Zhen Y. Jiang, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics
Biography
Experience
Dr. Jiang was trained as a Medical Doctor before earning his M.S. in Pharmacology from Peking Union Medical College, China, and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from University College, the University of London, UK. He did his postdoctoral research training at the Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School in Boston before working as an Instructor/Research Assistant Professor in the Program in Molecular Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Dr. Jiang was then recruited to the Diabetes and Obesity Research Center at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute as an Assistant Professor in 2008. Dr. Jiang has been a faculty member in the Department of Pharmacology and Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute at Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine since 2013.
Research Interests
Jiang lab is interested in understanding how nutritional factors, obesity and gut microbiota influence myelopoiesis and innate immunity in connection with adipose inflammation, insulin sensitivity, metabolic and vascular functions. Currently, Jiang lab is mainly focused on the following research areas: (1) Understanding how innate immunity regulates metabolic and vascular functions. In particular, we are exploring the role of neutrophils and neutrophil elastase in the development of adipose inflammation, insulin resistance and vascular dysfunction (Mansuy-Aubert V et al, Cell Metabolism 2013). (2) Investigating the role of CDP138, a novel calcium-binding phosphoprotein, in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolisms, thermogenesis, fat browning, and cardiovascular functions (Xie X et al, Cell Metabolism 2011). Approaches used in the lab include flow cytometry, live cell imaging, bone marrow transplantation, transcriptional regulation, cell differentiation, and genetically modified animal models fed with high-fat diet.
Other Positions
- Associate Professor, Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition & Weight Management, Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
- Member, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, Boston University
- Associate Professor, Cardiovascular Medicine, Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
- Graduate Faculty (Primary Mentor of Grad Students), Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Graduate Medical Sciences
Education
- Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, MD
- University of London, PhD
- China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), MSc
Publications
- Published on 7/25/2022
Ushakumari CJ, Zhou QL, Wang YH, Na S, Rigor MC, Zhou CY, Kroll MK, Lin BD, Jiang ZY. Neutrophil Elastase Increases Vascular Permeability and Leukocyte Transmigration in Cultured Endothelial Cells and Obese Mice. Cells. 2022 Jul 25; 11(15). PMID: 35892585.
Read at: PubMed - Published on 3/29/2018
Zhou QL, Song Y, Huang CH, Huang JY, Gong Z, Liao Z, Sharma AG, Greene L, Deng JZ, Rigor MC, Xie X, Qi S, Ayala JE, Jiang ZY. Membrane Trafficking Protein CDP138 Regulates Fat Browning and Insulin Sensitivity through Controlling Catecholamine Release. Mol Cell Biol. 2018 04 15; 38(8). PMID: 29378832.
Read at: PubMed - Published on 2/15/2017
Huang JY, Zhou QL, Huang CH, Song Y, Sharma AG, Liao Z, Zhu K, Massidda MW, Jamieson RR, Zhang JY, Tenen DG, Jiang ZY. Neutrophil Elastase Regulates Emergency Myelopoiesis Preceding Systemic Inflammation in Diet-induced Obesity. J Biol Chem. 2017 Mar 24; 292(12):4770-4776. PMID: 28202548.
Read at: PubMed - Published on 4/2/2013
Mansuy-Aubert V, Zhou QL, Xie X, Gong Z, Huang JY, Khan AR, Aubert G, Candelaria K, Thomas S, Shin DJ, Booth S, Baig SM, Bilal A, Hwang D, Zhang H, Lovell-Badge R, Smith SR, Awan FR, Jiang ZY. Imbalance between neutrophil elastase and its inhibitor a1-antitrypsin in obesity alters insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and energy expenditure. Cell Metab. 2013 Apr 2; 17(4):534-48. PMID: 23562077.
Read at: PubMed - Published on 9/7/2011
Xie X, Gong Z, Mansuy-Aubert V, Zhou QL, Tatulian SA, Sehrt D, Gnad F, Brill LM, Motamedchaboki K, Chen Y, Czech MP, Mann M, Krüger M, Jiang ZY. C2 domain-containing phosphoprotein CDP138 regulates GLUT4 insertion into the plasma membrane. Cell Metab. 2011 Sep 7; 14(3):378-89. PMID: 21907143.
Read at: PubMed - Published on 6/28/2010
Zhou QL, Jiang ZY, Mabardy AS, Del Campo CM, Lambright DG, Holik J, Fogarty KE, Straubhaar J, Nicoloro S, Chawla A, Czech MP. A novel pleckstrin homology domain-containing protein enhances insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation and GLUT4 translocation in adipocytes. J Biol Chem. 2010 Sep 3; 285(36):27581-9. PMID: 20587420.
Read at: PubMed - Published on 5/1/2008
Zhou QL, Jiang ZY, Holik J, Chawla A, Hagan GN, Leszyk J, Czech MP. Akt substrate TBC1D1 regulates GLUT1 expression through the mTOR pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Biochem J. 2008 May 1; 411(3):647-55. PMID: 18215134.
Read at: PubMed - Published on 3/30/2005
Jiang ZY, Zhou QL, Holik J, Patel S, Leszyk J, Coleman K, Chouinard M, Czech MP. Identification of WNK1 as a substrate of Akt/protein kinase B and a negative regulator of insulin-stimulated mitogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. J Biol Chem. 2005 Jun 3; 280(22):21622-8. PMID: 15799971.
Read at: PubMed - Published on 11/1/2004
Zhou QL, Park JG, Jiang ZY, Holik JJ, Mitra P, Semiz S, Guilherme A, Powelka AM, Tang X, Virbasius J, Czech MP. Analysis of insulin signalling by RNAi-based gene silencing. Biochem Soc Trans. 2004 Nov; 32(Pt 5):817-21. PMID: 15494023.
Read at: PubMed - Published on 1/1/2004
Zhou QL, Park JG, Jiang ZY, Holik J, Mitra P, Semitz S, Guilherme A, Powelka AM, Tang X, Virbasius J, Czech MP. Analysis of insulin signaling by si RNA-b ased gene silencing. Biochemical Soc. Transactions. 2004; 32:817-21.
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