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College of Pharmacy

College of Pharmacy

Faculty Profile

Xiang LiXiang Li

Research Associate Professor of Pharmacology
Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Office: 
University of Houston College of Pharmacy
Health 2, Room 5029
4349 Martin Luther King Boulevard
Houston, TX 77204-5037

Contact: xli59@uh.edu - 713-743-6616

Research:

The primary focus of my research is vascular pathobiology. Specifically, we are studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, restenosis, hypertension, and arterial stiffness associated with obesity, aging, or chronic kidney disease. We use different physiological, biochemical and molecular approaches including gene knockout, surgical intervention, adenoviral gene delivery. Current research topics include epigenetic regulation, lipid biology, redox signaling, vascular inflammation, cell senescence, progenitor cell differentiation and recruitment.

  • M.D. in Clinical Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
  • M.S., Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin
  • Ph.D., Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany

Google Scholar Profile
  • Zhang YZ, Wang YT, Koka S, Zhang Y., Hussain T, Li X. Simvastatin improves lysosome function via enhancing lysosome biogenesis in endothelial cells. Frontiers in bioscience (Landmark edition) 2020; 25, 283-298. PMCID:PMC6812495
  • Zhang Y, Chen Y, Zhang YZ, Li PL, Li X. Contribution of cathepsin B-dependent Nlrp3 inflammasome activation to nicotine-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction. Eur J Pharmacology 2019; 865:172795. PMCID: PMC6925381
  • Wang YT, Li X, Chen J, McConnel BK, Chen Li, Li PL, Chen Y, Zhang Y. Activation of TFEB prevents proliferation and migration of arterial smooth muscle cells and neointima formation in mice with high fat diet. Cell Death & Disease 2019; 10: 676. PMCID: PMC6742653
  • Abodakpi H, Wanger A, Tam VH. What the Clinical Microbiologist Should Know About Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics in the Era of Emerging Multidrug Resistance: Focusing on β-Lactam/β-Lactamase Inhibitor Combinations. Clin Lab Med. 2019; 39(3):473-485.
  • Wang YT, Chen J, Li X, Umetani M, Chen Y, Li PL, Zhang Y. Contribution of Transcription Factor EB to AdipoRon-induced Inhibition of Arterial Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Migration. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2019 317(5):C1034-C1047. PMID: 31483704.
  • Chen Y, Wang L, Pitzer AL, Li X, Li PL, Zhang Y. Contribution of redox-dependent activation of endothelial Nlrp3 inflammasomes to hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction. J Mol Med 2016;94:1335-1347 PMCID:PMC5512566 (Highlighted in Editorial Commentary "Could licorice lick inflammasomes?". J Mol Med. 2016;94:1309-1311)
  • Li X, Xu M, Pitzer AL, Xia M, Boini KM, Li PL, Zhang Y. Control of Autophagy Maturation by Acid Sphingomyelinase in Mouse Coronary Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells: Protective Role in Atherosclerosis. J Mol Med 2014; 92: 473-485. PMCID: PMC4211081. (Highlighted in Editorial Commentary "Acid sphingomyelinase, autophagy, and atherosclerosis". J Mol Med. 2014; 92: 429-431)
  • Li X, Zhang Y, Xia M, Gulbins E, Boini KM, Li PL. Activation of Nlrp3 Inflammasomes Enhances Macrophage Lipid-Deposition and Migration: Implication of a Novel Role of Inflammasome in Atherogenesis. PLoS One. 2014 9(1):e87552. PMCID: PMC3903678
  • Li X, Han WQ, Boini KM, Xia M, Zhang Y, Li PL. TRAIL-Death Receptor 4 Signaling via Lysosome Fusion and Membrane Raft Clustering In Coronary Arterial Endothelial Cells: Evidence from ASM Knockout Mice. J Mol Med. 2013; 91:25-36. PMCID: PMC3537912 (Commented in Lang F. The trail to deadly membrane rafts. J Mol Med. 2013:91:1-3)
  • Li, X, Gulbins E, Zhang Y. Role of kinase suppressor of ras-1 in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury. Cell Physiol Biochem. 2012; 30: 905-914. PMCID: PMC3758749
  • Li, X, Gulbins E, Zhang Y. Oxidative stress triggers Ca2+-dependent lysosome trafficking and activation of acid sphingomyelinase. Cell Physiol Biochem. 2012; 30: 815-826. PMCID: PMC3777434
  • Zhang Y, Li X, Carpinteiro A, Jeremy AG, Soddemann M, Gulbins E. Kinase suppressor of ras-1 protects against pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Nat Med. 2011; 17: 341-346.
  • Li X, Hong S, Li PL, Zhang Y. Docosahexanoic acid-induced coronary arterial dilation: Actions of 17S-hydroxy docosahexanoic acid on K+ channel activity. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2011; 336: 891-899. PMCID:PMC3061543

Awards & Honors

  • 2021 National Heart Lung Blood Institute Early Stage Investigator (ESI)
  • 2008-2010 Predoctoral Fellowship from German Science Foundation (DFG)
  • 2008 Forschungstag Medizinischen Fakultät Essen gestiftete Posterpreis