Dr. Tsai’s laboratory is part of the Acute Lung Injury (ALI) Center, directed by Rama Mallampalli, MD, which is a specialized research center focused on understanding the basic lung biology of pulmonary inflammation and development of novel therapeutics.
Dr. Tsai’s research program is investigating the role of the E3 ubiquitin ligase MARCH10, which is a protein that has never been described in the lungs in the context of influenza virus infection with no known role in pulmonary immunity. She currently holds several grants including the American Lung Association Catalyst Award and NIH K08 to understand the biological mechanisms by which lung epithelial cells respond to influenza virus infections and modulate the lung innate immune response and translate these findings into novel therapeutics to prevent and treat viral infections and its associated lung injury.
Our Team
Research projects
Department of Internal Medicine Junior Investigator Award, 2023-2024
The Role of E3 Ligase MARCH10 in Influenza Virus Infection
Role: PI
Research Innovation Career Development Award, 2023-2024
The Role of E3 Ligase MARCH10 in Influenza Virus Infection
Role: PI
American Lung Association Catalyst Award, 2023-2025
MARCH10 Effects on Cilia during Influenza Infection
Role: PI
OSU Physician Scientist Retention in Research Grant, 2024
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation through the COVID-19 Fund to Retain Clinical Scientists
The Role of E3 Ligase MARCH10 in Influenza Virus Infection
NHLBI K08 HL171895-01, 2024-2029
The Role of E3 Ligase MARCH10 in Influenza Virus Infection
Role: PI
Publications
Tsai M, Rayner RE, Chafin L, Farkas D, Adair J, Mishan C, Mallampalli RK, Kim SH, Cormet-Boyaka E, Londino JD. Influenza virus reduces ubiquitin E3 ligase MARCH10 expression to decrease ciliary beat frequency. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2023 May 1;324(5):L666-L676. doi: 10.1152/ajplung.00191.2022. Epub 2023 Feb 28. PubMed PMID: 36852930; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10151042.
Tsai M, Osman W, Adair J, ElMergawy R, Chafin L, Johns F, Farkas D, Elhance A, Londino J, Mallampalli RK. The E3 ligase subunit FBXO45 binds the interferon-λ receptor and promotes its degradation during influenza virus infection. J Biol Chem. 2022 Dec;298(12):102698. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102698. Epub 2022 Nov 13. PubMed PMID: 36379255; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC9747586.
Mallampalli RK, Adair J, Elhance A, Farkas D, Chafin L, Long ME, De M, Mora AL, Rojas M, Peters V, Bednash JS, Tsai M, Londino JD. Interferon Lambda Signaling in Macrophages Is Necessary for the Antiviral Response to Influenza. Front Immunol. 2021;12:735576. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.735576. eCollection 2021. PubMed PMID: 34899695; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8655102.