Jiawu Zhao

Dr. Jiawu Zhao

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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17 November 2024 in European Journal of Pharmacology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
RCRebecca P. Chow
Rebecca P. Chow
JZJiawu Zhao
Jiawu Zhao
YLYanchun Li
Yanchun Li
TCTim M Curtis
Tim M Curtis
TLTimothy J. Lyons
Timothy J. Lyons
JYJeremy Yu
Jeremy Yu

6 January 2024 in Cells
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JZJiawu Zhao
Jiawu Zhao
RDRui Duan
Rui Duan
JSJinghui Sun
Jinghui Sun
RCRebecca Chow
Rebecca Chow
TLTimothy J. Lyons
Timothy J. Lyons
JYJeremy Yu
Jeremy Yu
Low-dose aspirin (LDA) is efficacious in preventing preeclampsia, but its mechanism of action is unclear. Conflicting evidence suggests that it may inhibit placental trophoblast release of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt1), a key mediator of preeclampsia. We examined whether, and at what concentrations, aspirin and its principal metabolite, salicylic acid, modulate sFlt1 release and/or expression in trophoblasts. Human trophoblast lines BeWo and HTR-8/SVneo were cultured; BeWo cells were also treated with 1% oxygen vs. normoxia to mimic hypoxia in preeclamptic placentas. Cells were treated with aspirin or salicylic acid vs. vehicle for 24 h at concentrations relevant to LDA and at higher concentrations. Protein concentrations (ELISA) and mRNA expression (RT-PCR) of sFlt1 were determined. Under normoxia, LDA-relevant concentrations of aspirin (10–50 µmol/L) or salicylic acid (20–100 µmol/L) had no significant effect on sFlt1 protein release or mRNA expression in BeWo cells. However, inhibition was observed at higher concentrations (1 mmol/L for aspirin and ≥200 μmol/L for salicylic acid). Hypoxia enhanced sFlt1 protein release and mRNA expression in BeWo cells, but these responses were not significantly affected by either aspirin or salicylic acid at LDA concentrations. Similarly, neither drug altered sFlt1 protein secretion or mRNA expression in normoxic HTR-8/SVneo cells at LDA concentrations. We suggest that direct modulation of trophoblast release or expression of sFlt1 is unlikely to be a mechanism underlying the clinical efficacy of LDA in preeclampsia.