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Zhongjie Sun, MD, PhD, FAHA

Professor and Chair
Thomas A. Gerwin Chair of Excellence in Physiology
Co-Director, UT Methodist Cardiovascular Institute

University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Department of Physiology, Coleman Building
956 Court Avenue, Suite 302A
Memphis, TN 38163, USA

zsun10@uthsc.edu
901.448.2679

The Sun Laboratory

Education

MD, Jining Medical College, Jining, P. R. China (1983)
MS, Tongji Medical University, P. R. China (1990)
PhD, Shanghai Medical University, P. R. China (1999)
Postdoctoral, University of Florida, USA (1994-1998)

Catch Phrase

Molecular and Translational Physiology

Special Interests

Molecular and epigenetic mechanisms of cardiovascular disease
Molecular and stem cell therapy

Research Interest

The Sun Laboratory

Dr. Sun's research team investigates molecular and epigenetic regulation of blood pressure. Application of molecular, cellular and transgenic approaches to the understanding of complex physiological function represents the central theme of most of his current research. His recent effort focuses on the stem cell-derived exosomes, DNA methylation and histone modification in the pathogenesis of arterial stiffness and heart diseases.

Mentoring/Teaching

Dr. Sun’s teaching expertise includes molecular physiology and cardiovascular genomics. He mentors graduate students and trains postdoctoral fellows in a broad area of cardiovascular, renal and endocrine sciences. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are trained for molecular and translational physiology that includes whole animal, cellular, and molecular research. Thus, trainees are prepared to be leaders in physiology research in the 21st century and to teach system and molecular physiology.

Representative Publications

  1. Kai Chen and Zhongjie Sun. Activation of DNA demethylases attenuates aging-associated arterial stiffening and hypertension. Aging Cell. 2018 Apr 16:e12762. doi.10.1111/acel.12762. PMID: 29659128.
  2. Jianglei Chen, Jun Fan and Zhongjie Sun. Secreted klotho attenuates aortic valve fibrosis in senescence accelerated mice P1 (SAMP1). Hypertension. 71:877-885, 2018. PMCID: PMC5897144. PMID: 29581213.
  3. Xiaoli Zhou, Kai Chen, Yongjun Wang, Mariano Schuman, Han Lei, and Zhongjie Sun. Anti-aging gene klotho regulates adrenal CYP11B2 expression and aldosterone synthesis. J Am Soc Nephrol. 27:1765-1776, 2016. PMID: 26471128.
  4. Jun Fan and Zhongjie Sun. The anti-aging gene klotho regulates proliferation and differentiation of adipose-derived stem cell.  Stem Cells. 34:1615-1625, 2016. PMID: 26865060.
  5. Yi Lin and Zhongjie Sun. Anti-aging gene klotho attenuates pancreatic β cell apoptosis in type I diabetes. Diabetes. 64(12):4298-4311, 2015. PMID: 26340932.
  6. Rohan Varshney, Quaisar Ali, Chengxiang Wu and Zhongjie Sun. Monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension involves downregulation of anti-aging protein klotho and eNOS activity. Hypertension. 68:1255-1263, 2016. PMID: 27620389.
  7. Yi Lin and Zhongjie Sun. In vivo pancreatic β cell-specific expression of anti-aging gene klotho: a novel approach for preserving b cells in type II diabetes. Diabetes. 64:1444-1458, 2015.  PMID: 25377875.
  8. Zhongjie Sun. Platelet TLR4, a critical link in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Circ Res. 114:1551-1553, 2014.  PMID: 246852123.
  9. Yuechi Xu and Zhongjie Sun. Molecular basis of klotho, from gene to function.  Endocrine Rev. 36:174-193, 2015. PMID: 25695404.
  10. Patrick Crosswhite, Kai Chen and Zhongjie Sun. AAV delivery of TNFα shRNA attenuates cold-induced pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary arterial remodeling. Hypertension. 64;1141-1150, 2014. PMID: 25185133.

Funding Agencies: NIH NHLBI, NIA, NIDDK, American Heart Association (AHA)

PubMed Link

May 26, 2022