2000 - 2004  Bachelor, South China Agricultural University

2004 - 2007  Master, South China University of Technology

2008 - 2009  Exchange Ph.D.student, National Cancer Centre Singapore

2007 - 2011  Ph.D., Sun Yat-sen University

2011 - 2016  Postdoctoral fellow, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

2016 - 2019  Instructor, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

2019 -           Professor, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

2018  USCACA&AFCR Scholar Awards

2016  Caroline Ross Endowed Fellowship, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

2016  The Harold C. and Mary L. Daily Endowment Fund Fellowship, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

2015  The Anne Eastland Spears Fellowship in GI Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

2013 - 2016  Odyssey Fellow,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Research Introduction

Metabolism is a combination of chemical reactions during life activity, cells may adjust their metabolism to adapt the extracellular environment, this process is referred as metabolic reprogramming. In mammals, innate immunity response, accompanied by metabolic reprogramming, is essential for the defense of pathogen invasion and clearance of intracellular damage. In addition, metabolic reprogramming is a key biological property of tumor cells comparing to heathy cells. Our lab focuses on identifying and characterizing the immunomodulatory functions of metabolic enzymes and metabolites, thus paving the way for the development of next generation therapeutics of anti-infection and anti-tumor.

Research Interests

1. Identifying the immunomodulatory metabolic enzymes and metabolites;

2. Unveiling the metabolic vulnerabilities in oncogene-driven cancers.

(# First author, * corresponding author)

1. Chen C^#, Liu CY^#, Sun PK^#, Zhang ZX, Wang ZM, Liu P, Li XJ*. Itaconate uptake via SLC13A3 improves hepatic antibacterial innate immunity. Developmental Cell 2024; 59(21): 2807-2817

2. Chen C^#, Zhang ZX^#, Liu CY^#, Sun PK, Liu P, Li XJ*. ABCG2 is an itaconate exporter that limits antibacterial innate immunity by alleviating TFEB-dependent lysosomal biogenesis. Cell Metabolism 2024; 36(3): 498-510

3. Li X, Wang ZX, Chen C, Yang F, Liu P, Fang S, Wang B, Chen S*, Li XJ*. A small-molecule degrader selectively inhibits the growth of ALK-rearranged lung cancer with ceritinib resistance. iScience 2024; 27(2): 109015

4. Sun PK^#, Zhang ZX^#, Wang B, Liu CY, Chen C, Liu P, Li XJ*. A genetically encoded fluorescent biosensor for detecting itaconate with subcellular resolution in living macrophages. Nature Communications 2022; 13(1): 6562

5. Chen C^#, Zhang ZX^#, Liu CY, Wang B, Liu P, Fang S, Yang F, You YP, Li XJ*. ATF4-dependent fructolysis fuels growth of glioblastoma multiforme. Nature Communications 2022; 13(1): 6108

6. Zhang ZX^#, Chen C^#, Yang F, Zeng YX, Sun PK, Liu P, Li XJ*. Itaconate is a lysosomal inducer that promotes antibacterial innate immunity. Molecular Cell 2022; 82(15): 2844-2857

7. Zhang ZX^#, Li X^#, Yang F^#, Chen C^#, Liu P, Ren Y, Sun PK, Wang ZX, You YP, Zeng YX, Li XJ*. DHHC9-mediated GLUT1 S-palmitoylation promotes glioblastoma glycolysis and tumorigenesis. Nature Communications 2021; 12(1): 5872

Invited Review

1. Chen C^#, Li XJ*. The cell autonomous and non-autonomous roles of itaconate in immune response. Cell Insight 2024; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cellin.2024.100224

(From Xinjian Li, December 17, 2024)