; In addition, we study LKB1-driven gut microbiota dysfunction (dysbiosis) in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal polyposis and tumorigenesis. To integrate this two research interests, our long-term goal is to understand how gut-brain axis modulates the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Our research will open novel avenues for the therapy of related diseases.
- Autoimmunity
- Innate immunity
- Adaptive immunity
- Cell signaling/Signal transduction
- Pathogenesis
![Z, Kang](/sites/immuno.grad.uiowa.edu/files/styles/square__768_x_768/public/2021-07/Portrait--%20Kang%20Z.jpg?h=8e74ed5b&itok=PuImub2b)