Ph.D..Professor of Center for Lipid Research, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education.Internal medicine.Nutritional Science

Contact Information:

Tel: 86-23-68486780

Fax: 86-23-68486780

Email: laleinlz@hotmail.com

Web: https://lipid.cqmu.edu.cn/

Mail Address: No.109 # mailbox, Chongqing Medical University, No.1 Yixueyuan Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China

Keywords:

NAFLD, obesity, fatty acids, CD36

Research:

The molecular mechanisms regulating lipid metabolism

Research Abstract:

Dr Lei zhao’s group researches the molecular mechanisms regulating lipid metabolism and how abnormalities in lipid metabolism can result in metabolic disorders such as NAFLD, obesity and diabetes. She identified CD36 palmitoylation is important for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis development and inhibition of CD36 palmitoylation could be used to cure nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Lei zhao’s studies also suggest an approach for harnessing the lysosome biogenesis program to attenuate obesity-induced inflammation and its downstream sequelae.

Education:

2008.10-2009.10  Joint Ph.D candidate, Chongqing Medical University (China) and University College London Medical School (United Kingdom)

2004.9–2009.7  Ph.D., Surgery, Chongqing Medical University

1999.9–2004.7  B.Sc, Clinical Medicine, Chongqing Medical University

Academic Appointments:

2018.11-present  Professor, Center of Lipid Research, Chongqing Medical School

2013.9-2018.10  Associated professor, Center of Lipid Research, Chongqing Medical School

2009.10-2013.8 Lecture, Center of Lipid Research, Chongqing Medical School

Selected Grants:

2020-2023 as Principal Investigator, “N-glycosylation of fatty acid translocation enzyme FAT/CD36 induces lysosomal dysfunction: a novel mechanism in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis”, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC 81970510)

2017 -2017 as Principal Investigator, “Palmitoylation modifies the localization and function of fatty acid translocation enzyme FAT/CD36 in lipid rafts: a novel mechanism for insulin resistance”, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC 31640043)

2016 -2016 as Principal Investigator, “Palmitoylation of fatty acid translocation enzyme FAT/CD36 in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance”, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC 31540029)

2013 -2015 as Principal Investigator, “Role and molecular mechanism of pattern recognition receptor CD36 in adipose tissue metabolic inflammation”, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC 81200567)

Selected Publications:

1. Zijing Lin, Jianping Gong, Guochao Zhong, Jiejun Hu, Dong Cai, Lei Zhao (*), Zhibo Zhao (*). Identification of Mutator-Derived Alternative Splicing Signatures of Genomic Instability for Improving the Clinical Outcome of Cholangiocarcinoma. Front Oncol. 2021, 14;11:666847.

2. Lei Zhao, Yuqi Li, Qiuying Ding, Yanping Li, Yaxi Chen (*), Xiong Z Ruan (*). CD36 Senses Dietary Lipids and Regulates Lipids Homeostasis in the Intestine. Front Physiol. 2021, 28;12:669279.

3. Xiaoxiao Luo(#), Yanping Li(#), Ping Yang, Yao Chen, Li Wei, Ting Yu, Jun Xia, Xiong Z Ruan, Lei Zhao (*), Yaxi Chen (*). Obesity Induces Preadipocyte Cd36 Expression Promoting Inflammation Via the Disruption of Lysosomal Calcium Homeostasis and Lysosome Function. EBioMedicine. 2020, 56: 102797

4. Zhao Lei; Zhang Chang; Luo Xiaoxiao; Wang Pei; Zhou Wei; Zhong Shan; Xie Yunxia; Jiang Yibo; Yang Ping; Tang Renkuang; Pan Qin; Hall Andrew R; Luong Tu Vinh; Fan Jiangao; Varghese Zac; Moorhead John F; Pinzani Massimo; Chen Yaxi(*) ; Ruan Xiong Z (*), CD36 palmitoylation disrupts free fatty acid metabolism and promotes tissue inflammation in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, Journal of Hepatology, 2018.09,69(3):705~717.

5. Zhao Lei; Varghese Z; Moorhead J F; Chen Yaxi; Ruan Xiong Z(*), CD36 and lipid metabolism in the evolution of atherosclerosis, British Medical Bulletin, 2018, 1;126(1):101-112.

6. Zhong Shan(#); Zhao Lei(#); Wang Yan; Zhang Chang; Liu Jun; Wang Pei; Zhou Wei; Yang Ping; Varghese Zac; Moorhead John F; Chen Yaxi (*); Ruan Xiong Z(*), Cluster of Differentiation 36 Deficiency Aggravates Macrophage Infiltration and Hepatic Inflammation by Upregulating Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 Expression of Hepatocytes Through Histone Deacetylase 2-Dependent Pathway, Antioxidants and Redox Signaling, 2017.08.1, 27(4): 201~214

7. Zhao Lei(#); Zhong Shan(#); Qu Haiyang(#); Xie Yunxia; Cao Zhennan; Li Qing; Yang Ping; Varghese Zac; Moorhead John F; Chen Yaxi (*); Ruan Xiong Z(*), Chronic inflammation aggravates metabolic disorders of hepatic fatty acids in high-fat diet-induced obese mice, Scientific Reports, 2015.05.14, 5(1): 10222.