Zequan I. Yang

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  • Phone: 434-243-9346

Primary Appointment

Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests

Role of Inflammatory Mediators During the Genesis of Ischemia/ Reperfusion Injury

Research Description

We seek to elucidate the role of inflammatory mediators during the genesis of ischemia/ reperfusion injury. An interdisciplinary approach is used to integrate advanced surgical techniques with cardiovascular physiology and pharmacology. Recently knockout mice were used to evaluate the effects of endogenous IL-10 and poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase on myocardial infarction. Transgenic and knockout mice can help define the various inflammatory pathways that contribute to the myocardial injury induced by ischemia and reperfusion. We are currently extending our research focus from myocardial infarction to encompass the post-infarction state of heart failure. Reliable models of heart failure have been established in mice and rats. These animal models are currently being validated using cardiac MRI. The longterm goal of this research is to test innovative new therapies for the prevention of heart failure. We are also working in collaboration with other faculty to optimize methods for delivering genes directly to the intact myocardium of rats and mice. The ultimate aim of these efforts is to maintain cardiac function after myocardial infarction by using gene therapy to inhibit the inflammatory responses that exacerbate heart failure.

Personal Statement

We seek to elucidate the role of inflammatory mediators during the genesis of ischemia/ reperfusion injury. An interdisciplinary approach is used to integrate advanced surgical techniques with cardiovascular physiology and pharmacology. Recently knockout mice were used to evaluate the effects of endogenous IL-10 and poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase on myocardial infarction. Transgenic and knockout mice can help define the various inflammatory pathways that contribute to the myocardial injury induced by ischemia and reperfusion. We are currently extending our research focus from myocardial infarction to encompass the post-infarction state of heart failure. Reliable models of heart failure have been established in mice and rats. These animal models are currently being validated using cardiac MRI. The longterm goal of this research is to test innovative new therapies for the prevention of heart failure. We are also working in collaboration with other faculty to optimize methods for delivering genes directly to the intact myocardium of rats and mice. The ultimate aim of these efforts is to maintain cardiac function after myocardial infarction by using gene therapy to inhibit the inflammatory responses that exacerbate heart failure.

Selected Publications

2024

Rastogi, R., Marsh, K., Zhang, A. Y., Wu, D., Chordia, M. D., Pan, D., . . . Yang, Z. (2024). Targeted Antioxidant Therapy Reduces Hyperglycemic Exacerbation of Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion.. The Journal of surgical research, 301, 554-562. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2024.06.023

2023

Gudur, A. R., Geng, C., Radlinski, M., Yang, Z., Shami, V. M., Wang, A. Y., & Podboy, A. (2023). Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty: A Safe Bariatric Intervention for Class III Obesity (BMI > 40). OBESITY SURGERY. doi:10.1007/s11695-023-06475-9

2022

Zhang, A., Rastogi, R., Marsh, K. M., Yang, B., Wu, D., Kron, I. L., & Yang, Z. (2022). Topical Neck Cooling Without Systemic Hypothermia Attenuates Myocardial Ischemic Injury and Post-ischemic Reperfusion Injury. FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE, 9. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2022.893837

2021

Zhang, A. Y., Marsh, K. M., Rastogi, R., Wu, D., Charles, E. J., Kron, I. L., . . . Yang, Z. (2021). Topical Neck Cooling Prolongs Survival of Rats with Intra-Abdominal Feculent Sepsis by Activation of the Vagus Nerve. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, 22(18). doi:10.3390/ijms22189828

Lai, L., Zhang, A., Yang, B., Charles, E. J., Kron, I. L., & Yang, Z. (2021). Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Mediate Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Secreting Type I Interferons. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, 10(15). doi:10.1161/JAHA.121.020754

2020

Zhang, A., Charles, E. J., Xing, J., Sawyer, R. G., & Yang, Z. (2021). Pulsed Ultrasound of the Spleen Prolongs Survival of Rats With Severe Intra-abdominal Sepsis. JOURNAL OF SURGICAL RESEARCH, 259, 97-105. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2020.11.005

Yang, Z., Tian, Y., Berr, S. S., & French, B. A. (2020). Therapeutic Efficacy of Alpha-Lipoic Acid against Acute Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Left Ventricular Remodeling in Mice. CARDIOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE, 2020. doi:10.1155/2020/6759808

2019

Charles, E. J., Tian, Y., Zhang, A., Wu, D., Mehaffey, J. H., Gigliotti, J. C., . . . Yang, Z. (2021). Pulsed ultrasound attenuates the hyperglycemic exacerbation of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. JOURNAL OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY, 161(4), E297-E306. doi:10.1016/j.jtcvs.2019.10.096

Kane, W. J., Charles, E. J., Mehaffey, J. H., Hawkins, R. B., Meneses, K. B., Tache-Leon, C. A., & Yang, Z. (2020). Robotic compared with laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A propensity matched analysis. SURGERY, 167(2), 432-435. doi:10.1016/j.surg.2019.07.020

2018

Tian, Y., Charles, E. J., Yan, Z., Wu, D., French, B. A., Kron, I. L., & Yang, Z. (2019). The myocardial infarct-exacerbating effect of cell-free DNA is mediated by the high-mobility group box 1-receptor for advanced glycation end products-Toll-like receptor 9 pathway. JOURNAL OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY, 157(6), 2256-+. doi:10.1016/j.jtcvs.2018.09.043

Tian, Y., Miao, B., Charles, E. J., Wu, D., Kron, I. L., French, B. A., & Yang, Z. (2018). Stimulation of the Beta2 Adrenergic Receptor at Reperfusion Limits Myocardial Reperfusion Injury via an Interleukin-10-Dependent Anti-Inflammatory Pathway in the Spleen. CIRCULATION JOURNAL, 82(11), 2829-2836. doi:10.1253/circj.CJ-18-0061

Ni, Y., Liang, D., Tian, Y., Kron, I. L., French, B. A., & Yang, Z. (2018). Infarct-Sparing Effect of Adenosine A2B Receptor Agonist Is Primarily Due to Its Action on Splenic Leukocytes Via a PI3K/Akt/IL-10 Pathway. JOURNAL OF SURGICAL RESEARCH, 232, 442-449. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2018.06.042

Mehaffey, J. H., Money, D., Charles, E. J., Schubert, S., Pineros, A. F., Bontha, S. V., . . . Roeser, M. E. (2019). Adenosine 2A Receptor Activation Attenuates Ischemia Reperfusion Injury During Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. ANNALS OF SURGERY, 269(6), 1176-1183. doi:10.1097/SLA.0000000000002685

2017

Charles, E. J., Mehaffey, J. H., Tache-Leon, C. A., Hallowell, P. T., Sawyer, R. G., & Yang, Z. (2018). Inguinal hernia repair: is there a benefit to using the robot?. SURGICAL ENDOSCOPY AND OTHER INTERVENTIONAL TECHNIQUES, 32(4), 2131-2136. doi:10.1007/s00464-017-5911-4

Willis, R. N. J., Charles, E. J., Guidry, C. A., Chordia, M. D., Davies, S. W., Yang, Z., & Sawyer, R. G. (2017). Effect of hypothermia on splenic leukocyte modulation and survival duration in severely septic rats. JOURNAL OF SURGICAL RESEARCH, 215, 196-203. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2017.03.060

2016

Tian, Y., Pan, D., Chordia, M. D., French, B. A., Kron, I. L., & Yang, Z. (2016). The spleen contributes importantly to myocardial infarct exacerbation during post-ischemic reperfusion in mice via signaling between cardiac HMGB1 and splenic RAGE. BASIC RESEARCH IN CARDIOLOGY, 111(6). doi:10.1007/s00395-016-0583-0

2015

Tian, Y., Marshall, M., French, B. A., Linden, J., & Yang, Z. (2015). The infarct-sparing effect of IB-MECA against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice is mediated by sequential activation of adenosine A3 and A2A receptors. BASIC RESEARCH IN CARDIOLOGY, 110(2). doi:10.1007/s00395-015-0473-x

Tian, Y., Piras, B. A., Kron, I. L., French, B. A., & Yang, Z. (2015). Adenosine 2B Receptor Activation Reduces Myocardial Reperfusion Injury by Promoting Anti-Inflammatory Macrophages Differentiation via PI3K/Akt Pathway. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY, 2015. doi:10.1155/2015/585297

Tian, Y., French, B. A., Kron, I. L., & Yang, Z. (2015). Splenic leukocytes mediate the hyperglycemic exacerbation of myocardial infarct size in mice. BASIC RESEARCH IN CARDIOLOGY, 110(4). doi:10.1007/s00395-015-0496-3

2014

Hu, Y., Jolissaint, J. S., Ramirez, A., Gordon, R., Yang, Z., & Sawyer, R. G. (2014). Cumulative sum: a proficiency metric for basic endoscopic training. JOURNAL OF SURGICAL RESEARCH, 192(1), 62-67. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2014.05.056

Tian, Y., Linden, J., French, B. A., & Yang, Z. (2014). Atorvastatin at Reperfusion Reduces Myocardial Infarct Size in Mice by Activating eNOS in Bone Marrow-Derived Cells. PLOS ONE, 9(12). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0114375

2013

Liu, Y., & Chen, X. J. (2013). Adenine Nucleotide Translocase, Mitochondrial Stress, and Degenerative Cell Death. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY, 2013. doi:10.1155/2013/146860

2012

Rosenberger, L. H., Hu, Y., Yang, Z., & Sawyer, R. G. (2012). Gastropexy Using the Carter-Thomason Device in Lieu of T-Fasteners in a Critically Ill, Severely Obese Patient: An Innovative Technique. SURGICAL LAPAROSCOPY ENDOSCOPY & PERCUTANEOUS TECHNIQUES, 22(5), E316-E318. doi:10.1097/SLE.0b013e318264cf88

Xiao, L., Zhang, Y., Yang, Z., Xu, Y., Kundu, B., Chordia, M. D., & Pan, D. (2012). Synthesis of PECAM-1-specific 64Cu PET imaging agent: Evaluation of myocardial infarction caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury in mouse. BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS, 22(12), 4144-4147. doi:10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.04.059

Mirza, M. A., Lane, S., Yang, Z., Karaoli, T., Akosah, K., Hossack, J., . . . Tucker, A. L. (2012). Phospholemman Deficiency in Postinfarct Hearts: Enhanced Contractility but Increased Mortality. CTS-CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE, 5(3), 235-242. doi:10.1111/j.1752-8062.2012.00403.x

2010

Prasad, K. -M. R., Xu, Y., Yang, Z., Acton, S. T., & French, B. A. (2011). Robust cardiomyocyte-specific gene expression following systemic injection of AAV: in vivo gene delivery follows a Poisson distribution. GENE THERAPY, 18(1), 43-52. doi:10.1038/gt.2010.105