Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group
Overview:
The research group of neurodegenerative diseases is dedicated to the establishment and evaluation of animal models of such neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD) and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), as well as the research on the pathogenesis of diseases and potential treatments. In this research group, rodents and non-human primates and other model animals are mainly used as research objects to carry out studies on behavior, histopathology, pharmacology, neuroimaging, molecular biology, optogenetics and electrophysiology. The current research group has 12 staff members, including 2 researchers, 1 associate researcher, 6 assistant researchers and 3 technical personnel. In the past five years, it has undertaken 3 national projects, 1 international cooperation project, 1 basic operating cost of central public welfare university, and 5 innovation projects of Medical Academy.
Main Research directions:
1. Establishment and evaluation of animal models of neurodegenerative diseases
2. Study on the correlation between intestinal microorganisms and cognitive function
3. Study on prion sample properties of misfolding proteins in neurodegenerative diseases
4. The role of apparent regulatory mechanisms, especially miRNAs, lncRNAs and HDACs, in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases
5. Therapeutic effect and target screening of TCM monomer/compound on neurodegenerative diseases
6. Research on the therapeutic effect of stem cells in neurodegenerative diseases
Staff Composition:
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Group leader(PI)： |
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Qin Chuan, Professor, PI |
Dr Erwan Bezard Researcher |
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Group Members: |
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Dr Zhang Ling Assistant Researcher |
Dr Yu Pin Assistant Researcher |
Dr Yu Xuan Assistant Researcher |
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Dr Zhang Yu Assistant Researcher |
Li Yanhong Technologist-in-charge |
Dou Changsong Technician |
Contact Information: 010-67761551
Scientific Research Achievements:
This research group established the first APP transgenic Alzheimer's disease animal model and α-synuclein transgenic Parkinson's disease animal model in China, and applied these models to the study of the pathogenesis of AD and PD and the exploration of treatment measures. The establishment and application of AD/PD transgenic mice won the Chinese Medical Prize twice in 2005 and 2015 respectively. This group has published more than 50 papers in domestic and foreign journals. In collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, motor deficits and balance disorders in PD models of non-human primates were effectively alleviated through BRAIN-computer interface. They studied epigenetic regulation, especially the mechanism of miRNAs, lncRNAs and HDAC2/6 involved in learning and memory impairment in the course of AD. They explored the potential therapeutic effect of TCM monomer/compound such as Cy3G and PN-1 on AD and analyzed the relationship between intestinal microbiome and the pathogenesis of AD. It was found that Drebrin was involved in the pathogenesis of AD by reducing glucose utilization in the hippocampus and the expression of synaptic related proteins.
Representative papers in recent years:
1. Chen W, Zhang L, Shi C, Ren G, Kong Q, Qin C. Comprehensive analysis of hippocampal miRNAomes in humans and mice. Epigenomics.2018;10(6):813-828.
2. Zhang L, Wang Y, Xiayu X, Shi C, Chen W, Song N, Fu X, Zhou R, Xu YF, Huang L, Zhu H, Han Y, Qin C. Altered Gut Microbiota in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis. 2017;60(4):1241-1257.
3. Liu Y, Xu YF, Zhang L, Huang L, Yu P, Zhu H, Deng W, Qin C. Effective expression of Drebrin in hippocampus improves cognitive function and alleviates lesions of Alzheimer's disease in APP (swe)/PS1 (ΔE9) mice. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2017;23(7):590-604.
4. Liu Y, Xu Y, Zhang L, Huang L, Yu P, Zhu H, Deng W, Qin C. Down-Regulated Drebrin Aggravates Cognitive Impairments in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(4): pii: E800.
5. Shi C, Zhang L, Qin C. Long non-coding RNAs in brain development, synaptic biology, and Alzheimer's disease. Brain Res Bull. 2017;132:160-169.
6. Capogrosso M, Milekovic T, Borton D, Wagner F, Moraud EM, Mignardot JB, Buse N, Gandar J, Barraud Q, Xing D, Rey E, Duis S, Jianzhong Y, Ko WK, Li Q, Detemple P, Denison T, Micera S, Bezard E, Bloch J, Courtine G. A brain-spine interface alleviating gait deficits after spinal cord injury in primates. Nature. 2016 Nov 10;539(7628):284-288.
7. Song N, Zhang L, Chen W, Zhu H, Deng W, Han Y, Guo J, Qin C. Cyanidin 3-O-β-glucopyranoside activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and alleviates cognitive impairment in the APPswe/PS1ΔE9 mouse model. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2016;pii: S0925-4439(16)30133-8.
8. Chen W, Xia X, Song N, Wang Y, Zhu H, Deng W, Kong Q, Pan X, Qin C. Cross-Species Analysis of Gene Expression and Function in Prefrontal Cortex, Hippocampus and Striatum. PLoS One. 2016;11(10):e0164295.
9. Chen W, Qin C. General hallmarks of microRNAs in brain evolution and development. RNA biology, 2015, 12(7): 701-708.
10. Zhang L, Liu C, Wu J, Tao JJ, Sui XL, Yao ZG, Xu YF, Huang L, Zhu H, Sheng SL, Qin C. Tubastatin A/ACY-1215 improves cognition in Alzheimer’s transgenic mice. J Alzheimers Dis, 2014, 41(4):1193-1205.
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