Research Bio
The major focus of my research is to study the regulation of bone cell function in inflammatory bone loss using combinations of genetically modified animals, in vivo imaging technologies, histology and in vitro cellular and molecular approaches. I have two established research programs which are funded by NIH to investigate the molecular mechanisms mediating increased osteoclastic bone resorption and reduced osteoblastic bone formation in animal models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients with RA suffer from joint inflammation and bone erosion as well as systemic osteoporosis. In one program, we are investigating the mechanism by which pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF affects joint tissue injury in RA through the regulation of function of osteoclasts and precursors.
In another program, we are investigating the role of ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation in osteoblast function in RA. Currently, we are testing the hypothesis that an inflammatory bone marrow environment increases proteasome-mediated protein degradation in mesenchymal stem cells and inhibits their differentiation to osteoblast precursors, accounting for inflammation-mediated bone loss. The ultimate goal of our research is to provide pre-clinical information that is useful for developing agents that improve bone health in patients with chronic inflammatory disorders.
2013 Jan
Li J, Ju Y, Bouta EM, Xing L, Wood RW, Kuzin I, Bottaro A, Ritchlin CT, Schwarz EM. "Efficacy of B cell depletion therapy for murine joint arthritis flare is associated with increased lymphatic flow." Arthritis and rheumatism. 2013 Jan 0; 65(1):130-8. |
2012 Nov
Takahata M, Maher JR, Juneja SC, Inzana J, Xing L, Schwarz EM, Berger AJ, Awad HA. "Mechanisms of bone fragility in a mouse model of glucocorticoid-treated rheumatoid arthritis: implications for insufficiency fracture risk." Arthritis and rheumatism. 2012 Nov 0; 64(11):3649-59. |
2012 Jun
Ju Y, Rahimi H, Li J, Wood RW, Xing L, Schwarz EM. "Validation of 3-dimensional ultrasound versus magnetic resonance imaging quantification of popliteal lymph node volume as a biomarker of erosive inflammatory arthritis in mice." Arthritis and rheumatism. 2012 Jun 0; 64(6):2048-50. Epub 2012 Feb 21. |
2012 Apr
Subik K, Shu L, Wu C, Liang Q, Hicks D, Boyce B, Schiffhauer L, Chen D, Chen C, Tang P, Xing L. "The ubiquitin E3 ligase WWP1 decreases CXCL12-mediated MDA231 breast cancer cell migration and bone metastasis." Bone. 2012 Apr 0; 50(4):813-23. Epub 2012 Jan 11. |
2012 Apr
Zhao C, Xiu Y, Ashton J, Xing L, Morita Y, Jordan CT, Boyce BF. "Noncanonical NF-?B signaling regulates hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal and microenvironment interactions." Stem cells (Dayton, Ohio). 2012 Apr 0; 30(4):709-18. |
