Pengyu Zhang

Dr. Pengyu Zhang

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

View All Publications
1 February 2025 in Antioxidants & Redox Signaling
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
XDXizhi Deng
Xizhi Deng
MZMin Zhu
Min Zhu
YLYang Liu
Yang Liu
NZNan Zhang
Nan Zhang
PZPengyu Zhang
Pengyu Zhang
MKMin Ke
Min Ke
Deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the trabecular meshwork (TM), as induced by dexamethasone (DEX), is believed to play an important role in the onset of glucocorticoid-induced glaucoma (GIG). Abnormal ECM deposition is a consequence of mitochondrial dysfunction. We aimed to clarify how mitochondrial dysfunction leads to ECM deposition within the TM and to support the development of novel therapeutic strategies. In primary human TM cells (pHTMCs) and a dexamethasone acetate-induced murine model of GIG, glucocorticoid administration stimulated both mitochondrial fission and ECM deposition. Excessive mitochondrial fission leads to dysfunction and the overexpression of ECM proteins in pHTMCs. Notably, when pHTMCs were treated with the Drp1 inhibitor Mdivi-1 or with Drp1 siRNA, we observed a marked reduction in DEX-induced mitochondrial damage and ECM proteins in vitro. Furthermore, in C57BL/6J mice, treatment with Mdivi-1 mitigated mitochondrial damage and blocked ECM deposition within the TM. We then employed Ro3306 to inhibit the CDK1-mediated phosphorylation of Drp1 at Ser 616, which restored mitochondrial function and diminished DEX-induced ECM protein expression in pHTMCs. This study illuminates the pathogenic mechanism linking mitochondrial dysfunction to ECM deposition in GIG. Our innovative approach revealed that DEX stimulates mitochondrial fission via CDK1-mediated p-Drp1s616 overexpression, which drives ECM accumulation. It offered a novel therapeutic strategy for reducing ECM protein expression by inhibiting excessive mitochondrial fission and restoring mitochondrial function. By targeting the CDK1/Drp1-driven mitochondrial fission process, we can counteract DEX-induced ECM deposition in the TM both in vivo and in vitro.

16 October 2024 in Experimental Eye Research
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
NZNan Zhang
Nan Zhang
DJDongxiao Ji
Dongxiao Ji
YHYixin Hu
Yixin Hu
PZPengyu Zhang
Pengyu Zhang
XDXizhi Deng
Xizhi Deng
MKMin Ke
Min Ke