Associate Professor
Phone: 501-603-1081
Fax: 501-686-8970
Email: SMu@uams.edu
Education
- M.D. – TianJin Medical University, TianJin, China, 2004
- Ph.D. – The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, 2011
Research Interests
The primary interest of my research has been focusing on the pathogenesis of hypertension and subsequent heart failure. The long-term goal of our laboratory is to understand the mechanisms of the development of hypertension and to translate our basic scientific discovery to clinics to contribute to a final cure for hypertension. To accomplish this goal, we have conducted multiple screenings to identify potential pathogenic targets in hypertension. Extending from our initial screen, we are performing laboratory experiments using both pharmacological and genetic approaches to determine the role of the identified molecules in the development of hypertension. Our most recent project is investigating the role and molecular mechanisms of immune cells in stimulating sodium retention in kidney, which contributes to the pathogenesis of salt-sensitivity in hypertension. In addition, we have acquired techniques and research experience involved in most areas of physiology, biology, molecular genetics, epigenetics, histology and vascular biology that are needed to pursue our goal of translational medicine.
Recent Research Support
Current Research
- R01, HL146713-01, NIH / NHLBI, (PI) (04/01/2019-03/31/2024)
“T cell homing to the kidney contributes to salt retention and blood pressure regulation” - Bronson Foundation Grant (PI) (1/2022 – 12/2022) “Mechanism of Lymphatic Contractile Dysfunction in Hypertension”
- VCRI Equipment grant. (PI) (6/2022 – 6/2023) “Protein simple western system (Jess) for protein analysis”
- Sturgis Foundation Grant, (Co-PI) (1/2021 – 12/2022) “Macrophage metabolism as the missing link between diabetes and tuberculosis”
- P20, GM109005-06, NIH / NIGMS, (Co-I) (8/2020 – 3/2027) “Mechanism by which doxorubicin contributes to lymphedema and potential therapy”
- R01, HL162958, NIH / NHLBI, (Co-I) (Impact of hemodynamics on efferocytosis in endothelial cells)
- 2021AHA000PRE0000216213, AHA, (Sponsor & Mentor), (1/2023 – 12/2024) “Inappropriate activation of CD8+ T cells contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension”
Completed Research
- Medical Research Endowment Awards, (PI) (2019-2020) “Role of renal lymph-angiogenesis in salt-sensitive hypertension”
- UAMS COM Equipment Award, (PI) (2018-2019) “Evaluating cardiac function in multiple animal models using PV-loop method”
- AHA 15BGIA25730047, (PI) (2015-2017) “Role of immune cells in kidney in the development of salt-sensitive hypertension”
- Sturgis Family Charitable Trust Grant, (Co-I), (2017-2018) “Targeting of TRPC3 channels to normalize vascular tone”
Mu Lab Team
- Yunmeng Liu, Ph.D., Staff Scientist
- Lance Benson, B.S., Ph.D. candidate
- Christoph Mora, B.S., Ph.D. pre-candidate
- Kathrine Deck , B.S., Ph.D. pre-candidate
- Yunping Guo, M.S., Technician
Mentee (Ph.D. students) Awards:
- 2022, Lance Benson, AHA Pre-doctoral fellowship
- 2022, Katherine Deck, T32 Pharmacological Sciences Predoctoral Training Fellowship
- 2022, Lance Benson, International society of Hypertension (ISH) Young Investigator Award for Basic Science
- 2022, Lance Benson, American Heart Association (AHA) Trainee Advocacy Hypertension Early Career Awards.
- 2022, Lance Benson, American Physiological Society (APS) pre-doctoral excellence in renal research award, First place.
- 2020, Lance Benson, Dr. Glenn and Lori Millner Distinguished Scholar Award
- 2020, Lance Benson, T32 Pharmacological Sciences Predoctoral Training Fellowship
- 2019, Brittney Garner, American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) Washington Fellow
- 2019, Brittney Garner, ASPET Travel Award to Experimental Biology (EB)
Yunmeng Liu, Ph.D.
Mu Lab
Ph.D., New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, 2013
Dr. Liu is a member of the Rusch Lab. She has many years of experience in molecular biology & physiology. Her research interest focuses on the molecular mechanism of pathogenesis of hypertension, in particular, salt-sensitive hypertension. Dr. Liu’s current working project involves collaboration with Dr. Mu, exploring the role of immune cells in impairing sodium-handling in the kidney, which leads to salt-retention and the development of salt-sensitive hypertension. Their work has recently been awarded by the American Heart Association.
Dr. Liu is a member of the Rusch Lab. She has many years of experience in molecular biology & physiology. Her research interest focuses on the molecular mechanism of pathogenesis of hypertension, in particular, salt-sensitive hypertension. Dr. Liu’s current working project involves collaboration with Dr. Mu, exploring the role of immune cells in impairing sodium-handling in the kidney, which leads to salt-retention and the development of salt-sensitive hypertension. Their work has recently been awarded by the American Heart Association.
Publications
- Ding Z, Wang X, Liu S, Zhou S, Kore R, Mu S, Deng X, Fan Y, Mehta JL, NLRP3 inflammasome via IL-1β regulates PCSK9 secretion. Theranostics. 2020; 10(16): 7100-7110
- Dai L, Chen J, Lin Z, Wang Z, Mu S, Qin Z, Targeting Sphingosine Kinase by ABC294640 against Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). Journal of Cancer. 2020; 11(16): 4683-4691.
- Cozart MA, Phelan KD, Wu H, Mu S, Birnbaumer L, Rusch NJ, Zheng F. Vascular smooth muscle TRPC3 channels facilitate the inverse hemodynamic response during status epilepticus. Sci Rep. 2020; 10(1): 812. PMID: 31964991
- Liu S, Deng X, Zhang P, Wang X, Fan Y, Zhou S, Mu S, Mehta JL, Ding Z. Blood flow patterns regulate PCSK9 secretion via MyD88 mediated proinflammatory cytokines. Cardiovasc Res. 2019 Oct 8. pii: cvz262. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 31593224
- Zheng F, Mu S, Rusch NJ.. Leptin Activates Trpm7 Channels in the Carotid Body As a Mechanism of Obesity-Related Hypertension. Circ Res. 2019; 125(11): 1003-1005. PMID: 31697634
- Mu S, Fantegrossi WE, Rusch NJ. Cocaine-Responsive miRNA and Blood Pressure Elevation. Hypertension. 71(4):561-562, 2018. PMID: 29483229
- Sims CR, Singh SP, Mu S, Gokden N, Zakaria D, Nguyen TC and Mayeux PR. Rolipram Improves Outcome in a Rat Model of Infant Sepsis-Induced Cardiorenal Syndrome. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 8: 237; 2017. PMID: 28515693
- Liu Y, Rafferty T, Rhee S, Webber J, Song L, Ko B, Hoover R, He B, Mu S. CD8+ T cells stimulate Na-Cl co-transporter NCC in distal convoluted tubules leading to salt-sensitive hypertension. Nat. Commun. 8, 10437; 2017. PMID: 28067240
- Uetake Y, Ikeda H, Irie R, Tejima K, Matsui H, Ogura S, Wang H, Mu S, Hirohama D, Ando K, Sawamura T, Yatomi Y, Fujita T, Shimosawa T. High-salt in addition to high-fat diet may enhance inflammation and fibrosis in liver steatosis induced by oxidative stress and dyslipidemia in mice. Lipids Health Dis. 14:6, 2014. PMID: 25888871
- Jimbo R, Kawakami-Mori F, Mu S, Hirohama D, Majtan B, Shimizu Y, Yatomi Y, Fukumoto S, Fujita T, Shimosawa T. Fibroblast growth factor 23 accelerates phosphate-induced vascular calcification in the absence of Klotho deficiency. Kidney Int. 85(5): 1103-11, 2013. PMID: 24088960
- Ogura S, Shimosawa T, Mu S, Sonobe T, Kawakami-Mori F, Wang H, Uetake Y, Yoshida K, Yatomi Y, Shirai M, Fujita T. Oxidative stress augments pulmonary hypertension in chronically hypoxic mice overexpressing the oxidized LDL receptor. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 305(2):H155-62, 2013. PMID: 23686713
- Mori-Kawakami F, Shimosawa T, Wang H, Ogura S, Mu S, Yatomi Y, Fujita T. NADPH oxidase-mediated Rac1 GTP activity is necessary for non-genomic actions of the mineralocorticoid receptor in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus. Am J Physiol Endoc Metab. 302(4): E425-32, 2012. PMID: 22114025
- Shimosawa T, Mu S, Shibata S, Fujita T. The Kidney and Hypertension: Pathogenesis of Salt-Sensitive Hypertension. Curr Hypertens Rep. 14(5): 468-472, 2012. PMID: 22752520
- Shibata S*, Mu S*, Kawarazaki H*, Muraoka K, Ishizawa K, Yoshida S, Kawarazaki W, Takeuchi M, Ayusawa N, Miyoshi J, Takai Y, Ishikawa A, Shimosawa T, Ando K, Nagase M, Fujita T. (*equal contributor) Rac1 GTPase in rodent kidneys is essential for salt-sensitive hypertension via a mineralocorticoid receptor-dependent pathway. J Clin Invest. 121 (8):3233-3243, 2011. PMID: 21765214
- Mu S, Shimosawa T, Ogura S, Wang H, Uetake Y, Kawakami-Mori F, Marumo T, Yatomi Y, Geller DS, Tanaka H, Fujita T. Epigenetic modulation of the renal b-adrenergic-WNK4 pathway in salt-sensitive hypertension. Nat Med. 17(5):573–580, 2011. PMID: 21499270