Ying Wang, M.D., Ph.D.

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SUMMARY

Ying Wang, M.D., Ph.D., has long-standing research interests in the molecular mechanisms of vascular remodeling and heart failure. Specifically, Dr. Wang is interested in the roles of a cell membrane coreceptor of several structurally distinct ligands (neuropilin-1) — and its downstream components — in endothelial cell inflammatory response and vascular permeability. Dr. Wang routinely uses primary cell culture, transgenic zebrafish and mouse models in her studies.

Focus areas

• Molecular mechanism of endothelial cell dysfunction in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). HFpEF is a heart failure syndrome with no effective treatment. One of the hallmarks of HFpEF is widespread microvascular endothelial cell dysfunction, which potentially contributes to abnormal diastolic cardiac function and poor cardiac reserve. Dr. Wang uses transgenic rodent models to define the key mediators, including tissue-specific heterogeneity-related mechanisms, of endothelial cell dysfunction in HFpEF.
• High-throughput screening of novel anti-inflammatory compounds. Current anti-inflammatory therapies have shown to independently improve the outcome of both cardiovascular diseases and cancer, but these treatments usually come with high prices and side effects. In collaboration with Debabrata (Dev) Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D., Dr. Wang uses cell culture and zebrafish inflammation models to perform high-throughput screening of synthetic compounds to discover novel effective anti-inflammatory agents with fewer side effects.
• Molecular mechanism of vascular hyperpermeability. Vascular hyperpermeability potentially leads to interstitial edema and inflammation and is involved in many pathological conditions including cancer and retinal and cardiovascular diseases. In collaboration with Justin H. Nguyen, M.D., Dr. Wang studies the molecular mechanism of brain edema in acute liver failure and is developing novel methods to noninvasively monitor blood-brain barrier permeability in mouse models of liver failure.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Wang's studies address the clinical challenges of treating patients with heart failure and acute liver failure. Findings from Dr. Wang's studies provide insights for developing novel diagnostic tools and prophylaxis and therapeutic strategies for these patients.

Professional highlights

• Recipient, Career Development Award, American Heart Association, 2019-2022
• Recipient, Ted and Loretta Rogers Cardiovascular Career Development Award Honoring Hugh C. Smith, Mayo Clinic Alumni Association, 2019-2022
• Postdoctoral fellow, American Heart Association, 2014-2016
• Awarded, Kwang-Hua Scholarship, Peking University Health Science Center, 2008