Xinzhong Dong, Ph.D.

Headshot of Xinzhong Dong
  • Professor of Neuroscience

Research Interests

Itch; Gentle touch; Hyperalgesia; Nerve injury; Neuropathic pain; MrgC agonism; Sensory circuits; Sensory neurons; Spinal ganglia; Sensory receptor cells; Neuronal imaging; Pain-sensing neurons; Genetic studies; Molecular studies; Somatosensation; Nociception; Pain; Heat ...read more

Background

Dr. Xinzhong Dong is an associate professor of neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Dong has identified many genes specifically expressed in the pain-sensing neurons of the brain’s dorsal-root ganglia.

Using approaches that include molecular biology, mouse genetics and behavior, and electrophysiology, his research examines the function of these genes in pain sensation.

Dr. Dong serves on the faculty of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences and the Center for Sensory Biology, as well as on the Neurosurgery Pain Research Institute’s scientific advisory board.

He received his B.A. from Holy Cross College and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles. Trained in molecular neuroscience, Dr. Dong completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the California Institute of Technology. He joined the Johns Hopkins faculty in 2004.

He has published approximately 40 academic journal articles and was recognized as an early career scientist by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

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Titles

  • Professor of Neuroscience
  • Professor of Dermatology
  • Professor of Neurosurgery

Departments / Divisions

Centers & Institutes

Education

Degrees

  • B.A.; Holy Cross College (Massachusetts) (1992)
  • Ph.D.; University of California (Los Angeles) (California) (1998)

Research & Publications

Research Summary

Dr. Dong, trained in molecular neuroscience, has identified many genes specifically expressed in pain-sensing neurons in dorsal root ganglia. He is interested in studying the function of these genes in pain sensation by multiple approaches including molecular biology, mouse genetics, mouse behavior, and electrophysiology.

The laboratory will use these genes as molecular tools to understand the cellular properties of different subtypes of pain-sensing neurons with respect to neuronal circuitry in central projection and pain modalities. The laboratory also is investigating the molecular mechanism of how skin mast cells sensitize sensory nerves under inflammatory states.

Dr. Dong identified a nearly 50-member family of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCRs) called Mrgs.

Using mouse molecular and genetic techniques, Dr. Dong’s team found that the axons of Mrg-expressing nociceptors mainly innervate skin, but not visceral organs. This is thought to be the first known marker with such a specific innervation pattern.

His team also isolated several neuropeptides – including FMRFamide, NPFF, and g2-MSH – that function as ligands for Mrgs. Some Mrg ligands have been implicated in regulating pain sensitivity.

Dr. Dong also has isolated several novel nociceptor-specific molecules from the initial screen. Some encode ion channels and have very specific expression pattern similar to Mrgs.

Studies conducted in the Dong Lab have shown that nociceptors are highly diverse at molecular level, and the roles of these neurons in nociception are far from understood.

With nociceptor-specific genes in hand, Dr. Dong’s research team is in an advantageous position to combine molecular biology and genetics with animal behavior and electrophysiology to gain new insights into nociception.

Selected Publications

Kim YS, Chu Y, Han L, Li M, Li Z, Lavinka PC, Sun S, Tang Z, Park C, Caterina MJ, Ren K, Dubner R, Wei F, Dong X. “Central terminal sensitization of TRPV1 by descending serotonergic facilitation modulates chronic pain.” Neuron. 2014 Feb 19;81(4):873-87. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.12.011. Epub 2014 Jan 23.

He SQ, Li Z, Chu YX, Han L, Xu Q, Li M, Yang F, Liu Q, Tang Z, Wang Y, Hin N, Tsukamoto T, Slusher B, Tiwari V, Shechter R, Wei F, Raja SN, Dong X, Guan Y. “MrgC agonism at central terminals of primary sensory neurons inhibits neuropathic pain.” Pain. 2014 Mar;155(3):534-44. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2013.12.008. Epub 2013 Dec 11.

Tang Z, Kim A, Masuch T, Park K, Weng H, Wetzel C, and Dong X. “ Pirt functions as an endogenous regulator of TRPM8.” Nature Communications July 2013.

Zhao X, Tang Z, Zhang H, Atianjoh FE, Zhao JY, Liang L, Wang W, Guan X, Kao SC, Tiwari V, Gao YJ, HOffman PN, Cui H, Li M, Dong X, TAo YX. “ A long noncoding RNA contributes to neuropathic pain by silencing Kv1.2 in primary afferent neurons.” Nature Neuroscience. July 2013.

Han L, Ma C, Liu Q, Weng H, Cui Y, Tang Z, Kim Y, Nie H, Qu L, Patel K, Li Z, McNeil B, He S, Guan Y, Xiao B, LaMotte R, Dong X. “A subpopulation of nociceptors specifically linked to itch.” Nature Neuroscience 16:174-182.

Contact for Research Inquiries

Johns Hopkins University
725 N. Wolfe Street
The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience
Baltimore, MD 21205 map
Phone: 410-502-2993
Fax: 410-614-6249

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Academic Affiliations & Courses

Graduate Program Affiliation

Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program

Neuroscience Graduate Program

Activities & Honors

Honors

  • Early Career Scientist, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
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