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| Degrees |
1994-1996 —Postdoctoral fellow, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans 1989-1993 — PhD, Tulane University, New Orleans 1979-1983 — BS, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China |
| Research Interests |
Keywords:
My research programs focus on inflammation in physiology and diseases. Specifically, I am interested in lipid signaling in hippocampal synaptic transmission and plasticity. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme that converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandins, is a key player in neuroinflammation, which has been implicated in the pathogeneses of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases) and contributes to traumatic brain injury- and ischemia-induced neuronal damage. However, the mechanism underlying neuroinflammation-induced neurological disorders are largely unknown. To address the fundamental mechanisms of neuroinflammation in hippocampal synaptic function and neurodegeneration, we are employing several approaches, including electrophysiological patch clamp recordings, molecular biology techniques, immunostaining, optical imaging, mass spectrometry and neurotoxicity assays. Currently, we have three ongoing projects in my laboratory: 1) Decipher molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying COX-2-mediated physiological functions and pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease); 2) Determine the role COX-2 oxidative metabolism of endogenous cannabinoids in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and neurotoxicity; 3) Explore mechanisms of endogenous cannabinoids in synaptic activity and neuro-protection. Recently, we launched a new research project where we investigate the molecular mechanisms responsible for the marijuana-altered synaptic plasticity and cognition as well as tolerance to cannabis. The results generated from these projects will provide mechanistic bases for opening up new therapeutic interventions for treating, ameliorating or preventing neuroinflammation-induced neurodegenerative diseases and cannabis-related disorders. Cartoon illustrating COX-2 synthesized prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) as a retrograde messenger in synaptic signaling. |
| Teaching Activities |
2008-present: Associate Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Neuroscience Center, LSUHSC 2002-2008: Assistant Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Neuroscience Center, LSUHSC |
| Selected Publications |
Yang H, Zhang J, Breyer RM & Chen C: Altered hippocampal long-term synaptic plasticity in mice deficient in the PGE2 EP2 receptor. Journal of Neurochemistry 108:295-304, 2009. Zhang J & Chen C: Endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol protects neurons by limiting COX-2 elevation. Journal of Biological Chemistry 283:22601–22611, 2008. Yang H & Chen C: COX-2 in synaptic signaling. Current Pharmaceutical Design 14:1443-1451, 2008. (Invited and peer reviewed review article) Yang H, Zhang J, Andreasson K & Chen C: COX-2 oxidative metabolism of endocannabinoids augments hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 37:682-695, 2008. Sang N, Zhang J & Chen C: COX-2 oxidative metabolite of endocannabinoid 2-AG enhances excitatory glutamatergic synaptic transmission and induces neurotoxicity. Journal of Neurochemistry 102:1966-1977, 2007. Sang N & Chen C: Lipid signaling and synaptic plasticity. Neuroscientist 12:425-434, 2006. (Invited and peer reviewed review article) Sang N, Zhang J & Chen C: PGE2 glycerol ester, a COX-2 oxidative metabolite of 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, modulates inhibitory synaptic transmission in mouse hippocampal neurons. Journal of Physiology (Lond) 572:735-745, 2006. Sang N, Zhang J, Marcheselli V, Bazan, NG & Chen C: Postsynaptically synthesized prostaglandin E2 modulates hippocampal synaptic transmission via a presynaptic PGE2 EP2 receptor. Journal of Neuroscience 25:9858-9870, 2005. Chen C: β-Amyloid increases dendritic Ca2+ influx by inhibiting the A-type K+ current in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Biochemical Biophysical Research Communication 338:1913-1919, 2005. Gois SD, Schafer MK-H, Defamie N, Chen C, Ricci A, Weihe E, Varoqui H & Erickson JD: Homeostatic scaling of vesicular glutamate and GABA transporters expression in rat neocortical circuits. Journal of Neuroscience 25:7121-7133, 2005. Chen C & Bazan NG: Lipid signaling: Sleep, synaptic plasticity, and neuroprotection. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediators 77:65-76, 2005. (Invited and peer reviewed review article) Zhu P, Genc A, Zhang X, Zhang J, Bazan NG & Chen C: Heterogeneous expression and regulation of PGE2 receptors in the hippocampus. Journal of Neuroscience Research 81:817-826, 2005. Chen C & Bazan NG: Endogenous PGE2 regulates membrane excitability and synaptic transmission in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Journal of Neurophysiology 93:929-941, 2005. Chen C: ZD7288 inhibits postsynaptic glutamate receptor-mediated responses at hippocampal perforant path-granule cells synapses. European Journal of Neuroscience19:643-649, 2004. McDermott CM, LaHoste GL, Chen C, Musto A, Bazan NG & Magee JC: Sleep deprivation causes behavioral, synaptic and membrane excitability alterations in hippocampal neurons. Journal of Neuroscience 23:9687-9695, 2003. Chen C, Magee JC & Bazan NG: Cyclooxygenase-2 regulates prostaglandin E2 signaling in hippocampal long-term synaptic plasticity. Journal of Neurophysiology 87:2851-2857, 2002. Rodriguez de Turco EBR, Tang W, Topham MK, Sakane F, Marcheselli VL, Chen C, Taketomi A, Prescott S and Bazan NG: Diacylglcerol kinase epsilon regulates suizure susceptibility and long-term potentiation through arachidonoyl-inositol lipid signaling. Proceedings of the National Academy Sciences USA 98:4740-4745, 2001. Chen C, Magee JC, Marcheselli V, Hardy M and Bazan NG: Attenuated long-term potentiation in hippocampal dentate gyrus neurons of mice deficient in the PAF receptor. Journal of Neurophysiology 85:384-390, 2001. |
| Additional Info |
Current Funding Source: Alzheimer’s Association IIRG-05-13580 |
