The paper identifies an age-associated immune-poised state in human bronchial epithelial cells that mediates RSV resistance in adults by enhancing RIG-I-STAT3 signaling.

Nature Communications · Jul 21, 2026Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Infant RSV infection desensitizes β2-adrenergic receptor via CXCL11-CXCR7 signaling in airway smooth muscle

Caiqi Zhao, Alice Emma Taliento, Elise M. Belkin, Rachel Fearns, Paul H. Lerou, Xingbin Ai, Yan Bai

This study shows RSV infection desensitizes β2AR in infant ASMCs via CXCL11-CXCR7 signaling, leading to airway resistance and potential therapeutic targeting.

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine · Feb 18, 2026Peer-reviewedCell Biology

Missense variants affecting the actin-binding domains of PLS3 cause X-linked congenital diaphragmatic hernia and body wall defects

Florence Petit, Mauro Longoni, Julie M. Wells, Richard S. Maser, Eric L. Bogenschutz, Matthew J. Dysart, Hannah T. M. Contreras, Frédéric Frénois, Barbara R. Pober, Robin Dawn Clark, Philip F. Giampietro, Hilger H. Ropers, Hao Hu, Marı́a Loscertales, Richard Wagner, , Frances A. High

The paper identifies missense variants in PLS3 causing X-linked congenital diaphragmatic hernia and body wall defects through genetic analysis and functional studies.

The American Journal of Human Genetics · Sep 25, 2023Peer-reviewedGenetic & Genomic Medicine

Overactivated epithelial NF-κB disrupts lung development in human and nitrofen CDH

Florentine Dylong, Jan Riedel, Gaurang M. Amonkar, Nicole Peukert, Paula Lieckfeldt, Katinka Sturm, Benedikt Höxter, Wai Hei Tse, Yuichiro Miyake, Steffi Mayer, Richard Keijzer, Martin Lacher, Xingbin Ai, Jan‐Hendrik Gosemann, Richard Wagner

This study shows that overactivated NF-κB disrupts lung development in CDH and that dexamethasone or curcumenol can rescue lung hypoplasia by normalizing NF-κB signaling.

bioRxiv · Apr 7, 2023 · PreprintDevelopmental Biology

A tracheal aspirate-derived airway basal cell model reveals a pro-inflammatory epithelial defect in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Richard Wagner, Gaurang M. Amonkar, Wei Wang, Jessica E. Shui, Kamakshi Bankoti, Wai Hei Tse, Frances A. High, Jill M. Zalieckas, Terry L. Buchmiller, Augusto Zani, Richard Keijzer, Patricia K. Donahoe, Paul H. Lerou, Xingbin Ai

This study develops a human airway basal cell model from tracheal aspirates to investigate epithelial defects in congenital diaphragmatic hernia, finding a pro-inflammatory signature and therapeutic response to steroids.

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine · Feb 2, 2023Peer-reviewedDevelopmental Biology