Biology subjects

Wu, S. Y.

Publications and source records attributed to Wu, S. Y..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

The role of serotonin in the orbitofrontal cortex in alcohol consumption

Binge alcohol drinking is a public health concern that can dramatically increase the risk for development of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Continued alcohol drinking in the face of negative consequences is another key feature of AUD. A better understanding of the neural circuitry that regulates these behaviors could provide insight as to novel treatments for AUD. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has been implicated in alcohol consumption in both human studies and animal models. The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is a brain region that both receives serotonergic input from the dorsal raphe and has been implicated in AUD. However, how volitional alcohol consumption impacts serotonin signaling within the OFC and how this contributes to alcohol related behaviors is unknown. Here, we show that a history of alcohol consumption alters the ability of 5-HT to hyperpolarize OFC pyramidal neurons in mice and monkeys. Consistent with this, a history of binge alcohol consumption decreases the expression of the 5-HT1A but not 5-HT2A receptor in the OFC from mice. Next, we show that deletion of the 5-HT1A receptor from the OFC increased alcohol intake and preference in male, but not female mice. Finally, we found that 5-HT1A receptor deletion led to increased quinine-adulterated alcohol intake, a measure of aversion-resistant drinking, in both male and female mice. Altogether, we identified serotonin signaling in the OFC as key target for modulation of binge and compulsive alcohol consumption.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Reprogramming tumour-associated macrophages from immune suppressive to inflammatory state by Checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitor combination treatment

BackgroundTumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) play critical roles within the tumour microenvironment regulating immune evasion and therapeutic response. Previously, we have shown that the combination of Checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitor (CHK1i) with a subclinical dose of hydroxyurea (LDHU) reprograms the tumour immune microenvironment to a pro-inflammatory status. MethodsWe investigated a tumour-restricted Fcgr4 (Cd16.2) expressing macrophage population in multiple murine tumour models and the impact of CHK1i+LDHU on this population, using conventional and imaging flow cytometry as well as single-cell sequencing. ResultsTranscriptional profiling using CITE-seq and single-cell RNA sequencing reveals that Fcgr4 TAMs closely resemble Fcgr4- TAMs but display modest enrichment of interferon-associated and inflammatory gene programs, consistent with a functionally biased state rather than a distinct lineage. Importantly, we show that a highly tumour selective CHK1i+LDHU therapy shifts TAMs toward a more inflammatory phenotype while preserving dominant immunosuppressive features. Depletion of CSF1R macrophages enhanced CD8 T cell activation without influencing tumour growth but significantly augmented therapeutic efficacy of CHK1i+LDHU. ConclusionTogether, these findings define a novel TAM population and establish how targeted therapy reshapes, but does not fully overcome, TAM-mediated immune regulation.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2024

The Porcine Skin Microbiome Exhibits Broad Fungal Antagonism

The skin and its microbiome function to protect the host from pathogen colonization and environmental stressors. In this study, using the Wisconsin Miniature Swine model, we characterize the porcine skin fungal and bacterial microbiomes, identify bacterial isolates displaying antifungal activity, and use whole-genome sequencing to identify biosynthetic gene clusters encoding for secondary metabolites that may be responsible for the antagonistic effects on fungi. Through this comprehensive approach of paired microbiome sequencing with culturomics, we report the discovery of novel species of Corynebacterium and Rothia. Further, this study represents the first comprehensive evaluation of the porcine skin mycobiome and the evaluation of bacterial-fungal interactions on this surface. Several diverse bacterial isolates exhibit potent antifungal properties against fungal pathogens in vitro. Genomic analysis of inhibitory species revealed a diverse repertoire of uncharacterized biosynthetic gene clusters suggesting a reservoir of novel chemical and biological diversity. Collectively, the porcine skin microbiome represents a potential unique source of novel antifungals. HighlightsO_LIPorcine skin bacterial communities are consistent with previous reports on porcine and human skin. C_LIO_LIFungal community composition resembles mycobiomes from other mammalian skin, but not human skin. C_LIO_LIBacteria isolated from porcine skin have antimicrobial and particularly strong antifungal activity in vitro. C_LIO_LIDiscovered three new Corynebacterium species and one new Rothia species. C_LI

microbiology↗