Employee Directory

Research Interests and Ongoing Projects

1. Elucidating the roles of cGAMP-STING signaling in metabolic diseases (including NAFLD)

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an essential modulator of innate immunity and functions to promote macrophage proinflammatory activation. The Wu Lab provided primary evidence indicating that STING expression is significantly increased in liver non-parenchymal cells (NPCs) from individuals with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, formally non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) relative to that in livers from individuals without MASLD. Using various approaches involving chimeric mice and cell co-cultures, the Wu Lab demonstrated that STING-stimulated macrophage activation promotes the development and progression of MASLD (Figure 1, in Gastroenterology, 2018 PMID: 30036520). Currently, the Wu Lab is investigating how nutrition stress triggers STING activation as it relates to macrophage activation and the pathogenesis of chronic liver diseases.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001650851834959X?via%3Dihub

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1139339/full

2. Defining hepatocyte control of MASLD and obesity

As an enzyme that is expressed at the highest levels in the liver (hepatocytes), adenosine kinase catalyzes the phosphorylation of adenosine and functions to promote methionine cycle and methylation reactions. The Wu Lab provided the first line of evidence indicating that ADK amount is increased in livers of individuals with MASLD. Using multiple mouse models and cultured cells along with multi-omics, the Wu Lab demonstrated that ADK promotes excessive fat deposition in hepatocytes through decreasing fatty acid oxidation that is attributable to increased methylation of Ppara. In addition, ADK functions to promote liver inflammation in a manner involving STING activation in macrophages (Figure 2, Gastroenterology, 2023 PMID: 36181835). Currently, the Wu Lab is investigating how hepatocyte ADK responds to various nutritional stress and disease conditions to cause metabolic dysregulation with hope to develop novel and effective nutritional or pharmacological approaches for management of MASLD and associated chronic diseases.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001650852201085X?via%3Dihub

3. Defining metabolic control of adipocyte functions and macrophage activation

Inducible 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase, encoded by PFKFB3, is expressed at high abundance in proliferative cells including adipocytes and macrophages. The Wu Lab provided the first line of evidence indicating that the PFKFB3 in adipocytes plays a unique role in uncoupling obesity and inflammation. Upon extending their research into metabolic control of macrophage activation, the Wu Lab also demonstrated a role for PFKFB3 in regulating macrophage activation. In addition, the expression of PFKFB3 is stimulated by indole, a microbiota metabolite of tryptophan. This led to the validation of the importance of myeloid cell PFKFB3 in mediating the metabolic benefits of indole. While sharing similar functions in terms of suppressing the proinflammatory responses, the PFKFB3 in adipocytes versus macrophages examples cell-type-specific roles in metabolic control of cell functions (Figure 3). Currently, the Wu Lab is investing the role of PFKFB3 in mediating the benefits of functional foods and the associated bioactive components.

https://journals.lww.com/hep/fulltext/2020/10000/indole_alleviates_diet_induced_hepatic_steatosis.9.aspx

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955286321001844?via%3Dihub

NUTR 475: Nutrition and Physiological Chemistry

NUTR 481: Nutrition Seminar

NUTR 642: Human Nutritional Biochemistry

NUTR 681: Nutrition Seminar

Undergraduate (Professional) Education

Hubei University of Chinese Medicine (Wuhan), China. MD, Medicine, 1992

Graduate Education

Tongji Medical University (Wuhan), China. Master of Medical Science, 1995

Beijing Medical University, China. PhD in Medical Science, 1998

Grant Review 

2025-                Ad hoc Reviewer, ZRG1 KUDS-R04 NIH

2024-               Chair, RC2 ZDK1 GRB T/NIH; Ad hoc Reviewer, ZDK1 GRB-C/NIH; ZRG1 IIDB-X/NIH; NMHD/NIH

2021-2023      Chair, HCCS/NIH 

2019-2023       Standing Member, HCCS/NIH

2018:                Review Panel, NNF, USDA/NIFA

2017, 2018       Ad hoc Reviewer, NIDDK DDK-B, NIH/NIDDK

2017:                Ad hoc Reviewer, ZRG1 EMNR-W (02), NIH

2017:                Review Panel, Support of Competitive Research (SCORE) program, NIH/NIGMS

2016:                Ad hoc Reviewer, Integrative Nutrition and Metabolic Processes Study Section – INMP/NIH

                     Ad hoc Reviewer, ZRG1 DKUS P-54 Special emphasis Panel, NIH

2015, 2016       Ad hoc Reviewer, CADO/NIH, IPOD/NIH

2014                 Ad hoc Reviewer, Heart, Lung, and Blood Program Project Review Committee – HLBPP/NIH

2013, 2014       Ad hoc Reviewer, Integrative Physiology of Obese and Diabetes Study Section – IPOD/NIH

2012:                Early Career Reviewer, Cellular Aspects of Diabetes and Obesity Study Section – CADO/NIH

2010-2020       Member of peer-review committee (national), American Heart Association

2009:                Ad hoc reviewer, Hepatobiliary Pathophysiology Study Section – HBPP, NIH

Journal Review 

2016-present:  Member of editorial board, Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry

2009-present:  Ad hoc Reviewer for Obesity, J Mol Endo; Intl J Obesity; J Lipid Res; J Endo; Cell Reports, PLoS Genetics; Hepatology; Diabetes; Gut, JCI Insights, Nat Comm; Adv Science; CMGH

Honors

Junior Faculty Award, American Diabetes Association, 2010

Research Award, Minnesota Medical Foundation, 2004 Travel Award, Dept. of BMBB, the University of Minnesota, 2001

Pilot & Feasibility Research Award, Minnesota Obesity Center, 2002, 2005

Travel Award, The Center for Diabetes Research, University of Minnesota, 2001

Faculty Fellow Award, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, 2015

Innovative Basic Science Award, American Diabetes Association, 2017

Presidential Impact Fellow, TAMU, 2020

Complete List of Published Work in MyBibliography

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/chaodong.wu.1/bibliography/45482390/public/?sort=date&direction=ascending

Selected peer-reviewed articles from a list of over 123 articles - Since last promotion to Professor (in Sept 2018)

1. Luo X, Li H, Ma L, Zhou J (PhD student), Guo X, Woo SL, Pei Y (PhD student), Knight LR, Deveau M, Chen Y, Qian X, Xiao X, Li Q, Chen X, Huo Y, McDaniel K, Francis H, Glaser S, Meng F, Alpini G, Wu C (corresponding author). (2018)  Expression of STING Is Increased in Liver Tissues from Patients With NAFLD and Promotes Macrophage-mediated Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis in Mice. Gastroenterology. 2018 Dec;155(6):1971-1984.e4. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.09.010. Epub 2018 Sep 10.
2. Xu H, Fu Q, Zhou Y, Xue C, Olson P, Lynch EC, Zhang KK, Wu C, Murano P, Zhang L, Xie L. (2018) A long-term maternal diet intervention is necessary to avoid the obesogenic effect of maternal high-fat diet in the offspring. J Nutr Biochem 2018 Dec;62:210-220. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2018.09.008. Epub 2018 Sep 22.
3. Hou Y, Cao X, Hu X, Li X, Shi X, Wang H, Peng C, Li J, Li J, Li Q, Wu C, Xiao X. (2018) CMHX008, a PPARγ partial agonist, enhances insulin sensitivity with minor influences on bone loss. Genes Dis. 2018 Jun 6;5(3):290-299. doi: 10.1016/j.gendis.2018.05.004. eCollection 2018 Sep.
4. Pei Y (PhD student), Li H, Cai Y (visiting PhD student), Zhou J (PhD student), Luo X (Visiting PhD student), Ma L (Visiting PhD student), McDaniel K, Zeng T, Chen Y, Qian X, Huo Y, Glaser S, Meng F, Alpini G, Wu C (corresponding author). (2018)  Regulation of Adipose Tissue Inflammation by Adenosine 2A Receptor in Obese Mice. 2018 J Endocrinol, 2018 Dec 1;239(3):365-376. doi: 10.1530/JOE-18-0169.
5. Li X, Shi X, Hou Y, Cao X, Gong L, Wang H, Li J, Li J, Wu C, Xiao D, Qi H, Xiao X. (2018) Paternal hyperglycemia induces transgenerational inheritance of susceptibility to hepatic steatosis in rats involving altered methylation on Pparα promoter.  Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis. 2019 Jan;1865(1):147-160. doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2018.10.040. Epub 2018 Nov 4.
6. Yang Q, Xu J, Ma Q, Liu Z, Sudhahar V, Cao Y, Wang L, Zeng X, Zhou Y, Zhang M, Xu Y, Wang Y, Weintraub NL, Zhang C, Fukai T, Wu C, Huang L, Han Z, Wang T, Fulton DJ, Hong M, Huo Y. (2018) PRKAA1/AMPKα1-driven glycolysis in endothelial cells exposed to disturbed flow protects against atherosclerosis. Nat Commun. 2018 Nov 7;9(1):4667. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-07132-x.
7. Yan H, Yang W, Zhou F, Li X, Pan Q, Shen Z, Han G, Newell-Fugate A, Tian Y, Majeti R, Liu W, Xu Y, Wu C, Allred K, Allred C, Sun Y, Guo S. (2018) Estrogen Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Suppresses Gluconeogenesis via the Transcription Factor Foxo1. Diabetes. 2019 Feb;68(2):291-304. doi: 10.2337/db18-0638. Epub 2018 Nov 28.
8. Hu X, Zhang Q, Zeng T, Zhang JY, Min J, Tian SH, Huang HT, Peng M, Zhang N, Li MJ, Wan Q, Xiao F, Chen Y, Wu C, Chen LL. (2018) Not performing an OGTT results in underdiagnosis, inadequate risk assessment and probable cost increases of (pre)diabetes in Han Chinese over 40 years: a population based prospective cohort study. Endocr Connect. 2018 Dec 1. pii: EC-18-0372. doi: 10.1530/EC-18-0372. [Epub ahead of print]
9. Summerfield M, Zhou Y, Zhou T, Wu C, Alpini G, Zhang KK, Xie L. (2018) A long-term maternal diet transition from high-fat diet to normal fat diet during pre-pregnancy avoids adipose tissue inflammation in next generation. PLoS One. 2018 Dec 18;13(12):e0209053. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209053. eCollection 2018.
10. Zhang M, Zeng X, Yang Q, Xu J, Liu Z, Zhou Y, Cao Y, Zhang X, An X, Xu Y, Huang L, Han Z, Wang T, Wu C, Fulton DJ, Weintraub NL, Hong M, Huo Y. (2018)  Ablation of myeloid adenosine kinase epigenetically suppresses atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 2018 Dec;38(12):2780-2792. doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.118.311806.
11. Ravisankar S, Agah S, Kim H, Talcott S, Wu C, Awika J. (2019) Combined cereal and pulse flavonoids show enhanced bioavailability by downregulating phase II metabolism and ABC membrane transporter function in Caco-2 model. Food Chem. 2019 May 1;279:88-97. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.12.006. Epub 2018 Dec 6.
12. Wan Y, Ceci L, Wu N, Zhou T, Chen L, Venter J, Francis H, Bernuzzi F, Invernizzi P, Kyritsi K, Baker P, Huang Q, Wu C, Sybenga A, Alpini G, Meng F, Glaser S. (2019) Knockout of α-calcitonin gene-related peptide attenuates cholestatic liver injury by differentially regulating cellular senescence of hepatic stellate cells and cholangiocytes. Lab Invest. 2019 Jun;99(6):764-776. doi: 10.1038/s41374-018-0178-5. Epub 2019 Jan 30.
13. McDaniel K, Wu N, Zhou T, Huang L, Sato K, Venter J, Ceci L, Chen D, Ramos-Lorenzo S, Invernizzi P, Bernuzzi F, Wu C, Francis H, Glaser S, Alpini G, Meng F. (2019) Amelioration of Ductular Reaction by Stem Cell Derived Extracellular Vesicles in MDR2 knockout mice via let-7 microRNA. Hepatology. 2019 Jun;69(6):2562-2578. doi: 10.1002/hep.30542. Epub 2019 Apr 12.
14. Chen L, Zhou T, Wu N, O'Brien A, Venter J, Ceci L, Kyritsi K, Onori P, Gaudio E, Sybenga A, Xie L, Wu C, Fabris L, Invernizzi P, Zawieja D, Liangpunsakul S, Meng F, Francis H, Alpini G, Huang Q, Glaser S. (2019) Pinealectomy or light exposure exacerbates biliary damage and liver fibrosis in cholestatic rats through decreased melatonin synthesis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis. 2019 Jun 1;1865(6):1525-1539. doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2019.03.002. Epub 2019 Mar 16.
15. Zhou Y, Zeng X, Li G, Yang Q, Xu J, Zhang M, Mao X, Cao Y, Wang L, Xu Y, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Xu Z, Wu C, Chen JF, Hoda MN, Liu Z, Hong M, Huo Y. (2019) Inactivation of endothelial adenosine receptor 2A protects mice from cerebral ischemia-induced brain injury. Br J Pharmacol. 2019 Jul;176(13):2250-2263. doi: 10.1111/bph.14673. Epub 2019 May 21.
16. Yang W, Yan H, Pan Q, Shen Z, Zhou F, Wu C, Sun Y, Guo S. (2019) Glucagon regulates hepatic mitochondrial function and biogenesis through Foxo1. J Endocrinol. 2019 Jun 1;241(3):265-278. doi: 10.1530/JOE-19-0081.
17. Ahmed Abdalhamid Osman M, Sun YJ, Li RJ, Lin H, Zeng DM, Chen XY, He D, Feng HW, Yang Z, Wang J, Wu C, Cui M, Sun JP, Huo Y, Yu X. (2019)  Deletion of pancreatic β-cell adenosine kinase improves glucose homeostasis in young mice and ameliorates streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemia. J Cell Mol Med. 2019 Jul;23(7):4653-4665. doi: 10.1111/jcmm.14216. Epub 2019 May 1.
18. Xu J, Yang Q, Zhang X, Liu Z, Cao Y, Wang L, Zhou Y, Zeng X, Ma Q, Xu Y, Wang Y, Huang L, Han Z, Wang T, Stepp D, Bagi Z, Wu C, Hong M, Huo Y.  Endothelial adenosine kinase deficiency ameliorates diet-induced insulin resistance. J Endocrinol. 2019 Aug;242(2):159-172. doi: 10.1530/JOE-19-0126.
19. Cao Y, Zhang X, Wang L, Yang Q, Ma Q, Xu J, Wang J, Kovacs L, Ayon RJ, Liu Z, Zhang M, Zhou Y, Zeng X, Xu Y, Wang Y, Fulton DJ, Weintraub NL, Lucas R, Dong Z, Yuan JX, Sullivan JC, Meadows L, Barman SA, Wu C, Quan J, Hong M, Su Y, Huo Y. PFKFB3-mediated endothelial glycolysis promotes pulmonary hypertension. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019 Jul 2;116(27):13394-13403. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1821401116. Epub 2019 Jun 18.
20. Zhou J (PhD student),, Li H, Cai Y,, Ma L, Mathews D (MS student), Lu B, Zhu B, Chen Y, Qian X, Xiao X, Li Q, Guo S, Huo Y, Zhao L, Tian Y, Li Q, Wu C (corresponding author). (2019) Mice lacking adenosine 2A receptor reveal increased severity of MCD-induced NASH. J Endocrinol. 2019 Sep 1:JOE-19-0198.R1. doi: 10.1530/JOE-19-0198. Online ahead of print.
21. Zhou T, Kyritsi K, Wu N, Francis H, Yang Z, Chen L, O'Brien A, Kennedy L, Ceci L, Meadows V, Kusumanchi P, Wu C, Baiocchi L, Skill NJ, Saxena R, Sybenga A, Xie L, Liangpunsakul S, Meng F, Alpini G, Glaser S. (2019) Knockdown of vimentin reduces mesenchymal phenotype of cholangiocytes in the Mdr2-/- mouse model of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). EBioMedicine. 2019 Oct;48:130-142. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.09.013. Epub 2019 Sep 12.
22. Kyritsi K, Chen L, O'Brien A, Francis H, Hein TW, Venter J, Wu N, Ceci L, Zhou T, Zawieja D, Gashev AA, Meng F, Invernizzi P, Fabris L, Wu C, Skill NJ, Saxena R, Liangpunsakul S, Alpini G, Glaser S. (2020) Modulation of the TPH1/MAO-A/5HT/5HTR2A/2B/2C Axis Regulates Biliary Proliferation and Liver Fibrosis During Cholestasis. Hepatology. 2020 Mar;71(3):990-1008. doi: 10.1002/hep.30880. Epub 2019 Oct 18.
23. Shi G, Liu D, Zhou B, Liu Y, Hao B, Yu S, Wu L, Wang M, Song Z, Wu C, Zhu J, Qian X. (2019) Ginsenoside Rb1 alleviates ox-LDL-induced vascular endothelium senescence via the SIRT1/Beclin-1/autophagy axis. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2020 Feb;75(2):155-167. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0000000000000775.
24. Wang X, Rao H, Zhao J, Wee A, Li X, Fei R, Huang R, Wu C, Liu F, Wei L. (2019) STING expression in monocyte-derived macrophages is associated with the progression of liver inflammation and fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Lab Invest. 2020 Apr;100(4):542-552. doi: 10.1038/s41374-019-0342-6. Epub 2019 Nov 19.
25. Ma L, Li H, Hu J, Zheng J, Zhou J, Botchlett R, Matthews D (MS student), Zeng T, Chen L, Xiao X, Athrey G, Threadgill D, Li Q, Glaser S, Francis H, Meng F, Li Q, A, Alpini G, Wu C (corresponding author).  (2020) Indole alleviates diet-induced hepatic steatosis and inflammation in a manner involving myeloid cell PFKFB3. Hepatology, 2020 Oct;72(4):1191-1203. doi: 10.1002/hep.31115. Epub 2020 Jun 29.
26. Deng M, Qu F, Chen L, Liu C, Zhang M, Ren F, Guo H, Zhang H, Ge S, Wu C (co-corresponding author), Zhao L. (2020) SCFAs alleviated steatosis and inflammation in mice with NASH induced by MCD. J Endocrinol. 2020 Jun;245(3):425-437. doi: 10.1530/JOE-20-0018.
27. Kyritsi K, Francis H, Zhou T, Ceci L, Wu N, Yhang Z, Meng F, Chen L, Baiocchi L, Kundu D, Kennedy L, Liangpunsakul S, Wu C, Glaser S, Alpini G. (2020) Downregulation of p16 decreases biliary damage and liver fibrosis in the Mdr2-/- mouse model of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Gene Expr. 2020 May 11. doi: 10.3727/105221620X15889714507961. Online ahead of print.
28. Ceci L, Francis H, Zhou T, Giang T, Yang Z, Meng F, Wu N, Kennedy L, Kyritsi K, Meadows V, Wu C, Liangpunsakul S, Franchitto A, Sybenga A, Ekser B, Mancinelli R, Onori P, Gaudio E, Glaser S, Alpini G. (2020) Knockout of the Tachykinin Receptor 1 in the Mdr2-/- Mouse Model of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Reduces Biliary Damage and Liver Fibrosis. Am J Pathol. 2020 Jul 23:S0002-9440(20)30341-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2020.07.007. Online ahead of print.
29. Hu R, Li X, Peng C, Gao R, Ma L, Hu J, Luo T, Qing H, Wang Y, Ge Q, Wang Z, Wu C, Xiao X, Yang J, Young MJ, Li Q, Yang S. (2020) miR-196b-5p-enriched extracellular vesicles from tubular epithelial cells mediated aldosterone-induced renal fibrosis in mice with diabetes. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2020 Jul;8(1):e001101. doi: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2019-001101.
30. Guo X (PhD student), Zhu B, Xu H (PhD student), Li H, Jiang B, Wang Y, Zheng B, Glaser S, Alpini G, and Wu C (corresponding author).  (2020) Adoptive transfer of Pfkfb3-disrupted hematopoietic cells to wild-type mice exacerbates diet-induced hepatic steatosis and inflammation. Liver Res, 2020,4:136-144
31. Ke SY, Yu SJ, Liu DH, Shi GY, Wang M, Zhou B, Wu L, Song ZM, Zhu JM, Wu CD, Qian XX. (2021) Ginsenoside Rb1 Protects Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells against High Glucose-Induced Mitochondria-Related Apoptosis through Activating SIRT3 Signalling Pathway. Chin J Integr Med. 2021 May;27(5):336-344. doi: 10.1007/s11655-020-3478-8. Epub 2021 Jan 9. PMID: 33420900
32. Zhu B, Guo X (PhD student), Xu H (PhD student), Jiang B, Li H, Wang Y, Yin Q, Zhou T, Cai JJ, Glaser S, Meng F, Francis H, Alpini G, and Wu C (corresponding author).  (2021) Adipose Tissue Inflammation and Systemic Insulin Resistance in Mice with Diet-induced Obesity Is possibly Associated with Disruption of PFKFB3 in Hematopoietic Cells. Lab Invest, 2021 Mar;101(3):328-340. doi: 10.1038/s41374-020-00523-z. Epub 2021 Jan 18. PMID: 33462362 
33. Chen L, Zhou T, White T, O'Brien A, Chakraborty S, Liangpunsakul S, Yang Z, Kennedy L, Saxena R, Wu C, Meng F, Huang Q, Francis H, Alpini G, Glaser S. (2020) The apelin-apelin receptor axis triggers cholangiocyte proliferation and liver fibrosis during mouse models of cholestasis. Hepatology. 2021 Jun;73(6):2411-2428. doi: 10.1002/hep.31545. Epub 2021 May 22. PMID: 32964473 
34. Xu H (PhD student), Zhu B, Li H, Jiang B, Li H, Wang Y, Yin Q, Cai JJ, Glaser S, Francis H, Alpini G, and Wu C (corresponding author). (2021) Adipocyte inducible 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase suppresses adipose tissue inflammation and promotes macrophage anti-inflammatory activation. J Nutr Biochem, 2021 Sep;95:108764. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2021.108764. Epub 2021 May 6. PMID: 33964465
35. Cao X, Mao M, Diao J, Hou Y, Su H, Gan Y, Li J, Tong X, Wu C, Zuo Z, Xiao X. (2021) Ectopic Overexpression of PPARγ2 in the Heart Determines Differences in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy After Treatment With Different Thiazolidinediones in a Mouse Model of Diabetes. Front Pharmacol, 2021 Jul 7;12:683156. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.683156. eCollection 2021. PMID: 34305596
36. Chen L, Wu N, Kennedy L, Francis H, Ceci L, Zhou T, Samala N, Kyritsi K, Wu C, Sybenga A, Ekser B, Dar W, Atkins C, Meadows V, Glaser S, Alpini G. (2021) Inhibition of secretin/secretin receptor axis ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease phenotypes. Hepatology. 2021 Oct;74(4):1845-1863. doi: 10.1002/hep.31871. Epub 2021 Jul 29. PMID: 33928675
37. Matthews DR (MS student), Li H, Zhou J H (PhD student), Li Q, Glaser S, Francis H, Alpini G, Wu C (corresponding author). (2021) Methionine- and Choline-deficient Diet-induced Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis Is Associated with Increased Intestinal Inflammation. Am J Pathol. 2021 Oct;191(10):1743-1753. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.06.010. Epub 2021 Jul 7. PMID: 34242656
38. Lin S, Li Y, Wang D, Huang C, Marino D, Bollt O, Wu C, Taylor MD, Li W, DeNicola GM, Hao J, Singh PK, Yang S. (2021) Fascin promotes lung cancer growth and metastasis by enhancing glycolysis and PFKFB3 expression. Cancer Lett, 2021 Oct 10;518:230-242. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.07.025. Epub 2021 Jul 22. PMID: 34303764
39. Lin X, Zhang Y, He X, Chen Y, Chen N, Liu J, Wang M, Li Y, Yang H, Fan L, Hou Y, Li J, Wu C, Qi H, Zhang H, Xiao X. (2021) The choline metabolite TMAO inhibits NETosis and promotes placental development in GDM of humans and mice. Diabetes. 2021 Oct;70(10):2250-2263. doi: 10.2337/db21-0188. Epub 2021 Jul 27. PMID: 34315726
40. O'Brien A, Zhou T, White T, Medford A, Chen L, Kyritsi K, Wu N, Childs J, Stiles D, Ceci L, Chakraborty S, Ekser B, Baiocchi L, Carpino G, Gaudio E, Wu C, Kennedy L, Francis H, Alpini G, Glaser S. (2022) FGF1 Signaling Modulates Biliary Injury and Liver Fibrosis in the Mdr2-/- Mouse Model of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. Hepatol Commun 2022 Jul;6(7):1574-1588. doi: 10.1002/hep4.1909. Epub 2022 Mar 10. PMID: 35271760
41. Zhu B, Li H, Lu B, Guo X, Wu C, Wang F, Li Q, Xie L, Glaser S, Francis H, Alpini G, Wu C (corresponding author). (2022) Indole supplementation ameliorates MCD-induced NASH in mice. J Nutr Biochem 2022 Sep;107:109041. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2022.109041. Epub 2022 May 11. PMID: 35568098
42. He L, Wang X, Ding Z, Liu L, Cheng H, Bily D, Wu C, Zhang K, Xie L. (2022) Deleting Gata4 in hepatocytes promoted the progression of NAFLD via increasing steatosis and apoptosis, and desensitizing insulin signaling. J Nutr Biochem 2022 Sep 20:109157. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2022.109157. Online ahead of print. PMID: 36150682
43. Li H, Zheng J, Xu Q, Yang Y, Zhou J, Guo X, Cai Y, Cai JJ, Xie L, Awika J, Han X, Li Q, Kennedy L, Francis H, Glaser S, Huo Y, Alpini G, Wu C (corresponding author). (2022) Hepatocyte Adenosine Kinase Promotes Excessive Fat Deposition and Liver Inflammation. Gastroenterology 2022 Sep 28:S0016-5085(22)01085-X. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.09.027. Online ahead of print. PMID: 36181835
44. Liu L, Zhou Y, Liu Z, Li J, Hu L, He L, Gao G, Kidd B, Walsh A, Jiang R, Wu C, Zhang K, Xie L. (2023) Osr1 regulates macrophage-mediated liver inflammation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease progression. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 Dec 26:S2352-345X(22)00261-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.12.010. Online ahead of print. PMID: 36581078
45. Wan Y, Zhou T, Slevin E, Koyama S, Li X, Harrison K, Li T, Zhou B, Lorenzo SR, Zhang Y, Xu W, Klaunig JE, Wu C, Shetty AK, Huang CK, Meng F.  (2023) Liver-specific deletion of microRNA-34a alleviates ductular reaction and liver fibrosis during experimental cholestasis. FASEB J. 2023 Feb;37(2):e22731. doi: 10.1096/fj.202201453R. PMID: 36583714
46. Muthyala S, Chapkin RS, Wu C, Wu CS. (2023) Ghrelin Alleviates Experimental Ulcerative Colitis in Old Mice and Modulates Colonocyte Metabolism via PPARγ Pathway. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Dec 29;24(1):565. doi: 10.3390/ijms24010565. PMID: 36614012
47. Kyritsi K, Wu N, Zhou T, Carpino G, Baiocchi L, Kennedy L, Chen L, Ceci L, Meyer AA, Barupala N, Franchitto A, Onori P, Ekser B, Gaudio E, Wu C, Marakovits C, Chakraborty S, Francis H, Glaser S, Alpini G. (2023) Knockout of secretin ameliorates biliary and liver phenotypes during alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity. Cell Biosci. 2023 Jan 9;13(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s13578-022-00945-w. PMID: 36624475
48. Wu N, Zhou T, Carpino G, Baiocchi L, Kyritsi K, Kennedy L, Ceci L, Chen L, Wu C, Kundu D, Barupala N, Franchitto A, Onori P, Ekser B, Gaudio E, Francis H, Glaser S, Alpini G. (2023) Prolonged administration of a secretin receptor antagonist inhibits biliary senescence and liver fibrosis in Mdr2-/- mice. Hepatology. 2023 Feb 20. doi: 10.1097/HEP.0000000000000310. Online ahead of print. PMID: 36799446
49. Kundu D, Kennedy L, Zhou T, Ekser B, Meadows V, Sybenga A, Kyritsi K, Chen L, Ceci L, Wu N, Wu C, Glaser S, Carpino G, Onori P, Gaudio E, Alpini G, Francis H. (2023) p16 INK4A drives non-alcoholic fatty liver disease phenotypes in high fat diet fed mice via biliary e2f1/foxo1/igf-1 signaling. Hepatology. 2023 Feb 20. doi: 10.1097/HEP.0000000000000307. Online ahead of print. PMID: 36799449
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