Zhigang Fan

Prof. Zhigang Fan


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

9Years (2018-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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23 January 2023 in Frontiers in Endocrinology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
YTYizhen Tang
Yizhen Tang
YSYan Shi
Yan Shi
ZFZhigang Fan
Zhigang Fan
Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a devastating secondary glaucoma characterized by the appearance of neovascular over the iris and the proliferation of fibrovascular tissue in the anterior chamber angle. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is one of the leading causes of NVG. Currently increasing diabetes population drive the prevalence rate of NVG into a fast-rising lane. The pathogenesis underlying NVG makes it refractory to routine management for other types of glaucoma in clinical practice. The combination of panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections, anti-glaucoma drugs, surgical intervention as well as blood glucose control is needed. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment in time are crucial in halting the neovascularization process and preserving vision. This review provides an overview of NVG secondary to diabetic retinopathy (DR), including the epidemiology, pathogenesis and management, so as to provide a better understanding as well as potential therapeutic strategies for future treatment.

3 May 2021 in Visual Neuroscience
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
XYXiaowei Yu
Xiaowei Yu
NSNannan Sun
Nannan Sun
XYXue Yang
Xue Yang
ZZZhenni Zhao
Zhenni Zhao
JZJiamin Zhang
Jiamin Zhang
ZFZhigang Fan
Zhigang Fan
Previously, we reported the myelin regulatory factor (MYRF) as a candidate gene for nanophthalmos. We have also produced Myrf knockdown (Myrf+/−) mouse strain to investigate the cellular and molecular phenotypes of reduced MYRF expression in the retina. Myrf+/− mouse strain was generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Optomotor response system, electroretinogram (ERG), spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), histology, and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate retinal spatial vision, electrophysiological function, retinal thickness, and pathological changes in cone or rod photoreceptors, respectively. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism linking Myrf deficiency with photoreceptor defects. The genotype and phenotype of CRISPR/Cas9-induced Myrf+/− mice and their offspring were comprehensively investigated. Photoreceptor defects were detected in the retinas of Myrf+/− mice. Visual acuity and ERG responses were decreased in Myrf+/− mice compared with the control mice (Myrf+/+). The loss of cone and rod neurons was proportional to the decreased outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness. Moreover, RNA-seq revealed that phototransduction and estrogen signaling pathways played important roles in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Myrf+/− mouse strain provides a good model to investigate the function of the MYRF gene. Photoreceptor defects with impaired functions of spatial vision and retinal electrophysiology indicate an important role played by MYRF in retinal development. Alterations in phototransduction and estrogen signaling pathways play important roles in linking Myrf deficiency with retinal photoreceptor defects.

30 April 2024 in BMC Ophthalmology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
XPXue-Ting Pei
Xue-Ting Pei
SWShu-Hua Wang
Shu-Hua Wang
GQGuo-Ping Qing
Guo-Ping Qing
XYXiao-Wei Yu
Xiao-Wei Yu
YSYan Shi
Yan Shi
ZFZhigang Fan
Zhigang Fan
Background: This study aims to investigate the morphologic features of the crystalline lens in Primary Angle Closure Disease (PACD) patients with zonular instability during cataract surgery using the swept-source CASIA 2 Anterior Segment-Optical Coherence Tomography (AS-OCT) system. Methods: A total of 398 eyes (125 PACD eyes with zonular instability, 133 PACD eyes with zonular stability, and 140 cataract patient controls) of 398 patients who underwent cataract surgery combined or not glaucoma surgery between January 2021 and January 2023 were enrolled. The crystalline lens parameters were measured by CASIA2 AS-OCT. Then, logistic regression was performed to evaluate the risk factors associated with zonular instability. Results: The results revealed that PACD eyes had a more anterior lens equator position, a steeper anterior curvature of lens, shorter Axial Length (AL), shallower Anterior Chamber Distance (ACD), higher Lens Vault (LV) and thicker Lens Thickness (LT), when compared to eyes in the cataract control group. Furthermore, PACD eyes in the zonular instability group had steeper front R, front Rs and Front Rf, flatter back Rf, thicker lens anterior part thickness, higher lens anterior-to-posterior part thickness ratios, shallower ACD, and greater LV, when compared to PACD eyes with zonular stability. The logistic regression analysis, which was adjusted for age and gender, revealed that zonular instability was positively correlated with anterior part thickness, lens anterior-to-posterior part thickness ratio, and LV, but was negatively correlated with lens anterior radius and ACD. Conclusion: Steeper anterior curvature, increased lens anterior part thickness, higher anterior-to-posterior part thickness ratio, shallower ACD, and greater LV are the anatomic features of PACD eyes associated with zonular instability.

27 April 2021 in International Ophthalmology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
XYXiaowei Yu
Xiaowei Yu
ZZZhenni Zhao
Zhenni Zhao
DZDandan Zhang
Dandan Zhang
XYXue Yang
Xue Yang
NSNannan Sun
Nannan Sun
ZFZhigang Fan
Zhigang Fan

15 April 2018 in Stem Cells International
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ZLZiming Luo
Ziming Luo
KLKang Li
Kang Li
KLKaijing Li
Kaijing Li
BXBikun Xian
Bikun Xian
YLYing Liu
Ying Liu
JGJian Ge
Jian Ge
Background. To develop an effective surgical procedure for cellular scaffold epiretinal implantation in rhesus, facilitating subsequent epiretinal stem cell transplantation. Methods. Retinal progenitors were seeded onto a poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) scaffold. First, the cellular scaffolds were delivered by 18G catheter or retinal forceps into rabbit epiretinal space (n=50). Then, the cell survival rate was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). Second, three methods of scaffold fixation, including adhesion after gas-liquid exchange (n=1), tamponade by hydrogel (n=1), and fixation by retinal tacks (n=4), were performed in rhesus monkeys. After one month, fundus photography and SD-OCT were performed to assess the outcomes, and histological examination was performed to evaluate proliferation. Results. The cell survival rate was significantly higher in the catheter group. Follow-up examination showed that retinal tack fixation was the only method to maintain the scaffolds attached to host retina for at least 3 weeks, which is the minimal time required for cell integration. Histological staining demonstrated slight glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) accumulation in the retinal tack insertion area. Conclusions. The established surgical procedure offers a new insight into research of epiretinal cell replacement therapy in rhesus eyes. The successful delivery and long-term fixation provide a prerequisite for cell migration and integration.

14 April 2022 in American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
XYXiaowei Yu
Xiaowei Yu
BKBrad Kline
Brad Kline
YHYing Han
Ying Han
YGYan Gao
Yan Gao
ZFZhigang Fan
Zhigang Fan
YSYan Shi
Yan Shi
To retrospectively report a case of Weill-Marchesani syndrome 4 (WMS4) with compound heterozygous variants of ADAMTS17 gene. The patient was a 7-year-old boy with progressively worsening eyesight and intermittent elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) for two years. His IOPs were temporarily controlled using anti-glaucoma drugs. At presentation he had a shallow anterior chamber, lens subluxation, spherophakia and extensive synechial angle closure with high myopia in both eyes. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) identified thickened zonule fibers and anteriorly rotated, flat and slender ciliary processes, both of which worsened and were accompanied by obvious iris bombe after miosis. Gene testing showed compound heterozygosity of a maternal submicroscopic deletion on chromosome 15q26.3 (0.774 Mb) affecting the sequences of ADAMTS17, LYSMD4 and CERS3 as well as a paternal nonsense variant (c.1051_1053delAAGinsTAA, P.K351X) in the ADAMTS17 gene in the proband. The diagnosis of WMS4 was confirmed by genetic testing. Phacoemulsification (Phaco), intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, and irido-zonulo-hyaloid-vitrectomy (IZHV) combined with Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV) implantation as a staged or one-stage surgery effectively lowered IOP, deepened ACD, improved visual acuity, and resolved the configuration of the ciliary processes in both eyes. Recessive ADAMTS17 variants are associated with WMS4. We report here compound heterozygous variants in ADAMTS17 causing WMS4, and anatomically highlighted the possible pathophysiology for its clinical phenotype. A modified surgical approach with Phaco, IOL implantation, and IZHV combined with AGV implantation could be used to treat these complicated cases.