Neuro-Immune Fitness Lab

Research Approaches

Our laboratory integrates cutting-edge, multi-omics and genetic approaches, including high-throughput genetic screens, RNA sequencing, proteomics, lipidomics, and transgenic mouse models. This systems-level toolkit allows us to dissect neuro-immune regulation across molecular, cellular, and organismal scales.

Selected Publications

1. Zhang J, St Pierre Schneider B, Muguerza E, Chung E, Hsu CG. Synergistic potential of TREM2 agonists and exercise training in Alzheimer’s disease. American Journal of Physiology – Endocrinology and Metabolism, (IF:4.6) 2026; Online ahead of print. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00124.2025
2. Berk BC, Chávez CL, Hsu CG. PDE10A inhibition reduces NLRP3 activation and pyroptosis in sepsis and nerve injury. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, (IF:5.7) 2025; 26(10):4498. doi:10.3390/ijms26104498.
3. Berk BC, Pereira A, Vizcarra VS, Pröschel C, Hsu CG. Spinal cord injury enhances lung inflammation and exacerbates immune response following exposure to LPS. Frontiers in Immunology, 2025; 15:1483402. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2024.1483402.
4. Hsu CG, Li WJ, Chavez CL, Zhang C, Sowden M, Berk BC. Pnpt1 mediates NLRP3 inflammasome activation by MAVS and metabolic reprogramming in macrophages. Cellular & Molecular Immunology (IF: 24.1) 2023, 20(2):131-142.
5. Hsu CG, Chavez CL, Zhang C, Sowden M, Yan C, Berk BC. The lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and macrophage pyroptosis. Cell Death & Differentiation (IF: 13.3)  2022, 29(9), 1790-1803.
6. Hsu CG, Fazal F, Rahman A, Berk BC, Yan C. Phosphodiesterase 10A Is a Key Mediator of Lung Inflammation. The Journal of Immunology (IF: 6.173)  2021, 206:3010-20.
7. Hsu CG, Talukder MAH, Yue L, Turpin LC, Noble M, Elfar JC. Human equivalent dose of oral 4-aminopyridine differentiates nerve crush injury from transection injury and improves post-injury function in mice. Neural regeneration research (IF: 6.1)  2020, 15:2098-107.

Research Focus

The Neuro-Immune Fitness Lab explores how the nervous and immune systems interact to respond to stress, injury, and aging, influencing recovery and human performance. Using clinically relevant models, including peripheral nerve injury, spinal cord injury, sepsis, and exercise or inactivity paradigms, we study neuro-immune control of inflammation and its resolution. Our goal is to identify mechanisms that preserve neuro-immune adaptability, promote recovery, and enhance resilience in health and disease.

Mechanistic Discovery

When neuro-immune regulation is impaired, macrophages lose their ability to transition from inflammatory responders to pro-resolving repair cells. Persistent activation drives pathological lipid remodeling and metabolic stress, compromising mitochondrial fitness and inter-organelle communication. This failure of immune resolution prolongs inflammation, delays tissue repair, and ultimately limits functional recovery.

Potential Impact

The Immune Fitness Lab's research endeavors have the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life for individuals, particularly athletes and warfighters. By optimizing immune function, the lab's findings could lead to improved health, performance, and recovery, ultimately contributing to overall well-being and optimal functioning.

Lab News

• Hsu, Hargreaves, Hsieh, Rathbone and Kirma, Park, Umeda and Han received the 2026 UT San Antonio Health Research Challenge grant. Titled: Neuro-Immune Resilience and the Biology of Chronic Pain.
• Hsu and Hargreaves received the 2026 UT San Antonio HCAP seed grant.
• One poster presentation was accepted to the 2026 UT System Trauma Research Symposium:
  • Elias Muguerza, titled TREM2–NLRP3 Interactions Drive Age- and Sex-Specific Sepsis Severity.
• Our manuscript, “Synergistic potential of TREM2 agonists and exercise training in Alzheimer’s disease,” has been accepted for publication in the American Journal of Physiology – Endocrinology and Metabolism.
• Our manuscript, “TREM2 as a regulator of obesity-induced cardiac remodeling: mechanisms and therapeutic insights.,” has been accepted for publication in the American Journal of Physiology – Heart and Circulatory Physiology.
• Our manuscript, “Epidemiology, Symptoms, and Pathophysiology of Long COVID Complications,” has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Cellular Immunology
• Our manuscript, 'Spinal Cord Injury Enhances Lung Inflammation and Exacerbates Immune Response Following Exposure to LPS,' has been accepted for publication in Frontiers in Immunology, under the Inflammation section
• Three poster presentations were accepted to the 2025 UT System Trauma Research Symposium:
  • Chia George Hsu, titled Inflammation-Induced Resistance to Ferroptosis in Macrophages, has been accepted
  • Jinmin Zhang, titled PDE10A Inhibition Reduces NLRP3 Inflammasome and Muscle Atrophy After Nerve Injury
  • Elias Muguerza, titled Spinal Cord Injury Enhances Lung Inflammation and Exacerbates Immune Response After Acute Lung Injury
• Elias Muguerza received Lynn P. Thomson Endowed Scholarship Fund and submitted an abstract for TRC4
• Camry Gonzalez received the Fall 2024 Provost’s Undergraduate Research Fellowship and was awarded the Fall 2024 HCAP Experiential Opportunity Program
• Xavier Chavarria and Camry Gonzalez presented their works during the Roadrunner Experience Showcase on November 1, 2024

Research Opportunities

Research opportunities may be available to qualified and well-motivated undergraduate and graduate students. The undergraduate students may earn course-credits through research opportunities (KIN4913 Independent Study, KIN4933 Practicum in Kinesiology Research). The Master’s students may work on a thesis project under the direction of a Kinesiology faculty member. Funding may also be available to assist the research work of undergraduate and graduate students. Please contact Dr. Hsu for more information.