Wei Zou, MD, PhD

Associate Professor, Pathology & Immunology

Divisions

Anatomic and Molecular Pathology

Division: Anatomic & Molecular Pathology

Research Interests

I have more than two decades of extensive research experience in bone biology. My research initially focused on understanding the mechanisms by which inflammatory factors, such as LPS and TNF-α, regulate osteoclast differentiation. Subsequently, I dedicated significant effort and time to studying the role that integrins and cytoskeletal proteins play in osteoclast bone-resorbing activity.

In the past decade, I have incorporated the effects of metabolic syndrome on the skeleton into my research efforts, and I recently discovered that Axsl2 not only regulates osteoclastogenesis but also affects glucose and lipid homeostasis as a PPARγ co-activator. Consistent with recent evidence indicating that bone may be affected by the metabolic products of adipose tissue, our lab has established that marrow adipocytic lineage cells regulate the skeleton by expressing bone morphogenetic protein receptor inhibitors, and their depletion results in a rapid and significant increase in bone mass due to BMP activation. These findings have prompted my ongoing project exploring the role of adiponectin-expressing cells in the skeleton.

My current research interest also focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which inflammation regulates bone formation. Inflammation is typically associated with diminished skeletal mass; however, my recent observations challenge this notion, showing that systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide stimulates bone formation in long bones.

Selected Publications

WashU Medicine Profile

Assistant:
Jennifer Vollmer
314-454-8463
jvollmer@wustl.edu