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Faculty Detail Faculty Entry   
Name YABING CHEN  
Campus Address SHEL 614 Zip 2182
Phone 205-996-6293
E-mail ybchen@uab.edu" id="FacultyDetail1EmailAddress"><a href="mailto:ybchen@uab.edu">ybchen@uab.edu</a>
URL
 
 

Department Affiliations(s)
Appointment Type Department Division Rank
Center  Center for Aging  Center for Aging Associate Professor
Center  Center for Metabolic Bone Disease  Center for Metabolic Bone Disease Associate Professor
Center  Comprehensive Cancer Center  Comprehensive Cancer Center Associate Professor
Center  Medicine  Comprehensive Diabetes Ctr Associate Professor
Center  Medicine  Med - Cardiovascular Disease Associate Professor
Center  Medicine  Med - Nephrology Associate Professor
Primary  Pathology   Joint Pathology Associate Professor

Biographical Sketch 
Dr. Chen received her BS degree from Fudan University and her Ph.D. from Xiamen University. She completed postdoctoral training and was appointed as a research instructor at the University of Vermont, School of Medicine. Dr. Chen joined the faculty of Department of Pathology at UAB in June 2004. She is currently a tenured Associate Professor in Molecular and Cellular Pathology as well as a Principal Investigator of the Birmingham VA Medical Research Division. Dr. Chen serves as an editorial board member for Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (ATVB). She is a Fellow of the American Heart Association (AHA) and a member of Committee for Scientific Sessions Planning (CSSP) Committee of the AHA/ATVB council.

Society Memberships
Organization Name Position Held Org Link
American Association for Cancer Research  Member   
American Heart Association  Fellow   
American Society for Bone and Mineral Research  Member   
 

Research/Clinical Interest
Title
Gene Regulation and Function in the Pathogenesis of Disease
Description
Regulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) contributes significantly to the development of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and pulmonary hypertension. Vascular calcification is a feature of advanced atherosclerosis, a process of differentiation of VSMC to “bone-like” cells that resembles the process of osteogenesis. Increased oxidative stress accelerates the progression of atherosclerosis and vascular calcification. Projects involve characterization of molecular signals that regulates osteogenic transcription factor Runx2 in vascular calcification, as well as mechanisms underlying Runx2 in modulating the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and vascular calcification. We use cell culture systems and conditional Runx2 knock out mouse models to elucidate the definitive role of Runx2 in regulating vascular calcification, which may lead to novel strategies and targets to treat atherosclerosis.

In cancer biology, we have been investigating the molecular mechanisms by which calmodulin regulates death receptor signaling pathways in tumorigenesis. Currently, we are elucidating molecular mechanisms of resistance of pancreatic cancer to therapy with anti-death receptor 5 antibody. These studies will define novel mediators in the apoptotic machinery, and may lead to identification of new compounds that overcome drug resistance.

Postdoc Positions Available
Date Posted Position Title
09/15/2010  Postdoctoral Associate/Fellow 
We are currently seeking postdoctoral associates to study molecular mechanisms of gene regulation in the development of cardiovascular disease. A strong background in molecular and cellular biology is essential. Experience with primary cell culture and mouse model analysis is desirable. Recent PhDs in biomedical science are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to self-motivated and career-oriented candidates. Please send your CV and a summary of your research interests to Yabing Chen at ybchen@uab.edu.    
 

Selected Publications 
Publication PUBMEDID
Sun Y, Byon CH, Yuan K, Chen J, Mao X, Heath JM, Javed A, Zhang K, Anderson PG, Chen Y.
Smooth muscle cell-specific runx2 deficiency inhibits vascular calcification.
Circ Res. 2012 Aug 17;111(5):543-52. Epub 2012 Jul 6.
A top downloaded article in Circ Res journal in July 2012 		 22773442 
Mao X, Debenedittis P, Sun Y, Chen J, Yuan K, Jiao K, Chen Y.
Vascular smooth muscle cell smad4 gene is important for mouse vascular development.
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2012 Sep;32(9):2171-7. Epub 2012 Jul 5. 		 22772757 
Chen J, Yuan K, Mao X, Miano JM, Wu H, Chen Y.
Serum response factor regulates bone formation via IGF-1 and Runx2 signals.
J Bone Miner Res. 2012 Aug;27(8):1659-68. Epub 2012 Mar 20  		 22434656 
Byon CH, Sun Y, Chen J, Yuan K, Mao X, Heath JM, Anderson PG, Tintut Y, Demer LL, Wang D, Chen Y.
Runx2-Upregulated Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor {kappa}B Ligand in Calcifying Smooth Muscle Cells Promotes Migration and Osteoclastic Differentiation of Macrophages.
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2011 Jun;31(6):1387-96. Epub 2011 Mar 31
Published with accompanying editoral. 		 21454810  
Chen J, Sun Y, Mao X, Liu Q, Wu H, Chen Y.
RANKL up-regulates brain-type creatine kinase via poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 during osteoclastogenesis.
J Biol Chem. 2010 Nov 19;285(47):36315-21. Epub 2010 Sep 13.  		 20837480  
Pawar P, Ma L, Byon CH, Liu H, Ahn EY, Jhala N, Arnoletti JP, McDonald JM, Chen Y.
Molecular Mechanisms of Tamoxifen Therapy for Cholangiocarcinoma: Role of Calmodulin.
Clin Cancer Res. 2009;15(4):1288-1296. 		 19228732 
Byon CH, Javed A, Dai Q, Kappes JC, Clemens TL, Darley-Usmar VM, McDonald JM, Chen Y.
Oxidative stress induces vascular calcification through modulation of the osteogenic transcription factor Runx-2 by Akt signaling.
J Biol Chem. 2008;283(22):15319-27
A featured Article in vascualr biology, selected by NAVBO in 2008 		 18378684  
Chen Y, Wang X, Di L, Fu G, Chen Y, Bai L, Liu J, Feng X, McDonald JM, Michalek S, He Y, Yu M, Fu YX, Wen R, Wu H, Wang D
Phospholipase Cgamma 2 mediates RANKL-stimulated lymph-node organogenesis and osteoclastogenesis.
J Biol Chem. 2008; 283(43):29593-601. 		 18728019 
Chen Y*, Budd RC, Kelm RJ Jr, Sobel BE, Schneider DJ.
Augmentation of proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells by plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1.
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2006, 26(8):1777-83 		 16709941 
Chen Y, Billadello JJ, Schneider DJ.
Identification and localization of a fatty acid response region in the human plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene.
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2000, 20(12):2696-701. 		 11116074  
 

Keywords
vascular calcification, vascular osteoclasts, tumorigenesis and resistance

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