Binhai Zheng, PhD

Research Title
Axon regeneration and CNS repair

Research Description
The capacity to regenerate axons in the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) after traumatic injuries is extremely limited. Our lab studies the molecular mechanisms of axon regeneration failure in the CNS using a combination of molecular biology, in vitro neuronal culture, mouse genetics, mouse models of spinal cord injury and in vivo optic imaging. Current research focuses on the interplay between neuron intrinsic and extrinsic factors in regulating axon regeneration and the role of axonal sprouting in functional recovery. Our research may aid in the development of novel therapeutic intervention for spinal cord injury, white matter stroke and certain neurodegenerative disorders.

Wang, L., Klein, R., Zheng, B., Marquardt, T. (2011). Anatomical Coupling of Sensory and Motor Nerve Trajectory via Axon Tracking. Neuron 71, 263-77.

Liu, K., Lu, Y., Lee, J. K., Samara, R., Willenberg, R., Sears- Kraxberger, I., Tedeschi, A., Park, K. K., Jin, D., Cai, B., Xu, B., Connolly, L., Steward, O., Zheng, B., and He, Z. (2010). PTEN deletion enhances the regenerative ability of adult corticospinal neurons. Nat. Neurosci. 13, 1075-1081.

Lee, J. K., Chow, R., Xie, F., Chow, S. Y., Tolentino, K. E., and Zheng, B. (2010). Combined genetic attenuation of myelin and Semaphorin-mediated growth inhibition is insufficient to promote serotonergic axon regeneration. J. Neurosci. 30, 10899-10904.

Lee, J. K., Geoffroy, C. G., Chan, A. F., Tolentino, K. E., Crawford, M. J., Leal, M. A., Kang, B., and Zheng, B. (2010). Assessing spinal axon regeneration and sprouting in Nogo-, MAG-, and OMgp-deficient mice. Neuron 66, 663-670.

Masliah, E., Xie, F., Dayan, S., Rockenstein, E., Mante, M., Adame, A., Patrick, C. M., Chan, A. F., Zheng, B. (2010). Genetic deletion of Nogo/Rtn4 ameliorates behavioral and neuropathological outcomes in amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice. Neuroscience 169, 488-494.

Herrmann, J. E., Shah, R. R., Chan, A. F., and Zheng, B. (2010). EphA4 deficient mice maintain astroglial-fibrotic scar formation after spinal cord injury. Exp. Neurol. 223, 582-598.

Herrmann, J. E., Pence, M. A., Shapera, E. A., Shah, R. R., Geoffroy, C. G., and Zheng, B. (2010). Generation of an EphA4 conditional allele in mice. Genesis 48, 101-105.

Lee, J. K.*, Case, L. C.*, Chan, A. F., Zhu, Y., Tessier-Lavigne, M., and Zheng, B. (2009). Generation of an OMgp allelic series in mice. Genesis 47, 751-6. *Equal contributors.

Lee, J. K, Chan, A. F., Luu, S. M., Zhu, Y, Ho, C., Tessier-Lavigne, M., and Zheng, B. (2009). Reassessment of corticospinal tract regeneration in Nogo deficient mice. J. Neurosci. 29, 8649-54.

Ruby, K. M, and Zheng, B. (2009). Gene targeting in a HUES line of human embryonic stem cells via electroporation. Stem Cells 27, 1496-506.

Davalos, D.*, Lee, J. K.*, Smith, W. B., Brinkman, B., Ellisman, M. H., Zheng, B., and Akassoglou, K. (2008). Stable in vivo imaging of densely populated glia, axons and blood vessels in the mouse spinal cord using two-photon microscopy. J Neurosci Methods 169, 1-7. * Equal contributors.

Schachtrup, C., Lu, P., Jones, L. L., Lee, J. K., Lu, J., Sachs, B. D., Zheng, B. and Akassoglou, K. (2007). Fibrinogen inhibits neurite outgrowth via beta3 integrin-mediated phosphorylation of the EGF receptor. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 104, 11814-9.

Steward, O., Zheng, B., Banos, K., and Yee, K. M. (2007). Response to: Kim et al., "Axon Regeneration in Young Adult Mice Lacking Nogo-A/B." Neuron 38, 187-199. Neuron 54, 191-5.

Zheng, B., Lee, J. K., and Xie, F. (2006). Genetic mouse models for studying inhibitors of spinal axon regeneration. Trends in Neurosci. 29, 640-6.