HKUMed x Tsinghua x Centre for Oncology and Immunology Joint Symposium Advances Understanding of Neuroimmunology
- COI
- Aug 26
- 3 min read
This summer, the Centre for Oncology and Immunology (COI) had the pleasure of co-hosting the first joint symposium with HKUMed and Institute for Immunology Tsinghua University (THU). Titled “Innovations in Immune Regulation, Neuroimmune Mechanisms, and Clinical Interventions”, the joint symposium united renowned scientists to share cutting-edge discoveries on the exchange between the nervous and immune systems and their roles in health and diseases. Esteemed researchers, clinicians, and immunologists from HKUMed, Tsinghua University and COI were brought together for a meaningful scientific and collaborative discussion between the Faculty of Medicine and scientists of the three institutions. The program consisted of a series of insightful presentations by 18 speakers attracting over 180 participants across the institutions.
Prof. Chak-Sing Lau, Dean of HKUMed, opened the event with his warm welcoming remarks, setting the theme of rich knowledge exchange for the symposium. “I believe the Faculty of Medicine should aspire to sustain public health through innovation and globalization. Innovation must take many forms: in how we educate our students, in how we engage with others, and in technological advancements where we deepen our understanding of the complex mechanisms behind various diseases. Hence, this symposium focuses on uncovering the mechanisms of neurological diseases, which, at their core, are intricately linked to the immune system. Today, we unite two world-leading institutions in pursuit of this goal.”
The first session was focused on immune cell therapies, mechanistic insights in cancer and other diseases, and emerging therapeutic approaches. Dr. Min Peng (THU) opened the session with discussion on T cell lifespan regulation in infection and cancer and strategies to engineer long-lived T cells such as CAR-T therapies for cancer. Prof. Carmen Wong (HKU and COI) explained her team’s advancement in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors by identifying responders, enhancing outcomes for non-responders, and understanding how genetic alterations affect immune infiltration and drug response, as well as clinical models for tackling recurrent HCC post-resection. Dr. Sai Luo (THU) concluded the session with her presentation on humanized V(D)J rearranging mouse model for HIV medicine study, showing key foundation for next generation vaccine design and therapeutics by utilizing broadly utilizing antibodies (bnAbs).
In the second session on immune cell signalling mechanisms and their roles in autoimmune regulations, Prof. Liwei Lu (HKU and COI) began by explaining identified long-lived autoreactive plasma cells and innate B1 cells as key drivers of lupus nephritis, offering new therapeutic strategies for systemic lupus erythematosus. Continuing from Prof. Lu’s theme, Prof. Wanli Liu (THU) revealed that a novel human IgG1 variant reshapes B cell signalling and immune memory, enhancing humoral responses to pathogens while contributing to diseases like COVID-19 through altered receptor activation and immune synapse formation.
The third session, held in the latter half of the event, explored neuroimmune crosstalk, highlighting how the nervous and immune system communicate in both health and disease. Prof. Hai Qi (THU) opened the session by discussing how humoral immune memory develops and is regulated by the nervous system, using traditional Chinese practices like Qi Gong and Tai Chi as metaphors to illustrate the dynamic balance and communication between neurological and immune pathways. At the end of the session, Prof. Koon Ho Chan (HKU) highlighted the therapeutic promise of inducing immune tolerance to acetylcholine receptors to treat neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders and myasthenia gravis by modulating neuroimmune pathways in central and peripheral autoimmune disorders.
The final session focused on cellular mechanisms, innate immune processes, and innovative therapeutic strategies. Dr. Yating Wang (THU) revealed that autophagy restrains innate immune activation in alveolar macrophages, and its inhibition boosts resistance to respiratory infections, highlighting autophagy modulation as a potential strategy to enhance host defence while limiting inflammation. Dr. Chunxing Zheng (COI) gave the final presentation of the day with his findings on a gut neuroimmune circuit, opening new therapeutic possibilities for treating functional bowel disorders through immune–nervous system integration.
The final closing remarks given by Prof. Tak Mak and Prof. SY Leung, Co-Directors of COI, emphasized the value of scientific collaboration and expressed optimism for deeper engagement between HKUMed and Institute for Immunology Tsinghua University with the successful conclusion of the event.
The Saturday theme-based discussions were also particularly energetic. PIs from all three institutes broadened each other’s research through the exchange of ideas from their field of expertise. This shared passion for science was evident and holds promise for a meaningful -collaboration between the institutes.
COI expresses its deepest gratitude to Prof. Tak Mak and Prof SY Leung, HKUMed Dean Prof. Chak-sing Lau, and Prof. Hai Qi of Tsinghua University for bringing the joint symposium together. We thank the speakers for their invaluable contributions, and all attendees for heightening the event with their engagement. We continue to support collaborative research and scientific advancement at the intersection of neuroscience and immunology.
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