About

Xinyi Luo is a dual-title PhD student in History and Asian Studies at Penn State. She primarily works with sources in Vietnamese, Chữ Nôm, Classical Chinese, French, and Latin to explore political, religious, and social life in eighteenth-century northern Vietnam. Her research also concerns the political and cultural exchanges between Vietnam and the global world, with a specific focus on its East and Southeast Asian neighbors. Having studied intellectual decolonization in the Atlantic World and inspired by the Vietnamese philosopher Trần Đức Thảo, Xinyi Luo is also interested in Afro-Asian connections and Asian intellectuals’ role in shaping postcolonial literature.

Research topics

• Biology
• Immunology
• Cell biology
• Internal medicine
• Medicine
• Virology
• Pathology
• Chemistry
• Biochemistry

Selected publications

• Monocyte exhaustion associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

  Autoimmunity · 2026-05-20

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  Monocytes are major contributors to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis, modulating B- and T-cell autoreactivity through inflammatory cytokine secretion and disrupted immune clearance. Under prolonged inflammatory pressure, monocytes develop a pathogenic "exhausted" immune memory state defined by paradoxical proinflammatory and immunosuppressive gene expression and diminished immune effector functions. To determine whether chronic inflammation in SLE elicits a similar monocyte exhaustion phenotype, we analyzed bone marrow and splenic reservoir monocytes from lupus-prone MRL and MRL/lpr (LPR) mice. Monocytes from LPR mice exhibit chronic immune exhaustion, including reduced chemokine receptor CX3CR1 cell surface levels, heightened sensitivity to endotoxin stress, and altered expression of T cell regulatory molecules PD-L1, CD200R, ICOS-L, and CD86. Exhaustion severity correlated with SLE progression, although the development of monocyte exhaustion preceded the onset of disease symptoms. These features were largely recapitulated in monocytes from patients with SLE, demonstrating that monocyte exhaustion is a generalizable feature of SLE pathogenesis.

  PublisherDOI

• Double humanised lupus mouse model with human immune system and faecal microbiota from patients with SLE

  Lupus Science & Medicine · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  OBJECTIVE: We aimed to create a double humanised lupus mouse model with a human immune system and faecal microbiota from patients with SLE. METHODS: haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (NSG-hu mice) and performing faecal microbiota transplantation from patients with SLE (SLE-FMT). RESULTS: While FMT in general transiently suppressed the development of human T cells in NSG-hu mice, SLE-FMT but not FMT from non-SLE donors promoted superficial skin lesions. Importantly, the combination of SLE-FMT and pristane in NSG-hu, now called the DhuSLE-P mouse, induced proteinuria although this clinical sign observed in mice did not reflect that of the microbiota donors. DhuSLE-P mice exhibited a higher level of human IgM in the circulation than NSG-hu mice, which was positively correlated with the frequency of plasma cells in the spleen. In the splenic sections of DhuSLE-P mice, nuclear BCL6 was minimally detected but CD138 expression was evident, suggesting that most plasma cells generated were not class switched and produced IgM. Some human IgG was detected in the kidney of DhuSLE-P mice with a trend towards increased total IgG in the serum. Analysis of the faecal microbiota revealed that the gut microbiota compositions were different between DhuSLE-P mice and NSG-hu mice due to SLE-FMT but not the injection of pristane. CONCLUSION: Together, these results introduced the first humanised lupus mouse model combining the human immune system and gut microbiota from patients with SLE. However, limitations exist and the model may benefit from methods that promote antibody class switching. On further development, the DhuSLE model can be useful for elucidating mechanisms and/or evaluating SLE treatments.

  PublisherDOI

• Precision Adjuvant Strategies in Vaccine Development for Substance Use Disorders: Variability and Mechanistic Insights

  Pharmaceutics · 2025-09-20 · 3 citations

  reviewOpen access

  Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain a major global health challenge with limited treatment options and high relapse rates. Vaccines that induce drug-sequestering antibodies have shown promise, but their efficacy is hindered by the poor immunogenicity of small-molecule haptens. Adjuvants, substances that enhance immune responses, are critical for overcoming this limitation and improving vaccine efficacy. This review synthesizes over two decades of preclinical and clinical research to guide rational adjuvant design for SUD vaccines. Five major adjuvant classes are examined: aluminum-salt adjuvants, emulsion adjuvants, toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, protein immunopotentiators, and cytokine modulators. Their physicochemical properties, innate immune activation profiles, and applications in nicotine, stimulant, and opioid vaccines are discussed. Comparative analyses reveal pronounced drug-specific and carrier-specific variability. Case studies illustrate the superior performance of a complementary TLR-agonist pair in a nicotine nanovaccine versus its limited effect in oxycodone vaccines. They also reveal the differential efficacy of an oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant across antigen types. Four principles emerge: (i) no adjuvant is universally optimal; (ii) drug pharmacology influences immune signaling; (iii) adjuvant-carrier compatibility is important; (iv) complementary adjuvant pairings often outperform single agents. These insights support a precision-vaccinology paradigm that tailors adjuvant strategies to each drug class and the delivery vehicle, advancing the development of next-generation SUD vaccines.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Metatranscriptomic analysis of the gut virome in Muscovy ducks reveals a novel duck reovirus potentially associated with hepatic and splenic hemorrhage

  Frontiers in Immunology · 2025-10-23

  articleOpen access

  Introduction: Ducks rank among the most important sources of animal protein globally, yet hepatic and splenic hemorrhage and necrosis in Muscovy ducks present a critical challenge to the poultry industry. The causes behind such diseases are often multifaceted, involving both established and newly emerging pathogens. Methods: In this study, we leveraged metatranscriptomic sequencing to profile the intestinal viral communities of healthy and diseased Muscovy ducks from a Guangdong Province farm that experienced a hepatic and splenic hemorrhage in June 2024. Results: Our findings revealed marked differences in viral community profiles between the two groups, with the diseased cohort exhibiting higher α-diversity. Taxonomic analyses across multiple levels uncovered significant variations in viral composition, including shifts in phylums like Uroviricota and families such as Demerecviridae. At the genus and species levels, several bacteriophages and eukaryotic viruses displayed differential abundance. Notably, Avian orthoreovirus was detected exclusively in diseased ducks, with a specific novel duck reovirus (NDRV) validated via RT-qPCR as a potential contributor to hepatic and splenic pathogenesis. In contrast, known pathogens such as Duck hepatitis A virus (DHAV) and Fowl adenovirus serotype 4 (FAdV-4) were not detected. Discussion: This study constitutes the first comprehensive analysis of the Muscovy duck gut virome, highlighting NDRV as a potential causative agent and emphasizing the utility of metatranscriptomics in pathogen discovery.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• CD40 promotes AML survival via non-canonical NF-κB signaling and aberrant lipid metabolism

  International Immunopharmacology · 2025-04-18

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Study on the treatment of ulcerative colitis with selenium-rich Bifidobacterium

  2025-11-10

  articleSenior author

  Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a prevalent inflammatory bowel disease, with a rising incidence globally and a significant burden on public health. In China, the incidence ranges from 0.42 to 2.2 cases per 100,000 people annually, and cases are increasing. Modern treatments, such as chemical drugs and immunosuppressants, often come with limited efficacy and substantial side effects. UC is associated with decreased levels of beneficial gut bacteria and selenium, an essential trace element known for its antioxidant properties. In this study, a strain of selenium-enriched Bifidobacterium was isolated from the feces of breast-fed infants and evaluated for its therapeutic potential in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mouse model of UC. Results showed that selenium-enriched Bifidobacteria significantly improved antioxidant capacity and alleviated UC symptoms by reducing inflammatory cytokine levels, restoring colon length, and improving disease activity index (DAI) scores. This research highlights the potential of selenium-enriched probiotics as a novel adjunct therapy for UC prevention and treatment, addressing the dual challenges of oxidative stress and microbiota imbalance.

  PublisherDOI

• Strain-specific modulation of IgA induction by Limosilactobacillus reuteri 2310

  The Journal of Immunology · 2025-11-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Description Limosilactobacillus reuteri (formerly Lactobacillus reuteri) is a well-studied commensal bacterium known for various health benefits, although recent evidence links specific strains to autoimmune conditions. Our recent findings reveal that the human-derived strain L. reuteri CF48-3A enhances endogenous neonatal immunoglobulin A (IgA) production in mice. In a comparative analysis of CF48-3A and ATCC PTA 6475, we observed that only CF48-3A induces splenic IgA production in vitro, highlighting strain specific functional diversity within L.reuteri. Further study indicates that the two strains modulate B cell IgA production through distinct mechanisms, largely due to differences in surface proteins and activation of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). While CF48-3A promotes plasmablast differentiation and proliferation, PTA 6475 does not induce IgA production and suppresses antibody-secreting cell populations. This suppression was traced to differences in surface architecture, as knockout of Sortase A (SrtA)-dependent proteins (SDPs), responsible for anchoring proteins to the cell surface, restored plasmablast differentiation and IgA induction in PTA 6475. Additionally, IgA induction by CF48-3A and the SDPs mutant PTA 6475 appears to occur independently of BAFF and TGF-β signaling. These findings emphasize the strain-specific impact of L. reuteri on IgA induction and suggest unique mechanisms by which L. reuteri strains influence B cell differentiation. Funding Sources Supported by NIH UL1TR003015 Topic Categories Mucosal and Regional Immunology (MUC)

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Decoupled Regulation and Synergetic Optimization of Mechanical and Electrochemical Performances of Stretchable Solid Polymer Electrolytes

  ACS Applied Energy Materials · 2025-08-13 · 2 citations

  article

  Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are regarded as ideal electrolytes for flexible lithium batteries due to their intrinsic safety and interfacial compatibility, but their practical application is limited by the intrinsic antagonism between mechanical properties and ionic conductivity. Herein, a novel electrolyte (ISSPE) with a stretchable SEBS (styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene) framework and a highly percolating Li+-conductive network has been in situ integrated. The presented structural design decoupled the mechanical properties and electrochemical performance, where the elastic phase and the ion-conducting phase each play their own role, achieving excellent elongation at break of 601% at room temperature, tensile strength of 5.01 MPa, high ionic conductivity of 0.77 mS cm–1 and an excellent Li+ transference number (0.76), while an electrochemical stability window of 5.45 V vs Li+/Li was achieved. Owing to the conformal electrode/electrolyte interface achieved by the in situ polymerization process, ISSPE shows excellent performance in Li||LiFePO4 and Li||LiCoO2 cells, with significant inhibition of dendrite growth at the surface of the lithium metal anode after cycling. This study shows new light on the design of SPEs that are both Li+ conductive and mechanical tolerance.

  PublisherDOI

• Single-cell transcriptomics identifies PDGFRA+ progenitors orchestrating angiogenesis and periodontal tissue regeneration

  International Journal of Oral Science · 2025-07-24 · 11 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Periodontal bone defects, primarily caused by periodontitis, are highly prevalent in clinical settings and manifest as bone fenestration, dehiscence, or attachment loss, presenting a significant challenge to oral health. In regenerative medicine, harnessing developmental principles for tissue repair offers promising therapeutic potential. Of particular interest is the condensation of progenitor cells, an essential event in organogenesis that has inspired clinically effective cell aggregation approaches in dental regeneration. However, the precise cellular coordination mechanisms during condensation and regeneration remain elusive. Here, taking the tooth as a model organ, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing to dissect the cellular composition and heterogeneity of human dental follicle and dental papilla, revealing a distinct Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) population with remarkable odontogenic potential. Interestingly, a reciprocal paracrine interaction between PDGFRA + dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) and CD31 + Endomucin + endothelial cells (ECs) was mediated by Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and Platelet-derived growth factor subunit BB (PDGFBB). This crosstalk not only maintains the functionality of PDGFRA + DFSCs but also drives specialized angiogenesis. In vivo periodontal bone regeneration experiments further reveal that communication between PDGFRA + DFSC aggregates and recipient ECs is essential for effective angiogenic-osteogenic coupling and rapid tissue repair. Collectively, our results unravel the importance of MSC-EC crosstalk mediated by the VEGFA and PDGFBB-PDGFRA reciprocal signaling in orchestrating angiogenesis and osteogenesis. These findings not only establish a framework for deciphering and promoting periodontal bone regeneration in potential clinical applications but also offer insights for future therapeutic strategies in dental or broader regenerative medicine.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Discovery of Novel Probiotic Species to Improve Infant Health

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-10-27

  preprintOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Abstract Selecting an appropriate infant formula can be challenging for parents given the wide range of available options, which may lead to suboptimal choices or frequent switching. Our recent studies in mice demonstrated that the maternal microbiota—particularly Limosilactobacillus reuteri present in breast milk—plays a critical role in shaping neonatal immunity by promoting the production of immunoglobulin A (IgA), a key antibody for defense against enteric pathogens. To extend these findings to humans, we analyzed fecal samples from healthy breastfed infants using shotgun metagenomic sequencing combined with whole-bacterial-cell ELISA to assess associations between specific taxa and pathogen-reactive IgA. We found that members of the Oscillibacter species (including Oscillibacter sp. KLE1728, KLE1745, PC13, PEA192, and O. valericigenes ) and Morganella (e.g., M. morganii, Morganella sp. EGD-HP17, and Morganella sp. HMSC11D09) were strongly correlated with IgA responses against Salmonella and Shigella . In contrast, IgA reactive to enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) was associated with other genera, including Staphylococcus . Notably, Lactobacillus species ( L. bombi, L. kefiri, L. equi , and L. rhamnosus ) were consistently linked to elevated IgA responses against Salmonella, Shigella , and EHEC. Moreover, levels of anti- Salmonella and anti- Shigella IgA were positively correlated with the use of infant formula containing prebiotic fibers or human milk oligosaccharides (5-HMO). Collectively, these findings highlight novel commensal taxa with potential as probiotic candidates to guide the development of next-generation infant formulas aimed at enhancing mucosal immunity and supporting infant health. Importance Early-life nutrition shapes immune maturation, yet the microbial factors driving mucosal antibody responses remain poorly defined. Through integrated metagenomic and IgA profiling, this study identifies commensal taxa, particularly Lactobacillus, Oscillibacter , and Morganella , associated with pathogen-specific IgA in infants. These taxa may enhance mucosal defense against enteric pathogens, revealing key microbial contributors to early immune development. The findings provide a foundation for designing next-generation infant formulas that leverage targeted probiotics or prebiotics to promote protective IgA responses and gut health.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Dissecting the Roles of Vitamin A in Autoimmunity

  NIH · $451k · 2017–2020

• Mechanistic role of probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri in autoimmune lupus

  NIH · $1.7M · 2018–2024

• Effect of maternal immune factors in shaping the infant gut microbiota

  NIH · $161k · 2016–2019

Frequent coauthors

• Christopher M. Reilly

  104 shared

• Qinghui Mu

  Stanford University

  67 shared

• Leila Abdelhamid

  Virginia Tech

  66 shared

• Xavier Cabana-Puig

  63 shared

• Thomas E. Cecere

  Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

  54 shared

• Xiaofeng Liao

  Hubei University of Arts and Science

  44 shared

• Brianna Swartwout

  Virginia Tech

  44 shared

• Michael Edwards

  Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

  34 shared