In general, my lab has been studying the neuroimmunological and neuroendocrine basis of integrated biology and physiology. In terms of pathophysiology, we have incorporated a list of models that addressed metabolic disorders (obesity and diabetes), cardiovascular disorders (hypertension), and aging disorders, and are expanding our interests to include some infectious diseases, brain cancers and additional neuroimmune problems. Among our various approaches, one highlight is related to neural stem cells, in particular hypothalamic neural stem cells (htNSC) that my lab initially identified. For example, we have been studying the neuroendocrine functions of htNSC in regulating physiological homeostasis, while how loss of these functions could lead to various conditions of systemic disorders. Overall, my lab research has led to several new paradigms and concepts, notably including hypothalamic microinflammation, hypothalamic control of aging, existence of htNSC, and identification of NSC-released miRNA/piRNA exosomes. In line with these topics, my lab research is an integral part of many related research communities on campus, such as Institute of Neuroimmunology and Inflammation, Diabetes Research Center, Institute for Aging Research, Stem Cell Institute, and Cancer Center. In this background, my lab is continuing to develop new interdisciplinary models, strategies, and approaches to address fundamental questions in these areas and to generate technologies for improving health.

Cai D, Khor S. "Hypothalamic Microinflammation" Paradigm in Aging and Metabolic Diseases. Cell Metabolism. 2019 Jul 2;30(1):19-35.

Zhang Y, Kim M, Jia B, Yan J, Hertz J, Han C, Cai D. Hypothalamic stem cells control ageing speed partly through exosomal miRNAs. Nature (article), 2017 Aug 3; 548(7665):52-57.

(Highlighted via Nature News in Nature 547: 389, 2017, highlighted via Science News in Science July 26, 2017, highlighted in Nature Reviews Neuroscience 2017)

Zhang YL, Reichel JM, Han C, Zuniga-Hertz JP, Cai D. Astrocytic process plasticity and IKK/NF-kB in central control of blood glucose, blood pressure and body weight. Cell Metabolism. 2017, May 2; 25(5); 1091-1102.

(Highlighted in a preview in Cell Metabolism 2017; 25(5):995-996)

Zhang YM, Liu G, Yan J, Zhang YL, Li B, Cai D. Metabolic learning and memory formation by the brain influence systemic metabolic homeostasis. Nature Communications. 2015 Apr 7;6:67042015.

(Selected for news release by Nature Communications)

Kim M, Yan J, Wu W, Zhang G, Zhang Y, Cai D. Rapid linkage of innate immunological signal to adaptive immunity by the brain-fat axis. Nature Immunology. 16(5): 525-33, 2015.

(Highlighted in News & Views in Nature Immunology, 16(5):440-1, 2015, highlighted in Nature Reviews Immunology 15: 2015)

Yan J, Zhang H, Yin Y, Li J, Purkayastha S, Tang Y, Cai D. Obesity- and aging-induced excess of central TGF-b potentiates diabetic development via an RNA stress response. Nature Medicine, 20(9):1001-8, 2014.

(Highlighted in News and Views in Nature Medicine, 20(9):985-7, 2014, recognized by Faculty 1000, commentary in Nature Reviews Neuroscience 5:563, 2014)

Zhang G, Li J, Purkayastha S, Tang Y, Zhang H, Yin Y, Liu G, Cai D.Hypothalamic Programming of Systemic Aging Involving IKKb/NF-kB and GnRH. Nature, (article), 497(7448): 211-6, 2013.

(Highlighted in News and Views in Nature 497(7448):197-8, 2013)

Li J, Tang Y, Cai D. IKKb/NF-kB disrupts adult hypothalamic neural stem cells to mediate a neurodegenerative mechanism of dietary obesity and pre-diabetes. Nature Cell Biology, 14(10): 999-1012, 2012.

(Highlighted via Nature Cell Biology preview and news)

Zhang G, Bai H, Zhang H, Dean C, Wu Q, Li J, Guariglia S, Cai D. Neuropeptide exocytosis involving synaptotagmin-4 and oxytocin in hypothalamic programming of obesity and metabolic diseases. Neuron, 69 (3): 523-535, 2011.