The Dong Lab - Create. Innovate. Discover.
Who We Are
We are an interdisciplinary research group at IMMCG, Augusta University, dedicated to uncovering the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving human vascular diseases. Through collaboration and innovation, we aim to better understand the pathogenic mechanisms underlying these diseases, with the hope that our findings will contribute to the development of novel therapies. We welcome students, postdocs, and collaborators who share our enthusiasm for exploring the complexities of vascular diseases.
Jump to: About Dr. DongWhat We StudyResearch TeamCurrent Research InterestsPublications
About Dr. Dong
Kunzhe Dong, PhD
Assistant Professor
Immunology Center of Georgia
Kunzhe Dong has identified and explored an important RNA molecule, called CARMN, that is abundant in healthy smooth muscle cells.
Muscle cells form the lining of blood vessels; when healthy, they ensure the vessels are strong and flexible. But low levels of the molecule CARMN, Dong discovered, could lead to the muscle cells becoming unhealthy, likely increasing the risk of blocked or bulging blood vessels.
Part of Dong’s expertise centers on discovering important molecules associated with blood vessel disease by digging into large-scale sequencing datasets — and developing new ways to fight the disease. CARMN is one of those molecules, and to identify it in healthy people, Dong and colleagues used bioinformatics to analyze multi-dimensional datasets of RNA sequencing.
In experiments on mice, Dong also found that when CARMN was removed from smooth muscle cells, arteries became damaged and susceptible to injury. The CARMN molecule could also hold the key to treating vascular wall disease with very limited side effects.
The molecule is mostly limited to healthy smooth muscle cells, so altering the levels of it would not have side effects on other cells. Dong’s work was published in a 2021 paper, and he continues to explore other important molecules that control the function of smooth muscle cells and immune cells.
He also investigates cell-to-cell interactions between smooth muscle cells and immune cells in vascular diseases.
What We Study
Our lab identifies molecular and genetic factors that contribute to vascular diseases and investigates how they drive the development of conditions such as atherosclerosis and aneurysms.
Research Team
Yali Yao, MS
- Research Associate
Yingbing Zuo, MD
- Research Associate
Current Research Interests
The Dong lab investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving the development of human vascular diseases, with a primary focus on atherosclerosis and aneurysm. Using a combination of genomics, genetics, cellular and molecular biology, advanced mouse genetics, and disease.
- The role of novel long non-coding RNAs in vascular cells and their involvement in vascular diseases.
- Cellular crosstalk between vascular smooth muscle cells and immune cells in disease progression.
- How GWAS-identified genomic risk loci influence cellular function and vascular disease development.
Publications
| Publication |
|---|
MAPK14 converges on key transcriptional machinery to promote vascular smooth muscle cell degeneration in abdominal aortic aneurysmWu, X., Wang, C., Ishimwe, N., Zhang, W., Doja, J., Shan, S., Ge, C., Sun, Y., Zhao, J., Castillo, M., Sotonyi, P., Gyurok, G., Csanyi, G., Bryant, W. B., Dong, K., Chen, Y., Vazquez-Padron, R., Miano, J. M. & Long, X., Dec 2026, In: Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy. 11, 1, 17.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Integrative and comparative analysis of whole-transcriptome sequencing in circCOL1A1-knockdown and circCOL1A1-overexpressing goat hair follicle stem cellsWang, J., Wu, X., Zhang, L., Sun, X., Sun, W., Dong, K. & Li, Y., Jun 2025, In: Animal Bioscience. 38, 6, p. 1116-1139 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Generation of a novel constitutive smooth muscle cell-specific Myh11-driven Cre mouse modelDong, K., Bai, Z., He, X., Zhang, L., Hu, G., Yao, Y., Cai, C. L. & Zhou, J., May 2025, In: Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology. 202, p. 144-152 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Functional characterization of human IL-8 in vascular stenosis using a novel humanized transgenic mouse modelZhang, W., Pan, L., Wu, X., Slivano, O. J., Dong, K. & Long, X., Dec 2024, In: Vascular Pharmacology. 157, 107438.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
PDZ-Binding Kinase, a Novel Regulator of Vascular Remodeling in Pulmonary Arterial HypertensionBordan, Z., Batori, R. K., Haigh, S., Li, X., Meadows, M. L., Brown, Z. L., West, M. A., Dong, K., Han, W., Su, Y., Ma, Q., Huo, Y., Zhou, J., Abdelbary, M., Sullivan, J. C., Weintraub, N. L., Stepp, D. W., Chen, F., Barman, S. A. & Fulton, D. J. R., Jul 30 2024, In: Circulation. 150, 5, p. 393-410 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
A novel mouse model carrying a gene trap insertion into the Hmgxb4 gene locus to examine Hmgxb4 expression in vivoWang, L., He, X., Hu, G., Liu, J., Kang, X., Yu, L., Dong, K., Zhao, J., Zhang, A., Zhang, W., Brands, M. W., Su, H., Zheng, Z. & Zhou, J., Apr 2024, In: Physiological reports. 12, 8, e16014.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Epigenetic Factor MicroRNAs Likely Mediate Vaccine Protection Efficacy against Lymphomas in Response to Tumor Virus Infection in Chickens through Target Gene Involved Signaling PathwaysZhang, L., Xie, Q., Chang, S., Ai, Y., Dong, K. & Zhang, H., Apr 2024, In: Veterinary Sciences. 11, 4, 139.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Blockade of endothelial adenosine receptor 2A suppresses atherosclerosis in vivo through inhibiting CREB-ALK5-mediated endothelial to mesenchymal transitionCai, Y., Zhou, Y., Yang, Q., Xu, J., Da, Q., Ma, Q., Zhao, D., Lu, T., Kim, H. W., Fulton, D., Jiang, X., Weintraub, N. L., Dong, K., Xu, S., Hong, M., Liu, Z. & Huo, Y., Mar 22 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Pharmacological Research. p. 107156Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
The Long Noncoding RNA Cardiac Mesoderm Enhancer-Associated Noncoding RNA (Carmn) Is a Critical Regulator of Gastrointestinal Smooth Muscle Contractile Function and MotilityHe, X., Dong, K., Shen, J., Hu, G., Mintz, J. D., Atawia, R. T., Zhao, J., Chen, X., Caldwell, R. W., Xiang, M., Stepp, D. W., Fulton, D. J. & Zhou, J., Jul 2023, In: Gastroenterology. 165, 1, p. 71-87 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
BESST: A novel LncRNA knockout strategy with less genome perturbanceZhang, S., Chen, Y., Dong, K., Zhao, Y., Wang, Y., Wang, S., Qu, C., Xu, N., Xie, W., Zeng, C., Lyu, Q. R. & Zhang, Y., May 22 2023, In: Nucleic Acids Research. 51, 9, p. E49Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Small RNA deep sequencing revealed microRNAs’ involvement in modulating cellular senescence and immortalization stateZhu, C., Zhang, L., Heidari, M., Sun, S., Chang, S., Xie, Q., Ai, Y., Dong, K. & Zhang, H., Mar 2023, In: Poultry Science. 102, 3, 102474.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Neddylation is required for perinatal cardiac development through stimulation of metabolic maturationZou, J., Wang, W., Lu, Y., Ayala, J., Dong, K., Zhou, H., Wang, J., Chen, W., Weintraub, N. L., Zhou, J., Li, J. & Su, H., Jan 31 2023, In: Cell Reports. 42, 1, 112018.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Hepatic neddylation deficiency triggers fatal liver injury via inducing NF-κB-inducing kinase in miceXu, C., Zhou, H., Jin, Y., Sahay, K., Robicsek, A., Liu, Y., Dong, K., Zhou, J., Barrett, A., Su, H. & Chen, W., Dec 2022, In: Nature communications. 13, 1, 7782.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Receptor-independent fluid-phase macropinocytosis promotes arterial foam cell formation and atherosclerosisLin, H. P., Singla, B., Ahn, W. M., Ghoshal, P., Blahove, M., Cherian-Shaw, M., Chen, A., Haller, A., Hui, D. Y., Dong, K., Zhou, J., White, J., Stranahan, A. M., Jasztal, A., Lucas, R., Stansfield, B. K., Fulton, D., Chlopicki, S. & Csányi, G., Sep 21 2022, In: Science Translational Medicine. 14, 663, add2376.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Sex-specific extracellular matrix remodeling during early adipogenic differentiation by gestational bisphenol A exposurePu, Y., Ticiani, E., Waye, A. A., Dong, K., Zhang, H. & Veiga-Lopez, A., Sep 2022, In: Chemosphere. 302, 134806.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
A comprehensive analysis of avian lymphoid leukosis-like lymphoma transcriptomes including identification of LncRNAs and the expression profilesDong, K., Heidari, M., Mays, J., Chang, S., Xie, Q., Zhang, L., Ai, Y. & Zhang, H., Aug 2022, In: PloS one. 17, 8 August, e0272557.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
CARMN Is an Evolutionarily Conserved Smooth Muscle Cell-Specific LncRNA That Maintains Contractile Phenotype by Binding MyocardinDong, K., Shen, J., He, X., Hu, G., Wang, L., Osman, I., Bunting, K. M., Dixon-Melvin, R., Zheng, Z., Xin, H., Xiang, M., Vazdarjanova, A., Fulton, D. J. R. & Zhou, J., Dec 7 2021, In: Circulation. 144, 23, p. 1856-1875 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
TEAD1 protects against necroptosis in postmitotic cardiomyocytes through regulation of nuclear DNA-encoded mitochondrial genesLiu, J., Wen, T., Dong, K., He, X., Zhou, H., Shen, J., Fu, Z., Hu, G., Ma, W., Li, J., Wang, W., Wang, L., Akerberg, B. N., Xu, J., Osman, I., Zheng, Z., Wang, W., Du, Q., Pu, W. T. & Xiang, M. & 4 others, , Jul 2021, In: Cell Death and Differentiation. 28, 7, p. 2045-2059 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
YAP1/TEAD1 upregulate platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta to promote vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and neointima formationOsman, I., Dong, K., Kang, X., Yu, L., Xu, F., Ahmed, A. S. I., He, X., Shen, J., Hu, G., Zhang, W. & Zhou, J., Jul 2021, In: Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology. 156, p. 20-32 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
The miR-378/PGC1β/mTOR axis as an alternative mechanism to promote autophagy during adipogenesisLyu, Q. R., Huang, N., Dong, K., Xie, W., He, J., Xu, N. & Zhang, Y., Jun 2021, In: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids. 1866, 6, 158921.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Deficiency of the novel high mobility group protein HMGXB4 protects against systemic inflammation-induced endotoxemia in miceHe, X., Dong, K., Shen, J., Hu, G., Liu, J., Kang, X., Wang, L., Atawia, R. T., Osman, I., Caldwell, R. W., Xiang, M., Zhang, W., Zheng, Z., Li, L., Fulton, D. J. R., Deng, K., Xin, H. & Zhou, J., Feb 16 2021, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 118, 7, e2021862118.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Novel Myh11 Dual Reporter Mouse Model Provides Definitive Labeling and Identification of Smooth Muscle Cells - Brief ReportRuan, J., Zhang, L., Hu, D., Qu, X., Yang, F., Chen, F., He, X., Shen, J., Dong, K., Sweet, M., Sanchez, C., Li, D., Shou, W., Zhou, J. & Cai, C. L., Feb 1 2021, In: Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology. 41, 2, p. 815-821 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Genomic analysis of worldwide sheep breeds reveals PDGFD as a major target of fat-tail selection in sheepDong, K., Yang, M., Han, J., Ma, Q., Han, J., Song, Z., Luosang, C., Gorkhali, N. A., Yang, B., He, X., Ma, Y. & Jiang, L., Dec 2020, In: BMC Genomics. 21, 1, 800.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Genomic analysis of circular RNAs in heartDong, K., He, X., Su, H., Fulton, D. J. R. & Zhou, J., Dec 1 2020, In: BMC Medical Genomics. 13, 1, 167.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
LOTUS domain is a novel class of G-rich and G-quadruplex RNA binding domainDing, D., Wei, C., Dong, K., Liu, J., Stanton, A., Xu, C., Min, J., Hu, J. & Chen, C., Sep 18 2020, In: Nucleic Acids Research. 48, 16, p. 9262-9272 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Convergent genomic signatures of high-Altitude adaptation among domestic mammalsWu, D. D., Yang, C. P., Wang, M. S., Dong, K. Z., Yan, D. W., Hao, Z. Q., Fan, S. Q., Chu, S. Z., Shen, Q. S., Jiang, L. P., Li, Y., Zeng, L., Liu, H. Q., Xie, H. B., Ma, Y. F., Kong, X. Y., Yang, S. L., Dong, X. X., Esmailizadeh, A. & Irwin, D. M. & 10 others, , Jun 1 2020, In: National Science Review. 7, 6, p. 952-963 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Marek's disease vaccines-induced differential expression of known and novel microRNAs in primary lymphoid organ bursae of White LeghornZhang, L., Zhu, C., Heidari, M., Dong, K., Chang, S., Xie, Q. & Zhang, H., Feb 24 2020, In: Veterinary Research. 51, 1, 19.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
A reference map of murine cardiac transcription factor chromatin occupancy identifies dynamic and conserved enhancersAkerberg, B. N., Gu, F., VanDusen, N. J., Zhang, X., Dong, R., Li, K., Zhang, B., Zhou, B., Sethi, I., Ma, Q., Wasson, L., Wen, T., Liu, J., Dong, K., Conlon, F. L., Zhou, J., Yuan, G. C., Zhou, P. & Pu, W. T., Dec 1 2019, In: Nature communications. 10, 1, 4907.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Endogenous avian leukosis virus in combination with serotype 2 Marek's disease virus significantly boosted the incidence of lymphoid leukosis-like bursal lymphomas in susceptible chickensMays, J. K., Black-Pyrkosz, A., Mansour, T., Schutte, B. C., Chang, S., Dong, K., Hunt, H. D., Fadly, A. M., Zhang, L. & Zhang, H., Dec 1 2019, In: Journal of Virology. 9, 23, e00861-19.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
RNA Sequencing revealed differentially expressed genes functionally associated with immunity and tumor suppression during latent phase infection of a vv + MDV in chickensDong, K., Chang, S., Xie, Q., Zhao, P. & Zhang, H., Dec 1 2019, In: Scientific reports. 9, 1, 14182.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Mitochondrial membrane-based initial separation of MIWI and MILI functions during pachytene piRNA biogenesisDing, D., Liu, J., Dong, K., Melnick, A. F., Latham, K. E. & Chen, C., Mar 18 2019, In: Nucleic Acids Research. 47, 5, p. 2594-2608 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
TDRD5 binds piRNA precursors and selectively enhances pachytene piRNA processing in miceDing, D., Liu, J., Midic, U., Wu, Y., Dong, K., Melnick, A., Latham, K. E. & Chen, C., Dec 1 2018, In: Nature communications. 9, 1, 127.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Skin transcriptome reveals the intrinsic molecular mechanisms underlying hair follicle cycling in Cashmere goats under natural and shortened photoperiod conditionsYang, M., Song, S., Dong, K., Chen, X., Liu, X., Rouzi, M., Zhao, Q., He, X., Pu, Y., Guan, W., Ma, Y. & Jiang, L., Dec 1 2017, In: Scientific reports. 7, 1, 13502.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
PNLDC1 is essential for piRNA 3′ end trimming and transposon silencing during spermatogenesis in miceDing, D., Liu, J., Dong, K., Midic, U., Hess, R. A., Xie, H., Demireva, E. Y. & Chen, C., Dec 1 2017, In: Nature communications. 8, 1, 819.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
High occurrence of length heteroplasmy in domestic Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus)He, X., Chen, X., Zhang, W., Pu, Y., Song, S., Han, J., Dong, K., Zhao, Q., Guan, W., Ma, Y. & Jiang, L., Nov 2 2017, In: Mitochondrial DNA Part A: DNA Mapping, Sequencing, and Analysis. 28, 6, p. 851-854 4 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Identification of positive selection signatures in pigs by comparing linkage disequilibrium variancesLi, X., Yang, S., Dong, K., Tang, Z., Li, K., Fan, B., Wang, Z. & Liu, B., Oct 2017, In: Animal Genetics. 48, 5, p. 600-605 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Comparative transcriptomics of genetically divergent lines of chickens in response to Marek's disease virus challenge at cytolytic phaseDong, K., Chang, S., Xie, Q., Black-Pyrkosz, A. & Zhang, H., Jun 2017, In: PloS one. 12, 6, e0178923.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Identification of copy number variations in three Chinese horse breeds using 70K single nucleotide polymorphism BeadChip arrayKader, A., Liu, X., Dong, K., Song, S., Pan, J., Yang, M., Chen, X., He, X., Jiang, L. & Ma, Y., Oct 1 2016, In: Animal Genetics. 47, 5, p. 560-569 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Genomic analysis identified a potential novel molecular mechanism for high-altitude adaptation in sheep at the HimalayasGorkhali, N. A., Dong, K., Yang, M., Song, S., Kader, A., Shrestha, B. S., He, X., Zhao, Q., Pu, Y., Li, X., Kijas, J., Guan, W., Han, J., Jiang, L. & Ma, Y., Jul 22 2016, In: Scientific reports. 6, 29963.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Exome sequencing reveals genetic differentiation due to high-altitude adaptation in the Tibetan cashmere goat (Capra hircus)Song, S., Yao, N., Yang, M., Liu, X., Dong, K., Zhao, Q., Pu, Y., He, X., Guan, W., Yang, N., Ma, Y. & Jiang, L., Feb 18 2016, In: BMC Genomics. 17, 1, 122.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |