Chapter 210 - 187: Written on Scrap Paper: Immunomodulatory Mechanism

Chapter 210: Chapter 187: Written on Scrap Paper: Immunomodulatory Mechanism

The core of this was how the single immunoglobulin interleukin-1 receptor-related protein influenced the signaling pathways of NK cells, Th1 cells, and TLRs to exert its immunosuppressive effect...

Wu Ting began to sketch schematic diagrams detailing the precise mechanisms of these cells and signaling pathways in chronic hepatitis B...

After working through his deductions, Wu Ting distilled it all into a final summary:

The complete immunomodulatory mechanism:

SIGIRR-based therapy would activate TLR4 through negative feedback. This would elevate levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as NKG2A on the surface of NK cells, as well as IL-6 and TNF-α. Consequently, anti-inflammatory cytokines like IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-18 would decrease, ultimately triggering immunosuppression...

This post-operative modulation would suppress the replication of the hepatitis B virus within the patient, improving their prognosis. The ultimate goal was to achieve a complete, radical cure for early-to-mid-stage primary liver cancer complicated by cirrhosis.

As Wu Ting sketched away, Huang Dian, bored out of his mind, glanced over casually. ’How could I possibly understand such obscure and profound principles and mechanisms?’

Huang Dian could only recognize a few immunology-related metrics. ’This must be the immunomodulation stuff Dr. Wu has been learning from Director Shen,’ he thought.

He had to admit, he was a little impressed with Wu Ting. He had been invited here to assist with the Perfect Triple Method, yet he still had the focus to delve into the details of immunomodulation.

’But for a beginner like Wu Ting, how much value could he really provide?’

However, Huang Dian didn’t say anything. ’In a major consultation like this, people like him and Wu Ting are just here to listen to the experts talk. We’re not really supposed to offer opinions, and we don’t have the right to speak anyway.’

’Wu Ting isn’t sketching all this to actually contribute to the consultation. He’s probably just trying to make a good impression on Director Shen.’

’Whether you actually know your stuff is one thing, but showing the right attitude is something else entirely.’

Huang Dian made a mental note to copy Wu Ting’s study habits for his own use later. ’Performance in the consultation isn’t the key. Leaving a good impression on your direct mentor is what’s really important.’

Huang Dian craned his neck for another look at Wu Ting’s drafted notes. Although he didn’t understand such cutting-edge theories or what Wu Ting was drawing, the diagrams themselves looked quite professional, almost like textbook illustrations.

Since these were just draft schematics, Wu Ting hadn’t written out the full scientific names, just simple abbreviations. He planned to discuss them with his mentor before the consultation began.

Meanwhile, in the director’s office, Director Shen was still deep in thought, sketching out her own ideas.

After all, in her field of cardiology, surgeries for conditions like cardiomyopathy or heart transplants involved positive immunomodulation, an area where she had extensive experience.

However, the pathogenesis of the hepatitis B virus was unique; based on her understanding and reasoning, it should involve negative regulation.

There were many researchers and projects focused on positive regulation in the current field of immunology, and Shen Siyuan was a first-rate expert among them. She was perfectly comfortable with its clinical applications. When it came to negative regulation, however, she was fumbling in the dark.

This was especially true when trying to integrate it with the pathogenesis of the hepatitis B virus, which required a complete theoretical framework and the derivation of a core mechanism.

Director Shen had studied one or two potential negative regulation mechanisms under her own mentor in the past, but her knowledge was neither systematic nor complete.

She glanced at the time; the consultation was about to start.

Shen Siyuan recalled that her prized student, Wu Ting, seemed quite accomplished in immunology. ’If he could earn the admiration and appreciation of Professor Jin, he must have some real substance.’

Shen Siyuan decided to go talk things over with Wu Ting.

Shen Siyuan left her office and found Wu Ting.

Coincidentally, Wu Ting wanted to speak with Shen Siyuan as well. To give his mentor a sense of participation, Wu Ting had skillfully omitted a few key points from his deductions.

These key points just so happened to fall within his mentor’s area of research. That way, during their conversation, he could "suddenly realize" and cleverly integrate them, making it appear as though the draft proposal was completed under his mentor’s brilliant guidance.

After all, this master’s thesis project would require substantial financial support, so Wu Ting needed his mentor to help him apply for research funding.

After all, graduate projects at Jinggang University Medical College were eligible for funding from the college, and it would be foolish not to take that money.

Therefore, it was necessary to get Teacher Shen deeply involved. That way, she would be more motivated to secure additional support for the project.

"Professor, I’ve reviewed the patient’s case. Combining that with the immunological theories I’ve been studying and a recent discussion I had with Professor Jin, I’ve come up with some ideas and a potential treatment framework for a radical cure for primary HBV-related liver cancer..."

Wu Ting began to explain with ease and confidence.

Seeing Wu Ting’s confident demeanor, Shen Siyuan was slightly amused. ’This cheeky kid certainly talks big.’

’I wouldn’t even dare to talk about a treatment framework, let alone make bold claims about a radical cure.’

Still, Shen Siyuan wanted to test Wu Ting’s recent understanding and perspective on immunomodulation.

Director Shen decided to hear out Wu Ting’s ideas before presenting her own.

Shen Siyuan took the draft sketches from Wu Ting’s hands to have a look.

Because of Wu Ting’s intentional omissions and the lack of detailed labels, Shen Siyuan didn’t fully grasp the intricacies of the diagrams at first. However, the schematics had a powerful visual impact, and with her excellent memory, she instinctively committed them to heart with a single glance.

Just as Shen Siyuan was about to ask for Wu Ting’s detailed explanation, her phone began to vibrate.

A glance at the screen showed it was a call from Director Fu.

"Director Shen, Dean Chen over at Xuanshang University Affiliated Tumor Hospital has freed up his schedule and they’re already testing the connection. The consultation is about to start. You and Dr. Wu need to get to the conference room, quickly."

Shen Siyuan held great respect and admiration for Dean Chen. The chance to discuss a case with him was a rare opportunity.

Furthermore, Dean Chen had conducted profound research into immunomodulation, especially in the context of primary HBV-related liver cancer. His level of expertise was far beyond what she and Wu Ting, a couple of amateurs with some last-minute self-study, could hope to match.

Since she was about to hear Dean Chen’s systematic approach, Shen Siyuan lost interest in continuing her rudimentary internal discussion with Wu Ting.

"Wu Ting, we’re out of time. We need to go to the consultation now."

Shen Siyuan folded Wu Ting’s notes and tucked them into her pocket. After all, such a crude, internal discussion wasn’t something she could present to others. It would be embarrassing in front of Dean Chen.

Wu Ting, for his part, wasn’t worried. This was a good chance to see what kind of diagnostic and treatment approach the dean of Jin Country’s so-called top tumor hospital had for early-to-mid-stage primary HBV-related liver cancer.

Shen Siyuan, Wu Ting, and Huang Dian quickly made their way to the Hepatic Tumor Surgery conference room. Shen Xiaofei was there with Cao Dongge, and Director Fu had brought Liu Xingye. It seemed all the top talent had been assembled.