Pu-Ste Liu
Assistant Professor
EDUCATION
- Ph.D., Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan (2003 – 2010)
- M.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan (2000 – 2002)
- B.S., Medical Laboratory Science Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung,Taiwan (1996 - 2000)
EXPERIENCES
- Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan (2024 - present)
- Assistant Investigator, Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan (2018 – 2024)
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Ludwig Center for Cancer Research, Epalinges, Switzerland (2015 - 2018)
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine Minneapolis, University of Minnesota, MN, USA (2011 - 2014)
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan (2010 - 2011)
RESEARCH FIELD
- Immunology
- Immunometabolism
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Cancer Immunotherapy
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Our research endeavors to unravel the intricate role of macrophage immunometabolism in chronic inflammatory diseases and their progression, with a primary focus on metabolic syndromes such as type II diabetes, insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Employing a multidisciplinary approach encompassing transcriptomics, metabolomics, and epigenomics, we aim to pinpoint metabolic checkpoints and elucidate the mechanisms through which these metabolic regulators modulate macrophage activation and function throughout disease advancement. We place particular emphasis on understanding the dynamics within specialized disease microenvironments, such as adipose tissues in diabetes mellitus, the arterial microenvironment in atherosclerosis, and tumor sites.
- Our research interest lies in targeting the immunometabolic circuits within adipose tissue macrophages (ATM), atherosclerotic macrophages, and cancer-associated macrophages (TAM) to enhance their functionality and ultimately improve disease outcomes. By comprehensively understanding the metabolic-immunity interplay of macrophages, particularly in disease contexts, we endeavor to identify novel therapeutic targets for obesity-associated metabolic disorders and anticancer interventions. Through our work, we aspire to contribute to the development of innovative strategies for managing these debilitating conditions.
- Our recent projects:
- Trained innate immunity in obesity and obesity-induced atherosclerosis.
- Mitochondrial fitness orchestrates macrophage activation and functions in tumor microenvironment.
Publications:
- Liu PS*, Chen YT, Li XY, Hsueh PC, Tzeng SF, Shi PZ, Xie X, Parik S, Fendt S-M, Ho PC*. CD40 signal rewires fatty acid and glutamine metabolism for stimulating macrophage anti-tumorigenic functions. Nature Immunology, 2023, 24, 452-62.
- Raines LN, Zhao H, Wang Y, Chen H-Y, Gallart-Ayala H, Hsueh P-C, Cao W, Koh Y, Alamonte-Loya A, Liu PS, Ivanisevic J, Lio C-WJ, Ho P-C, Huang SC-C. PERK is a critical metabolic hub for immunosuppressive function in macrophages. Nature Immunology, 2022, 23, 431–445.
- Yu YR, Imrichova H, Wang H, Chao T, Xiao Z, Gao M, Rincon-Restrepo M, Franco F, Genolet R, Cheng WC, Jandus C, Coukos G, Jiang YF, Lo-casale JW, Zippelius A, Liu PS, Tang L, Bock C, Vannini N, Ho PC. Disturbed mitochondrial dynamics in CD8 + TILs reinforce T cell exhaustion. Nature Immunology, 2021, 21, 1540–1551.
- Xie X, Liu PS, Percipalle P. Analysis of global transcriptome changes in mouse embryonic fibroblasts after dsDNA and dsRNA viral mimic stimulation. Frontiers in Immunology, section Molecular Innate Immunity, 2019, 17, April.
- Liu PS, Ho PC. Determining macrophage polarization upon metabolic perturbation. Methods in Molecular Biology, 2018 ;1862; 173-186.
- Liu PS*, Ho PC. Mitochondria: A master regulator in macrophage and T cell immunity. Mitochondrion, 2018; 41; 45-50.
- Lin YW, Liu PS, Pook KA, Wei LN. Glyburide and retinoic acid synergize to promote wound healing by anti- inflammation and RIP140 degradation. Scientific Reports, 2018; 8; 834.
- Liu PS, Wang HP, Li XY, Chao T, Teav T, Christen S, Di Conza G, Chen WC, Chou CH, Vavakova M, Muret C, Debackere K, Mazzone M, Hung HD, Maria-Fendt S, Ivanisevic J, Ho PC. Integration of a-ketoglutarate/succinate balance controls macrophage polarization through immunometabolic and epigenetic reprogramming. Nature Immunology, 2017; 18; 985-994.
- Ho PC, Liu PS. Metabolic communication in tumors: a new layer of immunoregulation for immune evasion. Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer, 2016; 4: 4.
- Lin YW, Lee B, Liu PS, Wei LN. Receptor-interacting protein 140 orchestrates the dynamics of macrophage M1/M2 polarization. Journal of Innate Immunity, 2016; 8: 97-107.
- Liu PS, Lin YW, Burton FH, Wei LN. Injecting engineered anti-inflammatory macrophages therapeutically induces white adipose tissue browning and improves diet-induced insulin resistance. Adipocyte, 2015; 4: 123-128.
- Liu PS, Lin YW, Burton FH, Wei LN. M1-M2 balancing act in white adipose tissue browning – a new role for RIP140. Adipocyte, 2015; 4: 146-148.
- Lin YW, Liu PS, Adhikari N, Hall JL, Wei LN. RIP140 contributes to foam cell formation and atherosclerosis by regulating cholesterol homeostasis in macrophages. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, 2015; 79: 287-294.
- Liu PS, Lin YW, Lee B, McCrady-Spitzer SK, Levine JA, Wei LN. Reducing RIP140 expression in macrophage alters ATM infiltration, facilitates white adipose tissue browning and prevents high fat diet-induced insulin resistance. Diabetes, 2014; 63: 4021-4031.
- Liu PS, Jong TH, Maa MC, Leu TH. The interplay between Eps8 and IRSp53 contributes to Src-mediated transformation. Oncogene, 2010; 29: 3977-89.
- Shiau AL, Liu PS and Wu CL. Novel strategy for generation and titration of recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors. Journal of Virology, 2005; 79: 193-201.