Skip to content
Home
Zhenqiang Yao, B.Med., Ph.D.

Zhenqiang Yao, B.Med., Ph.D.

Looking for more Information?

Visit my lab website to learn more about my research, collaborators, latest news, etc.

Visit Research Lab Website

About Me

Dr. Yao’s research interests focus on the basic and translational studies of musculoskeletal diseases and breast cancer.
Dr. Yao’s research interests focus on the basic and translational studies of musculoskeletal diseases and breast cancer.

Faculty Appointments

Associate Professor - Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SMD)

Associate Professor - Department of Biomedical Engineering (SMD) - Joint

Associate Professor - Department of Dentistry (SMD) - Joint

Associate Professor - Department of Pharmacology and Physiology (SMD) - Joint

Credentials

Education

PhD | University of Westminster. Biomedical Science. 2016

MS | Kunming Medical College. Orthopedic Surgery. 1993

Awards

The Mid-Career Faculty Travel Grant. 2021

Young Investigator Award. 2007

Young Investigator Award. 2006

Research

1. Musculoskeletal Research: Our current projects focus on osteoimmunology with aging, which studies how interactions between bone and immune systems during aging cause age-related osteoporosis and immunosenescence, an acquired dysfunctional adaptive and innate immunity with aging, through TRAF3-NF-...
1. Musculoskeletal Research: Our current projects focus on osteoimmunology with aging, which studies how interactions between bone and immune systems during aging cause age-related osteoporosis and immunosenescence, an acquired dysfunctional adaptive and innate immunity with aging, through TRAF3-NF-kappaB signaling. We are also collaborating with chemists to develop a bone-targeted lysosomal inhibitor that stabilizes TRAF3 to treat osteoporosis and immunosenescence. In addition, we are studying the role of myeloid cells in fracture healing and osteoarthritis and developing new approaches targeting myeloid cells to enhance fracture repair and to mitigate the development of osteoarthritis.
2. Cancer Research: The most significant challenges in treating cancer are recurrence and metastasis. Our current projects focus on cancer immunotherapy using our newly developed engineered macrophage to prevent and eliminate metastatic cancers specifically while avoiding systemic side effects. We are also interested in the mechanism by which microbiome-derived LPS promotes the development of metastatic cancer and the influence of LPS signaling on the therapeutic response of metastatic cancer to a class of small molecular compounds that degrade IAP proteins.

Patents

Phosphonate-Chloroquine Conjugates and Methods Using Same

Issue date: May 26, 2020

Publications

Journal Articles

Hydroxychloroquine and a low antiresorptive activity bisphosphonate conjugate prevent and reverse ovariectomy-induced bone loss in mice through dual antiresorptive and anabolic effects.

Yao Z, Ayoub A, Srinivasan V, Wu J, Tang C, Duan R, Milosavljevic A, Xing L, Ebetino FH, Frontier AJ, Boyce BF

Bone research.. 2024 September 512 (1):52. Epub 09/05/2024.

Chimeric antigen receptor dendritic cells targeted delivery of a single tumoricidal factor for cancer immunotherapy.

Duan R, Milton P, Sittplangkoon C, Liu X, Sui Z, Boyce BF, Yao Z

Cancer immunology, immunotherapy : CII.. 2024 August 673 (10):203. Epub 08/06/2024.

Nuclear Factor-Kappa B Regulation of Osteoclastogenesis and Osteoblastogenesis.

Boyce BF, Li J, Yao Z, Xing L

Endocrinology and metabolism.. 2023 October 38 (5):504-521. Epub 09/26/2023.

TGF?1CCR5 neutrophil subset increases in bone marrow and causes age-related osteoporosis in male mice.

Li J, Yao Z, Liu X, Duan R, Yi X, Ayoub A, Sanders JO, Mesfin A, Xing L, Boyce BF

Nature communications.. 2023 January 1114 (1):159. Epub 01/11/2023.

TGF? priming promotes TNF-induced bone erosion: a promising new target in RA?

Yao Z, Boyce BF

Nature reviews. Rheumatology.. 2022 November 18 (11):617-618. Epub 1900 01 01.

Plumbagin is a NF-?B-inducing kinase inhibitor with dual anabolic and antiresorptive effects that prevents menopausal-related osteoporosis in mice.

Shen G, Liu X, Lei W, Duan R, Yao Z

The Journal of biological chemistry.. 2022 April 298 (4):101767. Epub 02/27/2022.

Lipopolysaccharide sensitizes the therapeutic response of breast cancer to IAP antagonist.

Liu X, Yao JJ, Chen Z, Lei W, Duan R, Yao Z

Frontiers in immunology.. 2022 13 :906357. Epub 08/31/2022.

Regulation of TNF-Induced Osteoclast Differentiation.

Yao Z, Getting SJ, Locke IC

Cells.. 2021 December 3111 (1)Epub 12/31/2021.

TNF-Polarized Macrophages Produce Insulin-like 6 Peptide to Stimulate Bone Formation in Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice.

Yi X, Liu X, Kenney HM, Duan R, Lin X, Schwarz E, Yao Z

Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.. 2021 December 36 (12):2426-2439. Epub 10/18/2021.

Bisphosphonates for delivering drugs to bone.

Sun S, Tao J, Sedghizadeh PP, Cherian P, Junka AF, Sodagar E, Xing L, Boeckman RK, Srinivasan V, Yao Z, Boyce BF, Lipe B, Neighbors JD, Russell G, McKenna CE, Ebetino FH

British journal of pharmacology.. 2021 May 178 (9):2008-2025. Epub 04/10/2021.

Targeting anti-cancer agents to bone using bisphosphonates.

Xing L, Ebetino FH, Boeckman RK, Srinivasan V, Tao J, Sawyer TK, Li J, Yao Z, Boyce BF

Bone.. 2020 September 138 :115492. Epub 06/23/2020.

TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6 Mediates TNF?-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Mice During Aging.

Li J, Yi X, Yao Z, Chakkalakal JV, Xing L, Boyce BF

Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.. 2020 August 35 (8):1535-1548. Epub 04/27/2020.

The IAP Antagonist SM-164 Eliminates Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Metastasis to Bone and Lung in Mice.

Lei W, Duan R, Li J, Liu X, Huston A, Boyce BF, Yao Z

Scientific reports.. 2020 April 2410 (1):7004. Epub 04/24/2020.

TGF?-induced degradation of TRAF3 in mesenchymal progenitor cells causes age-related osteoporosis.

Li J, Ayoub A, Xiu Y, Yin X, Sanders JO, Mesfin A, Xing L, Yao Z, Boyce BF

Nature communications.. 2019 June 2610 (1):2795. Epub 06/26/2019.

Bone Remodeling and the Role of TRAF3 in Osteoclastic Bone Resorption.

Boyce BF, Li J, Xing L, Yao Z

Frontiers in immunology.. 2018 9 :2263. Epub 09/28/2018.

RANKL cytokine enhances TNF-induced osteoclastogenesis independently of TNF receptor associated factor (TRAF) 6 by degrading TRAF3 in osteoclast precursors.

Yao Z, Lei W, Duan R, Li Y, Luo L, Boyce BF

The Journal of biological chemistry.. 2017 June 16292 (24):10169-10179. Epub 04/24/2017.

Increased bone density in mice lacking the proton receptor OGR1.

Krieger NS, Yao Z, Kyker-Snowman K, Kim MH, Boyce BF, Bushinsky DA

Kidney international.. 2016 March 89 (3):565-73. Epub 01/06/2016.

NF-?B-Mediated Regulation of Osteoclastogenesis.

Boyce BF, Xiu Y, Li J, Xing L, Yao Z

Endocrinology and metabolism.. 2015 March 2730 (1):35-44. Epub 1900 01 01.

RelB/p50 complexes regulate cytokine-induced YKL-40 expression.

Bhardwaj R, Yester JW, Singh SK, Biswas DD, Surace MJ, Waters MR, Hauser KF, Yao Z, Boyce BF, Kordula T

The Journal of immunology : official journal of the American Association of Immunologists.. 2015 March 15194 (6):2862-70. Epub 02/13/2015.

TNF Induction of NF-?B RelB Enhances RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis by Promoting Inflammatory Macrophage Differentiation but also Limits It through Suppression of NFATc1 Expression.

Zhao Z, Hou X, Yin X, Li Y, Duan R, Boyce BF, Yao Z

PloS one.. 2015 10 (8):e0135728. Epub 08/19/2015.

NOTCH inhibits osteoblast formation in inflammatory arthritis via noncanonical NF-?B.

Zhang H, Hilton MJ, Anolik JH, Welle SL, Zhao C, Yao Z, Li X, Wang Z, Boyce BF, Xing L

The Journal of clinical investigation.. 2014 July 124 (7):3200-14. Epub 06/02/2014.

NF-?B RelB negatively regulates osteoblast differentiation and bone formation.

Yao Z, Li Y, Yin X, Dong Y, Xing L, Boyce BF

Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.. 2014 April 29 (4):866-77. Epub 1900 01 01.

Deletion of Mecom in mouse results in early-onset spinal deformity and osteopenia.

Juneja SC, Vonica A, Zeiss C, Lezon-Geyda K, Yatsula B, Sell DR, Monnier VM, Lin S, Ardito T, Eyre D, Reynolds D, Yao Z, Awad HA, Yu H, Wilson M, Honnons S, Boyce BF, Xing L, Zhang Y, Perkins AS

Bone.. 2014 March 60 :148-61. Epub 12/04/2013.

Chloroquine reduces osteoclastogenesis in murine osteoporosis by preventing TRAF3 degradation.

Xiu Y, Xu H, Zhao C, Li J, Morita Y, Yao Z, Xing L, Boyce BF

The Journal of clinical investigation.. 2014 January 124 (1):297-310. Epub 12/09/2013.

Nuclear factor-kappa B family member RelB inhibits human immunodeficiency virus-1 Tat-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production.

Kiebala M, Polesskaya O, Yao Z, Perry SW, Maggirwar SB

PloS one.. 2010 July 295 (7):e11875. Epub 07/29/2010.

Functions of nuclear factor kappaB in bone.

Boyce BF, Yao Z, Xing L

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.. 2010 March 1192 :367-75. Epub 1900 01 01.

NF-kappaB p100 limits TNF-induced bone resorption in mice by a TRAF3-dependent mechanism.

Yao Z, Xing L, Boyce BF

The Journal of clinical investigation.. 2009 October 119 (10):3024-34. Epub 09/21/2009.

Disruption of Rankl/Rank Signaling Reduces TNF-Induced Joint Inflammation In Vivo. The Open Arthritis Journal, 2009, 2, 7-13.

Yao Z, Li P, Zhang Q, Guo R, Schwarz EM, Boyce BF, Xing L.

The Open Arthritis Journal. 2009; 2: 7-9.

Osteoclasts have multiple roles in bone in addition to bone resorption.

Boyce BF, Yao Z, Xing L

Critical reviews in eukaryotic gene expression.. 2009 19 (3):171-80. Epub 1900 01 01.

Osteoclast precursor interaction with bone matrix induces osteoclast formation directly by an interleukin-1-mediated autocrine mechanism.

Yao Z, Xing L, Qin C, Schwarz EM, Boyce BF

The Journal of biological chemistry.. 2008 April 11283 (15):9917-24. Epub 02/04/2008.

Dimorphic effects of Notch signaling in bone homeostasis.

Engin F, Yao Z, Yang T, Zhou G, Bertin T, Jiang MM, Chen Y, Wang L, Zheng H, Sutton RE, Boyce BF, Lee B

Nature medicine.. 2008 March 14 (3):299-305. Epub 02/24/2008.

New roles for osteoclasts in bone.

Boyce BF, Yao Z, Zhang Q, Guo R, Lu Y, Schwarz EM, Xing L

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.. 2007 November 1116 :245-54. Epub 1900 01 01.

NF-kappaB p50 and p52 regulate receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and tumor necrosis factor-induced osteoclast precursor differentiation by activating c-Fos and NFATc1.

Yamashita T, Yao Z, Li F, Zhang Q, Badell IR, Schwarz EM, Takeshita S, Wagner EF, Noda M, Matsuo K, Xing L, Boyce BF

The Journal of biological chemistry.. 2007 June 22282 (25):18245-18253. Epub 05/07/2007.

Increased lymphangiogenesis in joints of mice with inflammatory arthritis.

Zhang Q, Lu Y, Proulx ST, Guo R, Yao Z, Schwarz EM, Boyce BF, Xing L

Arthritis research & therapy.. 2007 9 (6):R118. Epub 1900 01 01.

CRTAP is required for prolyl 3- hydroxylation and mutations cause recessive osteogenesis imperfecta.

Morello R, Bertin TK, Chen Y, Hicks J, Tonachini L, Monticone M, Castagnola P, Rauch F, Glorieux FH, Vranka J, Bächinger HP, Pace JM, Schwarze U, Byers PH, Weis M, Fernandes RJ, Eyre DR, Yao Z, Boyce BF, Lee B

Cell.. 2006 October 20127 (2):291-304. Epub 1900 01 01.

SRC inhibitors in metastatic bone disease.

Boyce BF, Xing L, Yao Z, Yamashita T, Shakespeare WC, Wang Y, Metcalf CA, Sundaramoorthi R, Dalgarno DC, Iuliucci JD, Sawyer TK

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.. 2006 October 1512 (20 Pt 2):6291s-6295s. Epub 1900 01 01.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha increases circulating osteoclast precursor numbers by promoting their proliferation and differentiation in the bone marrow through up-regulation of c-Fms expression.

Yao Z, Li P, Zhang Q, Schwarz EM, Keng P, Arbini A, Boyce BF, Xing L

The Journal of biological chemistry.. 2006 April 28281 (17):11846-55. Epub 02/06/2006.

Future anti-catabolic therapeutic targets in bone disease.

Boyce BF, Xing L, Yao Z, Shakespeare WC, Wang Y, Metcalf CA, Sundaramoorthi R, Dalgarno DC, Iuliucci JD, Sawyer TK

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.. 2006 April 1068 :447-57. Epub 1900 01 01.

Tumor necrosis factor promotes Runx2 degradation through up-regulation of Smurf1 and Smurf2 in osteoblasts.

Kaneki H, Guo R, Chen D, Yao Z, Schwarz EM, Zhang YE, Boyce BF, Xing L

The Journal of biological chemistry.. 2006 February 17281 (7):4326-33. Epub 12/22/2005.

Tumor necrosis factor prevents alendronate-induced osteoclast apoptosis in vivo by stimulating Bcl-xL expression through Ets-2.

Zhang Q, Badell IR, Schwarz EM, Boulukos KE, Yao Z, Boyce BF, Xing L

Arthritis and rheumatism.. 2005 September 52 (9):2708-18. Epub 1900 01 01.

TNF-alpha and pathologic bone resorption.

Boyce BF, Li P, Yao Z, Zhang Q, Badell IR, Schwarz EM, O'Keefe RJ, Xing L

The Keio journal of medicine.. 2005 September 54 (3):127-31. Epub 1900 01 01.

Roles for NF-kappaB and c-Fos in osteoclasts.

Boyce BF, Yamashita T, Yao Z, Zhang Q, Li F, Xing L

Journal of bone and mineral metabolism.. 2005 23 Suppl :11-5. Epub 1900 01 01.

Malignant autosomal recessive osteopetrosis caused by spontaneous mutation of murine Rank.

Kapur RP, Yao Z, Iida MH, Clarke CM, Doggett B, Xing L, Boyce BF

Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.. 2004 October 19 (10):1689-97. Epub 07/21/2004.

Increase of both angiogenesis and bone mass in response to exercise depends on VEGF.

Yao Z, Lafage-Proust MH, Plouët J, Bloomfield S, Alexandre C, Vico L

Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.. 2004 September 19 (9):1471-80. Epub 06/02/2004.

Books

Skeletal Development and Repair. Methods in Molecular Biology (2021)

Chapter: RANKL-Based Osteoclastic Assay from Murine Bone Marrow Cells

Encyclopedia of Bone Biology (2020)

Chapter: Osteoclast Signal Transduction Pathways: The RANKL/RANK System.

Encyclopedia of Bone Biology (2020)

Chapter: Translational Pharmacology in the Development of RANKL Inhibitors

Current Topics in Bone Biology (2005)

Chapter: Osteoclasts and Inflammatory Osteolysis