Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center

University of Missouri

Zhongkui Hong, Ph.D.

Research Interests

Biomechanics in atherosclerosis; Vascular tissue engineering; Computational methods development for biomedical image and signal processing; Cell spreading and migration on 2D and in 3D gel substrate.

Research Description

My primary research interest focuses on cellular biomechanics in cardiovascular disease. Currently, I am studying alterations in the biomechanics of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) during the progression of atherosclerosis, one of the leading causes of global death and increasing in incidence western dietary influences. Adhesion, migration, and phenotypic shifting of VSMC play key roles during the plague formation in atherosclerosis. The phenotypic switching in VSMC is accompanied by differential expression of adhesion molecules such as integrins and cadherins responsible for cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell-cell adhesion, respectively.  Subsequently, these changes in protein expression contribute to and regulate VSMC contractile properties and migration. It is known that cholesterol is a major factor involved in fatty deposition in the atherosclerotic lesion, but little is known about how the cholesterol directly affects the biomechanics of VSMC and cellular responses to the chemical and physical stimuli during the development of atherosclerosis. Our studies focus on the effect of cholesterol on VSMC. We are investigating how cholesterol alters VSMC functional characteristics such as, the interactions of VSMC with the ECM and VSMC migratory activity within the context of a 2D or 3D environment as experienced in the vascular wall. This is critical to improving our understanding of atherosclerosis and its underlying mechanisms.

The ultimate goal of our research is to provide new insights into the physiology and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system. The research is designed to help with providing valuable clues contributing to cardiovascular disease. A unique element of our research relates to focusing on mechanisms that underlie changes in VSMC stiffness and adhesion, thereby, contributing to changes in vascular wall stiffness, which is known to track with cardiovascular disease. Our long-term goal is to identify and develop novel treatment strategies.

Methodology:

Integrated fluorescence confocal microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) systems for monitoring the cell mechanical properties, adhesion, and cytoskeletal remodeling.

Professional Background

Education:

Obtained BS in Chemical Engineering, Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, China

Obtained MS in Materials Science, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China

Obtained PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Completed PostDoctoral training in Biophysics and Physiology, University of Missouri-Columbia

Professional employment:

1991-1999, Engineering Scientist, Research institute of Jilin chemical technology, Jilin, China

2001-2002, Engineering Scientist, Research institute of Jilin chemical technology, PetroChina Company Ltd. Jilin, China

2005-2006, Research associate, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese academy of sciences, Changchun, China

2012-2014, Research Scientist, Dalton Cardiovascular Reserach Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

2014-Present, Assistant Research Professor, Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, The Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

Selected Publications

1. Hong Zhongkui, K.J. Reeves, Z. Sun, Z. Li, N.J. Brown, and G.A. Meininger. Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Stiffness and Adhesion to Collagen I Modified by Vasoactive Agonists. PLoS ONE, 2015;10(3):e0119533.
2. Sehgel Nancy L, Z. Sun, Z. Hong, S.P. Bishop, W.C. Hunter, M.A. Hill, D.E. Vatner, S.F. Vatner, G.A. Meininger. Augmented vascular smooth muscle cell stiffness and extracellular matrix adhesion when hypertension is superimposed on aging. Hypertension, 2015;65(2):370-7.
3. Staiculescu Marius C., F.I. Ramirez-Perez, J.A. Castorena-Gonzalez, Z. Hong, Z. Sun, G.A. Meininger, L.A. Martinez-Lemus. Lysophosphatidic acid induces integrin activation in vascular smooth muscle and alters arteriolar myogenic vasoconstriction. Frontiers in Physiology, 2014;5(413):1-12.
4. Hong Zhongkui, Z. Sun, M. Li, Z. Li, F. Bunyak, I. Ersoy, J.P. Trzeciakowski, M.C. Staiculescu, M. Jin, L. Martinez-Lemus, M.A. Hill, K. Palaniappan, and G.A. Meininger. Vasoactive agonists exert dynamic and coordinated effects on vascular smooth muscle cell elasticity, cytoskeletal remodeling and adhesion. The Journal of Physiology, 2014; 592(6): 1249–1266*Featured as journal cover and highlighted by an editorial commentary.
5. Sehgel Nancy L., Y. Zhu, Z. Sun, J.P. Trzeciakowski, Z. Hong, W.C. Hunter, D.E. Vatner, G.A. Meininger, and S.F. Vatner. Increased vascular smooth muscle cell stiffness: a novel mechanism for aortic stiffness in hypertension. American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology 2013; 305: H1281-7.
6. Hong Zhongkui, I. Ersoy, M. Sun, F. Bunyak, P. Hampel, Z. Hong, Z. Sun, Z. Li, I. Levitan, G.A. Meininger, and K. Palaniappan. Influence of Membrane Cholesterol and Substrate Elasticity on Endothelial Cell Spreading Behavior.Journal of Biomedical Materials Research A 2013; 101A: 1994–2004.
7. Hong Zhongkui, Z. Sun, Z. Li, W.-T. Mesquitta, J.P. Trzeciakowski, and G.A. Meininger. Coordination of Fibronectin Adhesion with Contraction and Relaxation in Microvascular Smooth Muscle. Cardiovascular Research 2012; 96(1): 73-80. *Highlighted by an editorial commentary.
8. Hong Zhongkui, M.C. Staiculescu, P. Hampel, I. Levitan, G. Forgacs. How cholesterol regulates endothelial biomechanics. Frontiers in Physiology 2012;  3: 426 *Highlighted by an editorial commentary.
9. Zhu Yi, H. Qiu, J.P. Trzeciakowski, Z. Sun, Z. Li, Z. Hong, M.A. Hill, W.C. Hunter, D.E. Vatner, S. F. Vatner, G.A. Meininger Temporal analysis of vascular smooth muscle cell elasticity and adhesion reveals oscillation waveforms that differ with aging. Aging Cell 2012; 11(5): 741-750.
10. Zhang Peibiao, H. Wu, H. Wu, Z. Lu, C. Deng, Z. Hong, X. Jing, and X. Chen. RGD-Conjugated Copolymer Incorporated into Composite of Poly(lactide-co-glycotide) and Poly(l-lactide)-Grafted Nanohydroxyapatite for Bone Tissue Engineering. Biomacromolecules 2011; 12(7): 2667–2680.