The research group led by Professor Ge Bao Xue has made new breakthroughs in studying the mechanism of the interaction between pathogens and host immune system: The key protein Tir of enteropathogenic E. coli EPEC（translocated intimin receptor）which interacted with the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitor (ITIM) ) Have similar sequences. Tir protein interacts with tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 in the host cell through phosphorylation of its ITIM after it enters the host cell via the type III secretion system. Thereby promote the binding of SHP-1 to TRAF6 protein with activating immunity in cells, and effectively inhibit the ubiquitination of TRAF6 protein. In addition, the researchers also found that TIR protein ITIM can inhibit the EPEC-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the host, in order to inhibit the immune response against citrobacter rodentium infection.

The results of these studies published online in the famous journal of biomedical Nature Immunology. The research has been funded by the National Fund Committee, Ministry of Science and Technology and the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission.

Tongji University School of Medicine Professor Ge Bao Xue research group focused on the immune system of signal transduction. In recent years, a series of important progress has been made.

Relevant research results have been published in Science, Nature Immunology and Cell Host & Microbe and other internationally renowned professional journals.