Dr. Ji Li Pharmacology And Toxicology Assistant Professor 615 Biomedical Research Building Buffalo NY, 14214 Email: jli23@buffalo.edu View map

OFFICE LOCATIONS

LAB 610 Biomedical Research Building View map

SPECIALTIES

Cardiovascular Disease Oncology Molecular and Cellular Biology Molecular genetics Regulation of metabolism Signal Transduction

EDUCATION

1998	Ph.D., Cell Biology Lanzhou University
1992	M.S., Biophysics Lanzhou University
1989	B.S., Biochemistry Lanzhou University

EXPERTISE

Signaling transduction: AMP-activated protein kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase, protein-protein interactions; Gene regulation: mRNA analysis, RT-PCR, ChIP assay, electromobility shift assay; Metabolism: Glucose uptake, glycolysis, glucose oxidation, fatty acid oxidation, fatty acid transport.

RESEARCH INTERESTS MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE: The principle focus of our lab is in understanding the molecular mechanism of coronary artery disease, the most common origin of cardiovascular disease that occurs with aging. Currently our research pertains to the signaling mechanisms that underlie the reduced tolerance to cardiac ischemia/reperfusion stress seen in the elderly with the hope of devising novel strategies to prevent the decline or boost responsiveness in aged populations. In addition, we would like to explore the intrinsic relationship between diabetes and cardiovascular diseases by investigating the role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulation in myocardial glucose metabolism. AMPK is characterized by its ability to bind to AMP, through which it can adjust enzymatic activity by sensing the cellular energy status and can maintain the balance between ATP production and consumption in eukaryotic cells. AMPK has emerged as an important intracellular signaling pathway in the heart. The latest evidence suggests that AMPK may protect the heart from ischemic injury and limit the development of cardiac myocyte hypertrophy to various stimuli. Cardiac AMPK is activated by hormones, cytokines, and oral hypoglycemic drugs that are used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. We are working on elucidating the molecular mechanisms responsible for AMPK activation, novel downstream AMPK targets, and the therapeutic potential of targeting AMPK for the prevention and treatment of myocardial ischemia, cardiac hypertrophy and diabetes.

RESEARCH INTERESTS STUDY OF TUMOR CELLS: Another aspect of our research is the study of tumor cells. Considerable laboratory evidence from chemical, cell culture, and animal studies indicates that antioxidants can modulate the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in tumor cells. There is emerging evidence that AMPK is a potential drug target for caner treatment. Our current studies have demonstrated that natural antioxidants extracted from Chinese herbal medicines inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells via regulation of the redox status of intracellular environment. We are attempting to find out the signaling targets (such as AMPK etc) of the natural antioxidants for modulating the redox status of tumor cells and developing a strategy for cancer therapy with natural products from herbal medicines.

PUBLICATIONS

Zhao P, Wang J, He L, Ma H, Zhang X, Zhu X, Dolence EK, Ren J, Li J; Deficiency in TLR4 Signal Transduction Ameliorates Cardiac Injury and Cardiomyocyte Contractile Dysfunction during Ischemia.; J Cell Mol Med; 2009 Jun; 13; 1513-1525

Zhao P, Wang J, Xiao Y, He L, Tong C, Wang Z, Zheng Q, Dolence K, Nair S, Ren J and Li J.; A newly synthetic chromium complex–chromium (D-Phenylalanine)3 activates AMP-activated protein kinase and stimulates glucose transport.; Biochem Pharm; 2009; 77; 1002-1010

Wang J, Ma H, Zhang X, He L, Wu J, Gao X, Ren J, Li J.; A Novel AMPK activator from Chinese herb medicine and ischemia phosphorylate the cardiac transcription factor FOXO3.; Int J Physiol Pathophysiol Pharm; 2009; 1; 116-126

Ma H, Li SY, Xu P, Dolence K, Babcock SA, Brownlee M, Li J and Ren J.; Advanced glycation endproduct (AGE) accumulation and AGE receptor (RAGE) upregulation contribute to the onset of diabetic cardiomyopathy.; J Cell Mol Med; 2009;

Ma H, Li J, Gao F and Ren J.; Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) ameliorates acute cardiac toxicity of ethanol: role of protein phosphatase and forkhead transcription factor.; J Am Coll Cardiol; 2009;

Li D, Wang Z, Chen H, Wang J, Zheng Q, Shang J and Li J.; Isoliquiritigenin induces monocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells.; Free Rad Biol Med; 2009; 46; 731-736

Li Q, Li J, Ren J.; UCF-101 mitigates stretozotocin-induced cardiomyocyte dysfunction: role of AMP-activated protein kinase.; American Journal of Physiology; 2009; 297; E965-E973

Zhao P, Xiao X, Kim A, Leite F, Xu J, Zhu X, Ren J and Li J.; c-Jun Inhibits thapsigargin-induced apoptosis through up-regulation of DCRS1/Adapt78.; Exp Biol Med; 2008; 233; 1289-1300

Li Q, Ceylan-Isik AF, Li J and Ren J.; Deficiency of Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) leads to resistance against aging-associated cardiomyocyte dysfunction.; Rejuvenation Res; 2008; 11; 725-733

Miller EJ*, Li J*, Leng L, McDonald C, Atsumi T, Bucala R and Young LH. (*equal contribution); Macrophage migration inhibitory factor stimulates AMP-activated protein kinase; Nature; 2008; 451; 578-582

Reznick RM, Zong H, Li J, Morino K, Moore IK, Yu HJ, Liu Z, Dong J, Mustard KJ, Hawley SA, Befroy D, Pypaert M, Hardie DG, Young LH and Shulman GI.; Aging-associated reductions in AMP-activated protein kinase activity and mitochondrial biogenesis; Cell Metabolism; 2007; 5; 151-156

Miller EJ, Li J, Sinusas KM, Holman GD, Young LH.; Infusion of a biotinylated bis-glucose photolabel: a new method to quantify cell surface GLUT4 in the intact mouse heart.; Am J Physiol; 2007; 292; E1922-E1928

Zhang L, Li J, Young LH and Caplan MJ.; AMP-activated protein kinase regulates the assembly of epithelial tight junctions.; P Natl Acad Sci USA (PNAS); 2006; 103; 17272-17277

Shi X, Leng L, Wang T, Wang W, Du X, Li J, McDonald C, Chen Z, Murphy JW, Lolis E, Noble P, Knudson W and Bucala R.; CD44 is the signaling component of MIF CD74 receptor complex.; Immunity; 2006; 25; 595-606