Yujiang Fang, M.D., Ph.D.
Academic Pathologist and Assistant Professor, Microbiology and Immunology
Yujiang Fang, M.D., Ph.D.
Academic Pathologist and Assistant Professor, Microbiology and Immunology
Additional Roles
Academic Pathologist and Assistant Professor, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program
Academic Pathologist and Assistant Professor, Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Program
Contact
515-271-1435 (Office Phone)
515-271-4260 (Office Phone)
Areas of Expertise
Yujiang Fang joined the DMU department of microbiology and immunology in December 2013. He received his M.D. and Ph.D. in China and has worked as an attending urologist for years. Following postdoctoral training in pathology in Paris and postdoctoral training in immunology in Columbia, Missouri, he was a research assistant professor at the University of Missouri and adjunct assistant professor at several other universities. A member of the editorial boards of several established journals, Dr. Fang has extensive involvement in clinical, teaching and research experiences. He is interested in cancer immunotherapy, the effect of radiosensitizers on cancer and the mechanisms of resolution and fibrosis of inflammation.
| Education: |
|---|
| Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003-2007 |
| Postdoctoral Fellow, College de France, Paris, France, 2002-2003 |
| Ph.D., Molecular Biology, Pekin Union Medical College, China, 2000 |
| Clinical Fellow, Urology, Pekin Union Medical College Hospital, China, 1999-2000 |
| Residency, Urology, Pekin Union Medical College Hospital 1996-1998 |
| Residency, Surgery, 3rd Hospital of Beijing Medical University, China, 1993-1995 |
| M.D., Clinical Medicine, Beijing Medical University, China, 1993 |
My lab is interested in the following research areas:
- Cancer Immunotherapy: Cytokine-based cancer immunotherapy has been a new hot spot for cancer treatment for years. Recently several new projects have been developed in my lab about the direct effects of cytokines (such as IL-9, IL-17, IL-27, IL-32, IL-33, IL-34, IL-35, IL-36 and IL-38) on tumor proliferation, apoptosis, senescence and metastasis in many cancer cell lines (prostate cancer, bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, melanoma). I am also interested in exploring the underlying molecular mechanisms for their effects on tumor cells. These in vitro results will be further extended to in vivo studies. The final goal for this project is to use this information to design rational therapeutic strategies for cancer immunotherapy.
- Cancer Radiation Sensitizer: The efficacy of radiation therapy for cancers largely depends on the radiosensitivity of the tumor. Unfortunately, some cancers are among the more radioresistant malignant tumors. The higher radiation dosage may have severe side-effects, however, lower dosage may have little effect on cancers. A safe and effective radiosensitising agent is needed to allow a decrease in the radiation dosage and side-effects associated with radiation.Resveratrol (trans-3, 4’, 5-trihydroxystilbene, RSV) is a ployphenolic compound which occurs naturally in grapes (red wine), peanuts, as well as in other plant species. Many studies showed that it had antitumor effects. In recent years, RSV has become one of the most promising agents against cancer. Recently, we found that RSV could be a powerful radiation sensitizer for prostate cancer and melanoma. My lab will continue to study if RSV as well as other natural chemicals (such as green tea extracts and pomegranate extracts) will be used as radiation sensitizer for other cancers.
- Mechanisms of Resolution or fibrosis of Inflammation My lab is also interested in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the development, resolution or fibrosis of inflammation by using a well-established mouse model experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT). EAT is induced by mouse thyroglobulin sensitized splenocytes activated in vitro with thyroglobulin and IL-12. Thyroid lesions reach maximal severity 20 days after cell transfer with thyrocyte proliferation. Inflammation resolves or progresses to fibrosis by day 60 depending on the extent of thyroid damage on day 20. Our previous studies have shown that depletion of CD8+ T cells inhibits EAT resolution. We have also found that modulation of pro- and anti-apoptotic molecules expressed in thyrocytes or lymphocytes could promote or inhibit EAT resolution. The current research in my lab is to explore the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to these two distinct outcomes (resolution or fibrosis). This project might provide important information to design novel drugs to inhibit fibrosis and promote resolution of inflammation.
All students/postdoc/visiting scholars are welcome to my lab to do research under my direct supervision.
Publications in Last 5 Years:
Fang Y, Yu S, Braley-Mullen H. TGF-β promotes proliferation of thyroid epithelial cells by downregulation of P21 and P27 via AKT pathway in IFN-γ-/- mice The American Journal of Pathology 2012, 180:650-660.
Fang Y, Shi B, Wang Y. An adrenal mass and ulcerating skin rash. Diagnostic Dilemmas: Images in endocrinology 2011,10-12(book, Editor: Leonard Wartofsky)
Fang Y, Herrick EJ, Nicholl MB. A possible role for perforin and granzyme B in resveratrol enhanced radiosensitivity of prostate cancer. Journal of Andrology 2012;33:752-760
Cui X, Zhao L, Chen S, Guan T, Herrick EJ, Shi B, Zang M, Chen S, Fang Y. A potential role for CPY17 as a parameter in differentiation between aldosterone-producing adenoma and nodular hyperplasia in patients with hyperaldosteronism. Urology 2012, 79;1410.e15-9
Fang Y, DeMarco VG, Nicholl MB. Resveratrol enhances radiation sensitivity in prostate cancer by inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting cell senescence and apoptosis. Cancer Science 2012, 103:1090-8. (co-corresponding author)
Shi BB, Chen C, Li HZ, Rong S, Huang ZM, Fan H, Wen J, Ji ZG, Fang Y. Correlation between Surgical Modality and Clinicopathologic Characteristics for Ureteral Transitional Cell Carcinoma Clinical and Translational Oncology 2012, 14:321-316
Fang Y. Editorial Comment from Dr Fang to Polymorphic variation of CYP11B2 predicts postoperative resolution of hypertension in patients undergoing adrenalectomy for aldosterone-producing adenomas.Int J Urol. 2012;19:821-822
Fang Y, Moore BJ, Cook KM, Herrick EJ, Nicholl MB. A potential role for resveratrol as a radiation sensitizer for melanoma treatment. Journal of Surgical Research, 2013 183:645-53
Kayes T, Fang Y, Yu S, Downey E, Wang S, Braley-Mullen H. Agonistic anti-CD40 induces thyrocyte proliferation and promotes thyroid autoimmunity by increasing CD40 expression on thyroid epithelial cells Journal of Immunology, 2013, 190:3928-38.
Fang Y, Moore BJ, Q Bai, Cook KM, Herrick EJ, Nicholl MB. Hydrogen peroxide enhances radiation induced apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation in melanoma cells Anticancer Research 2013, 33:1799-807.
Fang Y, Nicholl MB. A dual role for Sirtuin 1 in tumorigenesis. Current Pharmaceutical Design Curr Pharm Des. 2014;20:2634-6.
Nicholl MB, Ledgewood CL, Chen X, Bai Q, Qin C, Cook KM, Herrick EJ, Diaz-Arias A, Moore BJ. Fang Y. IL-35 promotes pancreas cancer growth through enhancement of proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis: evidence for a role as an autocrine growth factor. Cytokine. 2014;70:126-33
Qin C, Chen X, Bai Q, Davis MR, Fang Y. Factors associated with radiosensitivity of cervical cancer. Anticancer Res. 2014;34:4649-56.
Davis MR, Zhu Z, Hansen DM, Bai Q, Fang Y. The role of IL-21 in immunity and cancer.Cancer Lett. 2015;358:107-14
Wang QH, Ji ZG, Chen ZG, Li HZ, Fan H, Fan XR, Shi BB, Fang Y. Serum CA 19-9 as a good prognostic biomarker in patients with bladder cancer. Int J Surg. 2015;15C:113-6.
Fang Y, Chen X, Bai Q, Qin C, Mohamud AO, Zhu Z, Ball TW, Ruth CM, Newcomer DR, Herrick EJ, Nicholl MB. IL-9 inhibits HTB-72 melanoma cell growth through upregulation of p21 and TRAIL J Surg Oncol. 2015;111:969-74
Mannino MH, Zhu Z, Xiao H, Bai Q, Wakefield MR, Fang Y. The paradoxical role of IL-10 in immunity and cancer. Cancer Lett. 2015;367:103-7
Wang QH, Ji ZG, Li HZ, Fan H, Chen ZG, Shi BB, Fang Y. Clinicopathologic Comparison of Urothelial Bladder Carcinoma in Young and Elder Patients. Pathol Oncol Res. 2016 Jan;22(1):67-70
Xu DH, Zhu Z, Wakefield MR, Xiao H, Bai Q, Fang Y. The role of IL-11 in immunity and cancer. Cancer Lett. 2016;373:156-63.
Davidson KT, Zhu Z, Fang Y. Phytochemicals in the Fight Against Cancer. Pathol Oncol Res. 2016;22:655-60.
Chen Z, Ji Z, Wang Q, Shi B, Shou C, Liu C, Fan H, Li H, Davidson KT, Wakefield MR, Ball TW, Fang Y.Expression of γ-Synuclein in Bladder Carcinoma: A Possible Marker for Prognosis. Anticancer Res. 2016;36:951-6.
Qin C, Luo G, Du M, Liao S, Wang C, Xu K, Tang J, Li B, Zhang J, Pan H, Ball TW, Fang Y. The clinical application of laparoscope-assisted peritoneal vaginoplasty for the treatment of congenital absence of vagina. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2016;133:320-4.
Nicholl MB, Chen X, Qin C, Bai Q, Zhu Z, Davis MR, Fang Y. IL-32α has differential effects on proliferation and apoptosis of human melanoma cell lines. J Surg Oncol. 2016;113:364-9.
Ciornei RT, Hong SH, Fang Y, Zhu Z, Braley-Mullen H. Mechanisms and kinetics of proliferation and fibrosis development in a mouse model of thyrocyte hyperplasia. Cell Immunol. 2016;304-305:16-26.
Ding VA, Zhu Z, Xiao H, Wakefield MR, Bai Q, Fang Y. The role of IL-37 in cancer. Med Oncol. 2016;33:68
Zhu Z, Davidson KT, Brittingham A, Wakefield MR, Bai Q, Xiao H, Fang Y. Trichomonas vaginalis: a possible foe to prostate cancer. Med Oncol. 2016;33:115.
Kelm NE, Zhu Z, Ding VA, Xiao H, Wakefield MR, Bai Q, Fang Y. The role of IL-29 in immunity and cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2016;106:91-8.
Fang Y, Zhao L, Xiao H, Cook KM, Bai Q, Herrick EJ, Chen X, Qin C, Zhu Z, Wakefield MR, Nicholl MB. IL-33 acts as a foe to MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer. Med Oncol. 2017;34(2):23.
Zhao L, Li H, Zhu Z, Wakefield MR, Fang Y, Ye Y. Genomic sequencing of a strain of Acinetobacter baumannii and potential mechanisms to antibiotics resistance. Infect Genet Evol. 2017;50:20-24. (co-corresponding author)
Xu DH, Zhu Z, Xiao H, Wakefield MR, Bai Q, Nicholl MB, Ding VA, Fang Y. Unveil the mysterious mask of cytokine-based immunotherapy for melanoma. Cancer Lett. 2017;394:43-51.
Lin J, Zhu Z, Xiao H, Wakefield MR, Ding VA, Bai Q, Fang Y. The role of IL-7 in immunity and cancer. Anticancer Res. 2017;37:963-967.
Li H, Bai G, Zhang X, Shi B, Liu D, Jiang H, Ji Z, Davis MR, Zhu Z, Fang Y. Effects of two different dosages of sildenafil on patients with erectile dysfunction. Am J Mens Health. 2017;11:525-530.
Ding VA, Zhu Z, Mantz AA, Xiao H, Wakefield MR, Bai Q, Fang Y. The Role of IL-37 in Non-Cancerous Diseases. Pathol Oncol Res. 2017;23:463-470.
2013, 2014 – Research Grant University of Missouri
2013 – Editorial Board, Biomedical Research International Endocrinology (IF 2013:2.880)
2011, 2012 – Research Grant University of Missouri
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 – Arthritis Foundation Research Fellowship Grant
2008 – Junior Faculty Travel Award by the American Association of Immunologists
2008 – Life Sciences Week of University of Missouri-Image Winner (1st Place)
2006, 2008 – Helen Mullen Travel Awards
2002, 2003 – L’Oreal Research Grant by French Government (Paris, France)
2001 – Young Expert in Urology field of Beijing
2001 – Young Expert in Urology field in Medical Centre of Beijing University
1995, 2000 – Annual Excellent Graduates in Peking Union Medical College
1993, 1994 – Annual Excellent Residents in 3rd Hospital of Beijing Medical University
1988, 1991, 1993 – Annual Excellent Medical Student of Beijing Medical University
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