HanTing "Hunter" Zhang, MD, PhD

https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/neuroscience/faculty-labs/hanting-zhang-md-phd/

Associate Professor
Researcher

Organization:

West Virginia University School of Medicine

Department:

Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry

Classification:

Faculty

[2020]

• Wang H, Huang Y, Zhang HT. Alzheimer disease: do gender, cancer, and diet matter? Chin J Pharmacol Toxicol, 2020, 34(1):1-6
• Huang Y, Huang W, Huang Y, Song P, Zhang M, Zhang HT, Pan S, Hu Y. Cdk5 Inhibitory Peptide Prevents Loss of Neurons and Alleviates Behavioral Changes in p25 Transgenic Mice. J Alzheimers Dis. 2020 Mar 5. doi: 10.3233/JAD-191098. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 32144987
• Xu L, Xu XY, Hou XQ*, Wang FG, Gao S, Zhang HT*. Adjuvant therapy with Astragalus membranaceus for post-stroke fatigue: a systematic review. Metab Brain Dis. 2020 Jan;35(1):83-9. PMID: 31440984. (review)

[2019]

• Pan L, Yin Y, Chen J, Ma Z, Chen Y, Deng X, Zhang HT, Leng H, Wu K. Homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate levels in patients with multiple sclerosis in Chinese population: A case-control study and meta-analysis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Sep 10;36:101395. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 31521916.
• Gao Y, Yan Y, Fang Q, Zhang N, Kumar G, Zhang J, Song LJ, Yu J, Zhao L, Zhang HT,* Ma CG*. The Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil attenuates Aβ1-42 induced apoptosis via the ASK1/JNK signal pathway in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons. Metab Brain Dis. 2019, 34:1787-1801. PMID: 31482248.
• Cui SY, Yang MX, Zhang YH, Zheng V, Zhang HT, Gurney ME, Xu Y, O'Donnell JM. Protection from amyloid β peptide-induced memory, biochemical and morphological deficits by a phosphodiesterase-4D (PDE4D) allosteric inhibitor. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2019, 371:250-259. PMID: 31488603
• Wang Y, Wu YP, Han JJ, Zhang MQ, Yang CX, Jiao P, Tian H, Zhu C, Qin SC, Sun XJ, Zhang HT, Zhao XM. Inhibitory effects of hydrogen on in vitro platelet activation and in vivo prevention of thrombosis formation. Life Sci. 2019, 233:116700. PMID: 31356907
• Xu M, Huang Y, Song P, Huang Y, Huang W, Zhang HT, Hu Y. AAV9-Mediated Cdk5 Inhibitory Peptide Reduces Hyperphosphorylated Tau and Inflammation and Ameliorates Behavioral Changes Caused by Overexpression of p25 in the Brain. J Alzheimers Dis. 2019, 70:573-585. PMID: 31256130
• Zhu X, Li W, Li Y, Xu W, Yuan Y, Zheng V, Zhang H, O'Donnell JM, Xu Y, Yin X. The antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects of resveratrol: Involvement of phosphodiesterase-4D inhibition. Neuropharmacology. 2019, 153:20-31. PMID: 31026437
• Gurney ME, Nugent RA, Mo X, Sindac JA, Hagen TJ, Fox D 3rd, O'Donnell JM, Zhang C, Xu Y, Zhang HT, Groppi VE, Bailie M, White RE, Romero DL, Vellekoop AS, Walker JR, Surman MD, Zhu L, Campbell RF. Design and Synthesis of Selective Phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) Allosteric Inhibitors for the Treatment of Fragile X Syndrome and Other Brain Disorders. J Med Chem. 2019, 62:4884-4901. PMID: 31013090
• Chen L, Cui S, Yu H, Li G, Liu N, Wu Q, Zhang HT, O'Donnell JM, Wang G, Xu Y. Reduced phosphodiesterase-2 activity in the amygdala results in anxiolytic-like effects on behavior in mice. J Psychopharmacol. 2019, 33:568-576. PMID: 30835157
• Yan Y, Yu J, Gao Y, Kumar G, Guo M, Zhao Y, Fang Q, Zhang H, Yu J, Jiang Y, Zhang HT*, Ma CG*. Therapeutic potentials of the Rho kinase inhibitor Fasudil in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and the related mechanisms. Metab Brain Dis. 2019, 34:377-384. PMID:30552558. (review)

[2018]

• Feng X, Wang H, Ye M, Xu XT, Xu Y, Yang W, Zhang HT*, Song G*, Ke H*. Identification of a PDE4-Specific Pocket for the Design of Selective Inhibitors. Biochemistry. 2018, 57:4518-4525. PMID:29975048
• Yu J, Yan Y, Gu Q, Yu H, Guo M, Liu C, Song G, Chai Z, Wang Q, Xiao B, Zhang HT, Jiang Y, Ma C. Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil improves cognitive function by promoting nerve regeneration in APP /PS1 double transgenic mice [Chinese]. Chin J of Pathophysiol.  2018, 34: 1153-1161
• Huang X, Xiaokaiti Y, Yang J, Pan J, Li Z, Luria V, Li Y, Song G, Zhu X, Zhang HT, O'Donnell JM, Xu Y. Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 2 reverses gp91phox oxidase-mediated depression- and anxiety-like behavior. Neuropharmacology. 2018, 143:176-185. PMID: 30268520
• Zhang F, Zhang JG, Yang W, Xu P, Xiao YL, Zhang HT. 6-Gingerol Attenuates LPS-induced Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Impairment Partially via Suppressing Astrocyte Overactivation. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2018, 107:1523-1529. PMID: 30257370
• Yu J, Yan Y, Gu Q, Kumar G, Yu H, Zhao Y, Liu C, Gao Y, Chai Z, Chumber J, Xiao B-G, Zhang G-X, Zhang H-T*, Jiang Y*, Ma C-G*. Fasudil in Combination with Bone Barrow Stromal Cells (BMSCs) Attenuates Alzheimer's Disease-Related Changes Through the Regulation of the Peripheral Immune System. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 2018, 10:216. PMID: 30061826
• Zhang C, Xu Y, Chowdhary A, Fox D, 3rd, Gurney ME, Zhang HT, Auerbach BD, Salvi RJ, O’Donnell JM. Memory Enhancing Effects of BPN14770, an Allosteric Inhibitor of Phosphodiesterase-4D, in Wild-type and Humanized Mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018, 43:2299-2309. PMID: 30131563; PMCID: PMC6135860
• Xu Y, Zhu N, Xu W, Ye H, Liu K, Wu F, Zhang M, Ding Y, Zhang C, Zhang HT, O’Donnell JM, Pan J. Inhibition of Phosphodiesterase-4 Reverses Ab-Induced Memory Impairment by Regulation of HPA Axis Related cAMP Signaling. Front. Aging Neurosci. 2018, 10:204. PMID: 30087608; PMCID: PMC6066959
• Shi J, Liu HX, Pan JC, Chen J, Zhang NP, Liu KP, Fei N, O’Donnell JM, Zhang HT*, Xu Y*. Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 2 by Bay 60-7550 decreases ethanol intake and preference in mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2018, 235:2377-2385. PMID: 29876622
• Huang XF, Jiang WT, Liu L, Song FC, Zhu X, Shi GL, Ding SM, Ke HM, Wang W, O'Donnell JM, Zhang HT, Luo HB, Wan YQ, Song GQ, Xu Y. A novel PDE9 inhibitor WYQ-C36D ameliorates corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity and depression-like behaviors by cGMP-CREB related signaling. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2018, 24:889-896. PMID: 29722134
• Liu L, Zheng J, Huang XF, Zhu X, Ding SM, Ke HM, O'Donnell JM, Zhang HT*, Song GQ*, Xu Y*. The neuroprotective and antidepressant-like effects of Hcyb1, a novel selective PDE2 inhibitor. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2018, 24:652-660. PMID: 29704309
• Wen RT, Zhang FF, Zhang HT. Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases: Potential therapeutic targets for alcohol use disorder. Psychopharmacology, 2018, 235:1793-1805. PMID: 29663017. (review)

[2017]

• Yu JZ, Gu QF, Yan YQ, Yu HQ, Guo MF, Liu CY, Song GB, Chai Z, Wang Q, Zhang HT, Xiao BG, Jiang YQ, Ma CG. The Rho kinase inhibitor Fasudil improves cognition via regulation of microglia and shifting microglia phenotypes from M1 to M2 in APP/ PS1 transgenic mice. Chin J Cell Mol Immunol. 2017, 33:1585-1593
• Gong MF, Wen RT, Xu Y, Pan JC, Fei N, Zhou YM, Xu JP*, Liang JH*, Zhang HT*. Attenuation of ethanol abstinence-induced anxiety- and depressive-like behavior by the phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor rolipram in rodents. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2017, 234:3143-3151. PMID: 28748375
• He Y, Pan S, He R, Xu M, Huang W, Song P, Huang J, Zhang HT, Hu Y. AAV9-mediated Cdk5 inhibitory peptide (CIP) reverses pathological changes and behavioral deficits in the Alzheimer's disease model mice. FASEB J. 2017, 31:3383-3392. PMID: 28420695
• Liu X, Hao PD, Yang MF, Sun JY, Mao LL, Fan CD, Zhang ZY, Li DW, Yang XY, Sun BL*, Zhang HT*. The phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor roflumilast decreases ethanol consumption in C57BL/6J mice. Psychopharmacology. 2017, 234:2409-2419.  PMID:28477089
• Zhang C, Xu Y, Zhang HT, Gurney M, and O'Donnell JM. Comparison of the pharmacological profiles of selective PDE4B and PDE4D inhibitors in the central nervous system.  Sci Rep. 2017, 7:40115. PMID:28054669
• Nguyen L, Bohlen J, Stricker J, Zhang HT, and Pistilli EE. Hippocampus-specific deficiency of IL-15Rα contributes to greater anxiety-like behaviors in transgenic mice. Metab Brain Dis. 2017, 32:297-302. PMID: 27837366
• Hu WW, Hou XQ, Liao RJ, Zhang HT. Advances in targets of pharmacotherapy and discovery of new drugs for Alzheimer disease: Do we have any other strategies? Chin J Pharmacol Toxicol, 2017, 31:701-706. (review)
• Yuan JY, Li JX, Zhang HT, Zhou WH. Dependence and medicinal potential of marijuana. (review) Chin J Drug Depend, 2017, 26:330-336
• Liu X, Zhang QQ, Wang SX, Zhang WX, Zhang HT. Factors affecting establishment of rodent alcohol drinking models and recent advances. Chin J Pharmacol Toxicol, 2017, 31: 311-318. (review)
• Hou X, Wang L, Wang F, Zhao X, Zhang HT. Combination of RNA interference and stem cells for treatment of central nervous system diseases. Genes, 2017, 8(135):1-14.  PMID: 28481269; PMCID: PMC5448009. (review)
• Hansen RT III, Zhang HT. The Past, Present, and Future of Phosphodiesterase-4 modulation for age-induced memory loss. Adv Neurobiol. 2017, 17:169-199. PMID: 28956333. In: Zhang HT, Xu Y, O’Donnell JM, eds. Phosphodiesterases: CNS Functions and Diseases.  Springer Publishing, New York, NY, USA, 2017, pp169-199. (book chapter)
• Hu YF, Pan SY, Zhang HT. Interaction of Cdk5 and cAMP/PKA signaling in the mediation of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Adv Neurobiol. 2017, 17:45-61. PMID: 28956329. In: Zhang HT, Xu Y, O’Donnell JM, eds. Phosphodiesterases: CNS Functions and Diseases.  Springer Publishing, New York, NY, USA, 2017, pp45-61. (book chapter)
• Zhang C, Leuptow L, Zhang HT, O’Donnell JM, Xu Y.  The role of Phosphodiesterase-2 in Psychiatric and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Adv Neurobiol. 2017, 17:307-347. PMID:28956338. In: Zhang HT, Xu Y, O’Donnell JM, eds. Phosphodiesterases: CNS Functions and Diseases.  Springer Publishing, New York, NY, USA, 2017, pp307-347. (book chapter)
• Wen RT, Liang JH, Zhang HT. Targeting Phosphodiesterases in Pharmacotherapy for Substance Dependence. Adv Neurobiol. 2017, 17:413-444. PMID: 28956341. In: Zhang HT, Xu Y, O’Donnell JM, eds. Phosphodiesterases: CNS Functions and Diseases.  Springer Publishing, New York, NY, USA, 2017, pp413-444. (book chapter)

BMED

My major research interests focus on behavioral and cellular signaling mechanisms in treatment of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders.Specifically, I am interested in exploring the roles of cyclic nucleotide (cAMP/cGMP) signaling in the mediation of depression, anxiety, alcohol dependence, drug abuse, and memory loss associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Techniques include various animal behavioral tests (e.g., radial arm-maze, water-maze, passive avoidance, and object recognition for memory; DRL schedule, forced-swim, and tail-suspension for depression; elevated-plus maze, holeboard, and light-dark transition for anxiety; alcohol drinking behavior, self-administration, and righting reflex for alcohol and/or drug dependence), small animal surgeries for brain microinfusions, enzyme assays, immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, RNAi gene silencing (shRNAs, CRISPR-Cas9), optogenetics, etc. Our goals are to develop ideal treatments for neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, drug abuse and dependence and elucidate the mechanisms whereby intracellular signaling mediates these disorders.