Personal Introduction

Education and Training:

• 1982.08-1987.07, The Fourth Military Medical University, B.S. degree

• 1990.08-1993.07, The Fourth Military Medical University, Master degree

• 1993.08-1996.07, The Fourth Military Medical University, Ph.D. degree

Professional Experience:

• 1987.08-1990.07, Department of Histology and Embryology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Teaching Assistant

• 1996.08-1997.07, Department of Human Anatomy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Lecturer

• 1997.07-1999.01, Kyushu University, Postdoctoral Fellow

• 1999.01-2003.01, College of Life Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Professor/Dean

• 2003.01-2011.05, Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Principal Investigator

• 2011.06-present, Department of Anatomy and physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Dean/Professor

• 2020.05-present, Center for Children’s Brain Science, National Children's Medical Center (Shanghai), Director

Research interests

Our laboratory is dedicated to the interpretation of brain cognitive principles and basic clinical translational research. At the microscopic scale, we aim to elucidate the signal transduction mechanisms of neuronal cells and their physiological functions, and to investigate the role and mechanisms of the novel ion channel ASIC in synaptic plasticity and learning memory. We also explore the abnormal mechanism of ion channels and neural signaling and novel interventions in stroke, chronic pain and related emotional disorders. At the mesoscopic scale, we study the long-range and local circuit mechanisms of "emotion (e.g., fear, happiness)-mood-empathy" and their interactions with memory, attention and social behavior from the perspective of "memory engram" to inspire new techniques of precise neuromodulation.

Scientific Research Projects

• Grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China: 2021ZD0202800 (2021.12-2026.11)

• Grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China: 31930050 (2020.01.01-2024.12.31)

• Grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China: 81961128024 (2020.01.01-2024.12.31)

• Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Major Project: 2018SHZDZX05 (2018.07-2023.06)

• Grant from the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality: 18JC1420302 (2018.12-2021.11)

• Grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China: 81730095 (2018.01.01-2022.12.31)

• Grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China: 91632304 (2017.01.01-2019.12.31)

Publications

1. Azoulay IS#, Qi X#, Rozenfeld M, Liu F, Hu Q, Ben Kasus Nissim T, Stavsky A, Zhu MX, Xu TL*, Sekler I* (2022) ASIC1a senses lactate uptake to regulate metabolism in neurons. Redox Biology 51:102253.

2. Li WG#, Wu YJ#, Gu X#, Fan HR, Wang Q, Zhu JJ, Yi X, Wang Q, Jiang Q, Li Y, Yuan TF, Xu H, Lu J, Xu NJ, Zhu MX, Xu TL* (2021) Input associativity underlies fear memory renewal. National Science Review 8(9):nwab004.

3. Wang JJ#, Liu F#, Yang F, Wang YZ, Qi X, Li Y, Hu Q*, Zhu MX*, Xu TL* (2020) Disruption of auto-inhibition underlies conformational signaling of ASIC1a to induce neuronal necroptosis. Nature Communications 11(1):475.

4. Su X#, Chen M#, Yuan Y, Li Y, Guo SS, Luo HQ, Huang C, Sun W, Li Y, Zhu MX, Liu MG*, Hu J*, Xu TL* (2019) Central processing of itch in the midbrain reward center. Neuron, 102(4):858-872.

5. Wang Q#, Wang Q#, Song XL, Jiang Q, Wu YJ, Li Y, Yuan TF, Zhang S, Xu NJ, Zhu MX, Li WG*, Xu TL* (2018) Fear extinction requires ASIC1a-dependent regulation of hippocampal-prefrontal correlates. Science Advances, 4(10):eaau3075.

6. Yu Z#, Wu YJ#, Wang YZ, Liu DS, Song XL, Jiang Q, Li Y, Zhang SY, Xu NJ, Zhu MX, Li WG*, Xu TL* (2018) ASIC1a mediates striatal synapse remodeling and procedural motor learning. Science Signaling, 11(542):eaar4481.

7. Li WG#, Liu MG#, Deng S#, Liu YM, Shang L, Ding J, Hsu TT, Jiang Q, Li Y, Li F*, Zhu MX*, Xu TL* (2016) ASIC1a regulates insular long-term depression and is required for the extinction of conditioned taste aversion. Nature Communications, 7: 13770.

8. Wang YZ#, Wang JJ#, Huang Y, Liu F, Zeng WZ, Li Y, Xiong ZG, Zhu MX, Xu TL* (2015) Tissue acidosis induces neuronal necroptosis via ASIC1a channel independent of its ionic conduction. eLife.4: e05682.

9. Peng Z#, Li WG#, Huang C, Jiang YM, Wang X, Zhu MX, Cheng X*, Xu TL* (2015) ASIC3 mediates itch sensation in response to coincident stimulation by acid and nonproton ligand. Cell Reports, 13(2): 387-398.

10. Wang YZ, Zeng WZ, Xiao X, Huang Y, Song XL, Yu Z, Tang D, Dong XP, Zhu MX, Xu TL* (2013) Intracellular ASIC1a regulates mitochondrial permeability transition-dependent neuronal death. Cell Death and Differentiation, 20(10): 1359-1369.

11. Zeng WZ, Liu DS, Duan B, Song XL, Wang X, Wei D, Jiang W, Zhu MX, Li Y, Xu TL* (2013) Molecular mechanism of constitutive endocytosis of acid-sensing ion channel 1a and its protective function in acidosis-induced neuronal death. Journal of Neuroscience, 33(16): 7066-7078.

12. Wang X, Li WG, Yu Y, Xiao X, Cheng J, Zeng WZ, Peng Z, Zhu MX, Xu TL* (2013) Serotonin facilitates peripheral pain sensitivity in a manner that depends on the nonproton ligand sensing domain of ASIC3 channel. Journal of Neuroscience, 33(10): 4265-4279.

13. Duan B#, Liu DS#, Huang Y, Zeng WZ, Wang X, Yu H, Zhu MX, Chen ZY, Xu TL* (2012) PI3-kinase/Akt pathway-regulated membrane insertion of Acid-sensing ion channel 1a underlies BDNF-induced pain hypersensitivity. Journal of Neuroscience, 32(18): 6351-6363.

14. Duan B#, Wang YZ#, Yang T, Chu XP, Yu Y, Huang Y, Cao H, Hansen J, Simon RP, Zhu MX, Xiong ZG, Xu TL* (2011) Extracellular spermine exacerbates ischemic neuronal injury through sensitization of ASIC1a channels to extracellular acidosis. Journal of Neuroscience, 31(6): 2101-2112.

15. Yu Y#, Chen Z#, Li WG#, Cao H, Feng EG, Yu F, Liu H, Jiang H*, Xu TL* (2010) A nonproton ligand sensor in the acid-sensing ion channel. Neuron, 68(1): 61-72.

16. Pan X#, Gong N#, Zhao J, Yu Z, Gu F, Chen J, Sun X, Zhao L, Yu M, Xu Z, Dong W, Qin Y, Fei G, Zhong C*, Xu TL* (2010) Powerful beneficial effects of benfotiamine on cognitive impairment and beta-amyloid deposition in amyloid precursor protein/presenilin-1 transgenic mice. Brain, 133(5): 1342-1351.

17. Xu TL*, Gong N (2010) Glycine and glycine receptor signaling in hippocampal neurons: diversity, function and regulation. Progress in Neurobiology, 91(4): 349-361.

18. Yang H#, Yu Y#, Li WG, Yu F, Cao H, Xu TL*, Jiang H* (2009) Inherent dynamics of the acid-sensing ion channel 1 correlates with the gating mechanism. PLoS Biology, 7(7): e1000151.

19. Xu TL*, Duan B (2009) Calcium-permeable acid-sensing ion channel in nociceptive plasticity: a new target for pain control. Progress in Neurobiology, 87(3): 171-180.

20. Gong N, Li Y, Cai GQ, Niu RF, Fang Q, Wu K, Chen Z, Lin LN, Xu L, Fei J, Xu TL* (2009) GABA transporter-1 activity modulates hippocampal theta oscillation and theta burst stimulation-induced long-term potentiation. Journal of Neuroscience, 29(50): 15836-15845.

21. Zhang Z, Gong N, Wang W, Xu L, Xu TL* (2008) Bell-shaped D-serine actions on hippocampal long-term depression and spatial memory retrieval. Cerebral Cortex, 18(10): 2391-2401.

22. Zhang LH#, Gong N#, Fei D, Xu L, Xu TL* (2008) Glycine uptake regulates hippocampal network activity via glycine receptor-mediated tonic inhibition. Neuropsychopharmacology, 33(3):701-711.

23. Duan B, Wu LJ, Yu YQ, Ding Y, Jing L, Xu L, Chen J*, Xu TL* (2007) Upregulation of acid-sensing ion channel ASIC1a in spinal dorsal horn neurons contributes to inflammatory pain hypersensitivity. Journal of Neuroscience, 27(41): 11139-11148.

24. Gao J, Duan B, Wang DG, Deng XH, Zhang GY, Xu L, Xu TL* (2005) Coupling between NMDA receptor and acid-sensing ion channel contributes to ischemic neuronal death. Neuron, 48(4):635-646.