K. Okuda

Prolonged airway explant culture enables study of health, disease, and viral pathogenesis

This study develops methods to culture human and animal airway explants for at least 14 days, preserving tissue architecture and enabling study of health, disease, and viral infection.

Synthesis and validation of click-modified of NOD1/2 agonists

This study synthesizes and validates click-modified muropeptides as tools to study NOD1/2 innate immune sensing mechanisms.

Methotrexate inhibition of muropeptide transporter SLC46A2 controls psoriatic skin inflammation

The paper shows that SLC46A2 transports DAP-muropeptides to activate NOD1 in keratinocytes, and methotrexate inhibits this transport, reducing psoriatic inflammation.

Development of a Novel Air-Liquid Interface Airway Tissue Equivalent Model for In Vitro Respiratory Modeling Studies

This study develops a 3D airway tissue equivalent model with native fibroblasts, solubilized ECM, and tunable hydrogel to better mimic human airway biology and assess its impact on epithelial differentiation.

A Multitrait Locus Regulates Sarbecovirus Pathogenesis

The paper identifies a multitrait locus on mouse Chromosome 9 that regulates SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and bat sarbecovirus disease severity, with candidate genes CCR9 and CXCR6.

Discrimination of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-lineages BA.1 and BA.2 using a high-resolution melting-based assay: A pilot study

This study develops a high-resolution melting assay to distinguish SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-lineages BA.1 and BA.2 using mutation patterns in the spike protein with 100% sensitivity and >97.5% specificity.

A model of persistent post SARS-CoV-2 induced lung disease for target identification and testing of therapeutic strategies

This paper develops a murine model of persistent post-SARS-CoV-2 lung disease to identify therapeutic targets and test interventions for PASC.

Leishmania amazonensis sabotages host cell SUMOylation for intracellular survival

This study identifies SUMOylation inhibition as a mechanism by which Leishmania amazonensis enhances its survival in host macrophages.

Hyperconcentrated Mucus Unifies Submucosal Gland and Superficial Airway Dysfunction in Cystic Fibrosis

This study identifies hyperconcentrated mucus as a unifying mechanism for submucosal gland and superficial airway dysfunction in cystic fibrosis.

Enterohepatic transcription factor CREB3L3 protects atherosclerosis via SREBP competitive inhibition

This study shows CREB3L3 protects against atherosclerosis by inhibiting SREBP activity through competitive antagonism, reducing lipogenic and cholesterogenic gene expression.