Lab was set up in Sep. 2017 by Changgeng Peng to investigate the mechanism behind neuropathic pain and Parkinson’s disease, as well as to do translational research based on Changgeng Peng’s previous findings which include:
1）MicroRNA-183 cluster scales mechanical pain sensitivity under both basal and neuropathy condition through regulating 80% neuropathic regulatory gene network including CACNA2D1/2，the targets of widely used drug Gabapentin [Peng et al., Science 2017]. Prof. Barde, an expert in pain research field, published a “Perspective” about this work on the same issue of Science. 2) Neurotrophic factor BDNF controlled by transcriptional factor Pitx3 in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) is necessary for the survival of dopaminergic neurons in SNc during the development [left figure and Peng et al., J NeuroSci. 2011].
Education Background
2008.2- 2012.5 Ph.D., Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich / Technical University Munich, Germany.
2003.9-2006.6 M.S., Shanghai institutes for Biological Sciences,
Chinese Academy of Sciences.
1999.9-2003.6 B.S., Shanxi University.
Positions Held
2017.9-Present Principal Investigator, Advanced Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University.
2012.6-2017.6 Postdoctoral researcher, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute.
2006.7-2007.9 Research Assistant, Neurogenetics Lab, Shanghai institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
1） One of the main interests in my laboratory is to investigate the function of sensory neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and the molecular mechanism behind neuropathic pain on models of transgenic mouse and neuropathic pain surgery mouse, as well as primary DRG neuronal culture with technologies of molecular biology, bioinformatics and electrophysiology, and to screen pain inhibiting small oligonucleotides.
2） My lab is also interested in deciphering the genetic network for apoptosis of midbrain dopaminergic neurons and search for new biomarkers and method for early diagnosis of PD.
3） Additionally, we are curious about how microRNAs regulate individual adaptation to the changes of environment.
1. Peng C, Li L, Zhang M, Gonzales C, Parisien M, Belfer I, Usoskin D, Abdo H, Furlan A, Häring M, Lallemend F, Harkany T, Diatchenko L, Hökfelt T, Hjerling-Leffler J and Ernfors P. MicroRNA-183 cluster scales mechanical pain sensitivity by regulating basal and neuropathic pain genes. Science. 2017 Jun 16;356(6343):1168-1171. DOI:10.1126/science.aam7671（Highlighted by Prof. Barde on the same issue of Science, DOI:10.1126/science.aan6784）.
2. Peng C, Li N, Ng YK, Zhang J, Meier F, Theis FJ, Merkenschlager M, Chen W, Wurst W, Prakash N. A unilateral negative feedback loop between miR-200 microRNAs and Sox2/E2F3 controls neural progenitor cell-cycle exit and differentiation. J Neurosci. 2012 Sep 19;32(38):13292-308.
DOI:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2124-12.2012.
3. Peng C, Aron L, Klein R, Li M, Wurst W, Prakash N, and Le W. Pitx3 is a critical mediator of GDNF-induced BDNF expression in nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. J Neurosci. 2011 Sep;31, 12802-12815. DOI:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0898-11.2011.
4. Peng C, Fan S, Li X, Fan X, Ming M, Sun Z, Le W. Overexpression of pitx3 upregulates expression of BDNF and GDNF in SH-SY5Y cells and primary ventral mesencephalic cultures. FEBS Lett. 2007 Apr 3;581(7):1357-61. Epub 2007 Mar 2.
DOI:10.1016/j.febslet.2007.02.054.
5. Yang, D., Peng, C., Li, X., Fan, X., Li, L., Ming, M., Chen, S., and Le, W. Pitx3-transfected astrocytes secrete brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and protect dopamine neurons in mesencephalon cultures. J Neurosci Res.2008 Nov; 86(15), 3393-3400. DOI:10.1002/jnr.21774.
6. Li X, Peng C, Li L, Ming M, Yang D, Le W. Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor protects against proteasome inhibition-induced dopamine neuron degeneration by suppression of endoplasmic reticulum stress and caspase-3 activation. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2007 Sep;62(9):943-50. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/62.9.943.
7. Li X, Yang D, Li L, Peng C, Chen S, Le W. Proteasome inhibitor lactacystin disturbs the intracellular calcium homeostasis of dopamine neurons in ventral mesencephalic cultures. Neurochem Int. 2007 Jun;50(7-8):959-65. 10.1016/j.neuint.2007.04.014.
