Feng Zhu

Dr. Feng Zhu


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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13 July 2022 in Disease Markers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
FGFei Gao
Fei Gao
HFHeng Fan
Heng Fan
LXLinping Xue
Linping Xue
ZSZhexing Shou
Zhexing Shou
FZFeng Zhu
Feng Zhu
DZDongmei Zuo
Dongmei Zuo
Objective. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is closely related to immune response, in which Treg cells (Tregs) suppress the autoimmune response of effector T cells to maintain homeostasis. As a marker of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), HSPA5 was highly expressed in the colon tissue of UC patients. This study is aimed at evaluating the therapeutic effect of HSPA5 inhibitor (HA15) on dextran sulfate sodium- (DSS-) induced ulcerative colitis in mice and explored the effect and related mechanism of HSPA5 inhibitor on the differentiation and function of Tregs. Methods. Thirty-two C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups (8 mice per group): normal control group, DSS model group, HSPA5 inhibitor (HA15) group (intraperitoneal injection), and dexamethasone (DXM) group (intraperitoneal injection). Except for the blank control group, the other groups were induced with 3 DSS for 7 days and then given corresponding intervention therapy for 7 days. Results. The disease activity index (DAI) score, colon length, histopathological changes, and scores of DSS-induced mice show that HA15 could significantly improve the degree of inflammation in ulcerative colitis. Moreover, HA15 can better inhibit the expression of HSPA5, HSPA1A, and CHIP in the colon and increase the level of FOXP3 mRNA. Finally, the content of Treg cells and the levels of IL-10 and TGF-β1 were significantly increased, and the levels of IL-6 were significantly reduced. Conclusions. HA15 can improve the differentiation and function of Treg cells by inhibiting the HSPA1A/CHIP pathway, thereby improving ulcerative colitis. Therefore, inhibiting the expression of HSPA5 may serve as a new approach to treat ulcerative colitis.