At 14:30 on April 7, 2026, the "Academic Activity Month" commemorating the 105th anniversary of Nanchang University, held in conjunction with the fourth session of the 2026 Elite Forum of the School of Life Sciences, convened in Room A102A of the Foundation Experimental Building at the Qianhu Campus. The forum was hosted by Professor Xiaoli Tian, Director of the Institute of Human Aging, School of Life Sciences. The keynote address was delivered by Researcher Hui Zhang, Deputy Director of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and Head of a research group at the Institute of Precision Medicine. His report, titled "Mechanisms of Immune-Mediated Vascular Injury in Rheumatic Diseases," was presented to the school's faculty and students.

Professor Zhang has dedicated extensive research to the immunological mechanisms underlying persistent vascular inflammation in large-vessel vasculitis. In his report, he elucidated the core finding that adventitial fibroblasts induce the formation of tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) via the NAMPT/NAD⁺ axis, thereby driving sustained vascular inflammation and neovascularization. He provided an in-depth analysis of how the positive feedback loop between T cells and fibroblasts impedes the resolution of local inflammation. Furthermore, he proposed novel therapeutic strategies for refractory large-vessel vasculitis by targeting the CD38 enzyme or the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Addressing practical challenges such as low clinical response rates and persistent local inflammation, Professor Zhang systematically presented research achievements spanning from basic immunology to translational applications. His presentation integrated cutting-edge mechanisms—including the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, NAMPT metabolic checkpoints, TRM cell differentiation, and GM-CSF-mediated angiogenesis—as thematic threads to deliver a compelling academic discourse.

The report generated significant interest among attending faculty and students, fostering a vibrant atmosphere during the interactive session. Participants engaged in profound discussions with Professor Zhang regarding key issues highlighted in the report, particularly the interaction mechanisms between TRM cells and fibroblasts. In response to widespread inquiries concerning the operational procedures and technical challenges of murine vascular transplantation surgery, Professor Zhang provided detailed elucidations based on his team's published findings, further enriching the scholarly ambiance of the event. The conference concluded with Professor Xiaoli Tian expressing sincere gratitude to Professor Zhang for his insightful presentation.