T
T-cell checkpoint biology
We dissect PD-1 and LAG-3 receptor organization, ligand-dependent suppression, and proximity to the TCR, and use these principles to engineer selective T-cell modulation.
PD-1 · LAG-3 · BiTSJun Wang Laboratory · NYU
Decoding Immune Feedback.
Engineering Immunotherapy.
We investigate immune checkpoint and immune feedback receptor–ligand biology within disease microenvironments and translate mechanistic discoveries into next-generation therapies for cancer, autoimmune disease, and beyond.
Scientific focusImmune feedback receptor–ligand biology
ApproachDiscovery · mechanism · engineering
Therapeutic areasCancer · autoimmunity · infection
InstitutionNYU Grossman School of Medicine
Research focus
Immune feedback receptor–ligand biology
We study how negative-feedback receptor–ligand pathways maintain immune balance, how these circuits are rewired in disease, and how they can be engineered into more precise immunotherapies.
B
B-cell immune feedback
Our discovery of FGL1 as the first inhibitory ligand for TACI reveals a new layer of extracellular regulation of B-cell and humoral immune responses.
FGL1 · TACI · humoral immunityI
Tumor immune evasion
We investigate tumor-associated pathways that impair antigen presentation and suppress antitumor immunity, including Siglec-15 and the SUSD6/TMEM127/WWP2 axis.
MHC-I · Siglec-15 · immune evasionV
Myeloid & viral immunology
We study key myeloid receptor pathways that shape inflammation and host defense, including SARS-CoV-2-induced myeloid activation.
Myeloid biology · viral immunopathogenesisSelected discoveries
From new biology to therapeutic opportunity
Our work spans receptor–ligand discovery, mechanistic immunology, and therapeutic engineering.
Siglec-15Nature Medicine
Siglec-15
Discovery of Siglec-15 as a PD-L1-orthogonal immune suppressor and therapeutic target.
NATURE MEDICINE · 2019FGL1 · LAG-3Cell
FGL1–LAG-3
Identification of FGL1 as a major inhibitory ligand for LAG-3 and a new mechanism of checkpoint regulation.
CELL · 2019MHC-I AxisCell
MHC-I inhibitory axis
Discovery of a membrane-associated pathway controlling MHC-I degradation and cancer immune evasion.
CELL · 2023PD-1 · LAG-3Sci Immunol / PNAS
PD-1 & LAG-3 mechanisms
Structural and membrane-level mechanisms that explain how checkpoint receptors organize and suppress T-cell activity.
SCIENCE IMMUNOLOGY / PNAS · 2024LAG-3 BiTSCell
LAG-3 / TCR BiTS
Proximity between LAG-3 and the TCR guides selective suppression of pathogenic T cells and a new strategy for autoimmunity.
CELL · 2025FGL1 · TACIImmunity
FGL1–TACI
FGL1 acts as the first inhibitory ligand for TACI, connecting FGL1 biology to B-cell immune regulation.
IMMUNITY · 2026Scientific vision
Immune feedback receptor–ligand biology
Our central idea is that effective immunotherapy depends on understanding feedback circuits in context: where they operate, when they are induced, which cells they connect, and how strongly they regulate immunity.
By decoding and engineering these pathways, we aim to achieve more precise immune modulation while preserving protective immunity.
01 · DiscoverGenerate high-quality functional data and identify unexpected immune regulators.
02 · ReasonBuild mechanistic models that connect molecular interactions to immune behavior.
03 · ValidateTest causality using biochemical, cellular, structural and in vivo systems.
04 · EngineerTranslate immune feedback biology into antibodies, bispecifics and new therapeutic strategies.
Principal investigator
Jun Wang, PhD
Associate Professor, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Member, Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center
Jun Wang's research has focused on cancer immunotherapy and immune regulation for two decades. His early work investigated 4-1BB (CD137) immunotherapy and mechanisms of immune-related liver toxicity, including myeloid-associated pathways that could mitigate toxicity while preserving antitumor immunity. His subsequent work contributed to the discovery of Siglec-15 as an immune checkpoint, FGL1 as a functional ligand for LAG-3, mechanisms of PD-1 and LAG-3 regulation, a membrane inhibitory axis controlling MHC-I antigen presentation, and FGL1/TACI-mediated B-cell regulation.
The lab integrates fundamental receptor–ligand discovery, mechanistic immunology, protein engineering, and translational development to create new immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
TrainingPhD, Chinese Academy of Sciences · Postdoctoral training, Yale Immunobiology
Current roleAssociate Professor, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Selected recognitionNIH/NCI R37 MERIT · Multiple NIH R01s · Tony Hunter Award in Cancer Research (2026)
Scientific trajectory
Major milestones
A continuing progression from discovery of new immune pathways to mechanistic understanding and therapeutic design.
2019
Siglec-15
PD-L1-orthogonal immune suppressor
2019
FGL1–LAG-3
New inhibitory ligand–receptor pathway
2021
Viral–myeloid biology
SARS-CoV-2 inflammatory mechanisms
2023
MHC-I inhibitory axis
Membrane control of antigen presentation
2025
LAG-3 / TCR BiTS
Selective pathogenic T-cell suppression
2026
FGL1–TACI
Inhibitory B-cell regulation
Featured publications
Selected work
For the complete publication list, visit the current Wang Lab publication page or NYU faculty profile.
Complete publication list
Publications by year
2026
The liver-secreted protein FGL1 restrains a subset of innate-like B cell responses via the receptor TACI.
Immunity
Immunity
Siglec-15 and PD-1 checkpoint blockade in combination with oncolytic Zika virus infection confers protection against immune-resistant gliomas.
Neuro-Oncology
Neuro-Oncology
PRECISE-seq reveals disease-relevant TCR repertoires with phenotypic plasticity.
Journal of Experimental Medicine
Journal of Experimental Medicine
Lypd6b promotes colon tumorigenesis by inhibiting CD8+ T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity through metabolic reprogramming.
Nature Communications
Nature Communications
2025
Proximity between LAG-3 and T cell receptor guides suppression of T cell activation and autoimmunity.
Cell
Cell
T lymphocyte-specific deletion of SHP1 and SHP2 promotes activation-induced cell death of CD4+ T cells and impairs antitumor response.
PNAS
PNAS
Profiling antigen binding affinity of B cell responses in tumors by deep learning.
Nature Cancer
Nature Cancer
Exploring New Frontiers in LAG-3 Biology and Therapeutics.
Trends in Pharmacological Sciences
Trends in Pharmacological Sciences
Do circulating autoantibodies commonly found in healthy individuals reduce cancer risk?
Medical Hypotheses
Medical Hypotheses
2024
Immune-mesenchymal interplay within tertiary lymphoid structures in the skin promotes autoimmune pathogenesis in hidradenitis suppurativa.
Immunity
Immunity
Discovery of tumor-reactive T cell receptors by massively parallel library synthesis and screening.
Nature Biotechnology
Nature Biotechnology
Transmembrane Domain Driven PD-1 Dimers Mediate T Cell Inhibition.
Science Immunology
Science Immunology
Structural basis for LAG-3 dimeric association and inhibition of T cell function.
PNAS
PNAS
Targeting MHC-I inhibitory pathways for cancer immunotherapy.
Trends in Immunology
Trends in Immunology
2023
A membrane-associated inhibitory axis of MHC-I antigen presentation for cancer immune evasion.
Cell
Cell
PD-1H/VISTA mediates immune evasion in acute myeloid leukemia.
Journal of Clinical Investigation
Journal of Clinical Investigation
2022
CD8α-PILRα interaction maintains quiescence of naive and memory CD8+ T lymphocytes.
Science
Science
CD137 (4-1BB)-Based Cancer Immunotherapy on Its 25th Anniversary.
Cancer Discovery
Cancer Discovery
PD-L1 crosslinking as a new strategy of 4-1BB agonism immunotherapy.
Clinical Cancer Research
Clinical Cancer Research
2021
SARS-CoV-2 exacerbates proinflammatory responses in myeloid cells through C-type lectin receptors.
Immunity
Immunity
Mechanical activation of spike determines SARS-CoV-2 viral infection.
Cell Research
Cell Research
Deep learning-based prediction of the T cell receptor-antigen binding specificity.
Nature Machine Intelligence
Nature Machine Intelligence
Platelets contribute to disease severity in COVID-19.
Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis
Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis
A burn-out CD8+ T-cell subset expands in the tumour microenvironment limiting cancer immunotherapy.
Cancer Discovery
Cancer Discovery
The RNA helicase Dhx15 mediates Wnt-induced antimicrobial protein expression in Paneth cells.
PNAS
PNAS
Myeloid dysregulation and therapeutic intervention in COVID-19.
Seminars in Immunology
Seminars in Immunology
Siglec-15 as an emerging target for next-generation cancer immunotherapy.
Clinical Cancer Research
Clinical Cancer Research
2020
IL-18BP is a secreted immune checkpoint and barrier to effective IL-18 immunotherapy.
Nature
Nature
S100A4 promotes hepatocellular carcinogenesis by intensifying fibrosis-associated cancer cell stemness.
OncoImmunology
OncoImmunology
Immune asynchrony in COVID-19 pathogenesis and potential immunotherapies.
Journal of Experimental Medicine
Journal of Experimental Medicine
2019
Fibrinogen-like Protein 1 is a major immune inhibitory ligand for LAG3.
Cell
Cell
Siglec-15 as an immune suppressor and a potential target for normalization cancer immunotherapy.
Nature Medicine
Nature Medicine
Pik3ip1 is an immune negative regulator that inhibits T cell responses and anti-tumor immunity.
Clinical Cancer Research
Clinical Cancer Research
Simultaneous measurement and clinical significance of PD-1, LAG-3 and TIM-3 in non-small cell lung cancer.
Clinical Cancer Research
Clinical Cancer Research
LSECtin on tumor-associated macrophages advances breast cancer stemness via interaction with BTN3A3.
Cell Research
Cell Research
A tumor-localized approach to bypass anti-4-1BB immuno-toxicity.
Clinical Cancer Research
Clinical Cancer Research
2018
S100A4 blockage alleviates agonistic anti-CD137 antibody induced liver pathology without disruption of anti-tumor immunity.
OncoImmunology
OncoImmunology
2017
Changes in serum interleukin-8 levels reflect and predict response to anti-PD-1 treatment in melanoma and NSCLC patients.
Annals of Oncology
Annals of Oncology
PD-1, PD-L1 and tumor-site immune modulation therapy: the historical perspective.
Journal of Hematology & Oncology
Journal of Hematology & Oncology
Immunotherapy targeting 4-1BB: mechanistic rationale, clinical results, and future strategies.
Blood
Blood
2016
Neuron-specific SALM5 limits inflammation in the CNS via its interaction with HVEM.
Science Advances
Science Advances
2015
S100A4 promotes liver fibrosis via activation of hepatic stellate cells.
Journal of Hepatology
Journal of Hepatology
2014
Myeloid Cells’ Evasion of Melanoma Immunity.
Journal of Investigative Dermatology
Journal of Investigative Dermatology
2012
Potential role of soluble B7-H3 in liver immunopathogenesis during chronic HBV infection.
Journal of Viral Hepatitis
Journal of Viral Hepatitis
2011
Interleukin-6 induces Gr-1+CD11b+ myeloid cells to suppress CD8+ T cell-mediated liver injury in mice.
PLoS One
PLoS One
2010
CD137-mediated pathogenesis from chronic hepatitis to hepatocellular carcinoma in HBV transgenic mice.
Journal of Immunology
Journal of Immunology
Research impact
Discovery, translation, and mentorship
4+Major receptor–ligand and immune regulatory pathways established or mechanistically defined
NIHR37 and multiple R01/R21 awards supporting checkpoint, viral, and antibody discovery research
ClinicalScientific discoveries contributing to programs that have reached or are advancing toward human development
2026Tony Hunter Award in Cancer Research — recognizing transformative discoveries in cancer biology
Funding
Major research support
Selected federal, foundation and institutional support for our research in immune checkpoint biology, receptor–ligand discovery and translational immunotherapy.
NIH / NCI · R37 MERIT
FGL1/LAG-3 for cancer immunotherapy
Mechanistic and translational studies of the FGL1–LAG-3 immune checkpoint pathway.
2022–2029NIH / NCI · R01
Siglec-15 in cancer immunology
Defining Siglec-15 biology and therapeutic opportunities in tumor immunity.
2023–2028NIH / NIAID · R01
Machine-learning-based antibody discovery
Computational and experimental strategies for antigen-specific antibody discovery.
2025–2030NIH / NIAID · R21
SARS-CoV-2 myeloid receptors
Functional characterization of myeloid receptors involved in SARS-CoV-2 immunopathogenesis.
2021–2023Mark Foundation · ASPIRE
MHC-I membrane inhibitors in cancer
Discovery and validation of membrane regulators of antigen presentation and tumor immune evasion.
2021–2023BMS–MRA Young Investigator Award
Melanoma immunotherapy
Support for innovative checkpoint and tumor-immune biology in melanoma.
2022–2025V Foundation · V Scholar
Cancer immunology research
Early-career support for innovative cancer immunology and immunotherapy research.
2021–2023NYU Colton Center for Autoimmunity
LAG-3 BiTS translational development
Translational support for LAG-3-based T-cell silencing strategies in autoimmune disease.
2022–present program developmentPeople
Current members & NYU alumni
Current lab members
Jun Wang, PhDPrincipal Investigator
Jia Liu, PhDPostdoctoral Associate
Fei Shu, PhDPostdoctoral Associate
Xin Yu, PhDPostdoctoral Associate
Zoe CiantraPhD Student · co-mentored
Yiqing ChenPhD Student
Alumni since 2019
Previous lab roles and current positions are shown where available.
Qiao Lu, PhDPrevious: Postdoctoral Associate
Current: Assistant Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Current: Assistant Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Jia You, PhDPrevious: Associate Research Scientist
Current: Assistant Professor, Tianjin University
Current: Assistant Professor, Tianjin University
Marianna Teplova, PhDPrevious: Associate Research Scientist
Current: Scientist, Rockefeller University
Current: Scientist, Rockefeller University
Jiaoyan Huang, PhDPrevious: Postdoctoral Associate
Current: Scientist, Hengrui Pharma
Current: Scientist, Hengrui Pharma
Lulu Cao, PhDPrevious: Visiting Scholar
Current: Principal Investigator, Peking University People's Hospital
Current: Principal Investigator, Peking University People's Hospital
Ting Shao, PhDPrevious: Associate Research Scientist
Current: Industry Principal Scientist
Current: Industry Principal Scientist
Connor FosterPrevious: NYU MD/PhD Student
Current: Anatomic Pathology Resident, University of Washington Medical Center
Current: Anatomic Pathology Resident, University of Washington Medical Center
Jasper DuPrevious: NYU MD/PhD Student
Current: MD Student, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Current: MD Student, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Nicole EskowPrevious: Co-mentored NYU MD/PhD Student
Grace CaiPrevious: NYU Tandon Master's Student
Yikun LiPrevious: NYU Tandon Master's Student
Ross deVinneyPrevious: NYU Master's Student
Current: Research Associate, Oregon Health & Science University
Current: Research Associate, Oregon Health & Science University
Liuyun LiPrevious: NYU Master's Student
Han WuPrevious: NYU Tandon Master's Student
Current: PhD Student, University of Tennessee
Current: PhD Student, University of Tennessee
Eric RaoPrevious: NYU Undergraduate Student
Current: MD Student, New York Medical College
Current: MD Student, New York Medical College
Thomas TraubPrevious: NYU Undergraduate Student
Yusuf RashidPrevious: NYU Undergraduate Student
Cecily HanPrevious: NYU Undergraduate Student
David GuoPrevious: NYU Undergraduate Student
Ze ZhangPrevious: Visiting MD/PhD Student
Current: Scientist, Jiangsu Hengrui Pharma
Current: Scientist, Jiangsu Hengrui Pharma
Arianna BittonPrevious: NYU Master's Student
Current: Global Manager, L'Oréal
Current: Global Manager, L'Oréal
Jiangyan ZhangPrevious: Volunteer
Current: PhD Student, Rutgers University
Current: PhD Student, Rutgers University
Will SunPrevious: Summer High School Intern
Current: Undergraduate Student, Georgetown University
Current: Undergraduate Student, Georgetown University
Jenny ZhaoPrevious: Summer High School Intern
Current: Undergraduate Student, Wellesley College
Current: Undergraduate Student, Wellesley College
Join the Wang Lab
We welcome postdoctoral scientists, graduate students, and research scientists passionate about immunology, receptor–ligand biology, protein engineering, and translational immunotherapy. Inquiries from motivated individuals at all career stages are encouraged.