Projects

The major focus of the Xing Laboratory is to study the regulation of bone cell function in diseases affecting skeleton including inflammatory bone loss, osteoarthritis, fracture and bone cancers. For mechanistic study, the lab focused on TNF/NF-κB/Notch signal pathways and pathways involving protein degradation. The lab uses combinations of genetically modified animals, in vivo imaging technologies, bio-informatics, histology and in vitro cellular and molecular approaches. Dr. Xing’s research has been continuously funded by grants from NIH, NYSTEM, and foundations.

Bone Cell Regulation in Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

The long-term goal is to investigate the influence of chronic inflammation on bone cell function. We use mouse models of inflammatory arthritis and focus on TNF/RANKL/NF-κB signaling pathways. We demonstrated increased osteoclasts and osteoclast precursors and decreased osteoblasts and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from mice and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), indicating inadequate coupling between osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption in chronic inflammatory bone disease.

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Lymphatic System and Bone Disorders

This program studies involvement of the lymphatic system in the regulation of osteoclast function and the pathogenesis of chronic arthritis. We demonstrated that good lymphatic drainage plays a critical beneficial role in limiting the severity of RA joint diseases.

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Proteasomal Regulation of Bone Cell Function

Bone fractures in the elderly often have delayed or non-union repair, which is accompanied by reduced angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Protein ubiquitination and degradation is an important regulatory mechanism in cells, but its implication in fracture healing has not been well studied.

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Bone Targeting Approach for Bone Cancers

Bone fractures in the elderly often have delayed or non-union repair, which is accompanied by reduced angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Protein ubiquitination and degradation is an important regulatory mechanism in cells, but its implication in fracture healing has not been well studied.

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