Dr. Yanling Xiao

Research

With a background in medicine and a PhD in mucosal immunology, I have a long-standing experience with all technical approaches in immunology, including use of mouse model systems, in vitro culture of primary cells and complex flow cytometry. A large part of my work at the Netherlands Cancer Institute has been focused on regulation of T- and B cell immunity and dendritic cell (DC) function by costimulatory TNF receptor family members and their ligands. Over the past 10 years, I have developed a research line on mouse and human myeloid cell development. I have set up human and mouse myeloid progenitor differentiation systems that allow us to generate in vitro DC, LC, osteoclasts and monocytes/macrophages. We have recently used the human system to study Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) with dr. A. van Halteren at the LUMC.

Our central aim is to exploit human DC function to optimize cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses to cancer. Inspired by the “CD4 T cell help” theory proposed by Prof. Jannie Borst, I have, together with my team members, developed a human in vitro DC-T culture system that reveals “help” for the CTL response. We aim to use this system to identify and program tumor specific CD8 T cellsWith the aid of TotalSeq single cell sequencing, we are studying in depth primary human DC subsets and their role in “help” delivery.

 

Curriculum vitae

I obtained my MD degree from Tongji Medical University in China in 1986, and worked there as an otolaryngologist for 5 years. I performed my PhD studies at Oita Medical University in Japan and graduated in 1997. After coming to the Netherlands, I worked in biotech industry and subsequently joined the research group Prof. Jannie Borst at the Netherlands Cancer Institute at the end of 1999. I started as postdoc/senior research scientist, became associated staff scientist in 2014 and joined the LUMC as assistant professor in July 2019. Together with Prof. Jannie Borst, I am a project leader of multiple DC-centered research lines. 

 

Publications

  • CD4+ helper T cells endow cDC1 with cancer-impeding functions in the human tumor micro-environment

    Lei X, Khatri I, de Wit T, de Rink I, Nieuwland M, Kerkhoven R, van Eenennaam H, Sun C, Garg AD, Borst J & Xiao Y

    Nat Commun. 14:217, 2023

  • Trial watch: Dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy for cancer

    Laureano, R.S., Sprooten, J., Vanmeerbeerk, I., Borras, D.M., Govaerts, J., Naulaerts, S., Berneman, Z.N., Beuselinck, B., Bol, K.F., Borst, J., Coosemans, A.... Xiao, Y., Garg, A.D

    Oncoimmunology 11:2096363, 2022

  • Bone marrow-derived myeloid p 1 rogenitors as driver mutation carriers in high- and low-risk Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

    Xiao, Y., van Halteren, A.G.S., Lei, X., Borst, Je., Steenwijk, E., de Wit, T., Grabowska, J., Voogd, R., Kemps. P., Picarsic, J., van den Bos, C., and Borst, J.

    Blood 136: 2188-2199, 2020

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