Research Summary
Dr. He’s research focuses on liver metabolism, in particular, glucose and lipid metabolism and the involvement of mitochondrial dynamics. Currently, his laboratory is working on an NIH-funded project to define the molecular mechanisms of metformin’s effects on mitochondrial dynamics and respiration through AMPK activation. He has another NIH-funded project to investigate mechanisms leading to the paradoxical concurrence of insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in obesity and type 2 diabetes. In addition, his laboratory is studying the mechanisms responsible for the mitochondrial expansion in neonates.
Selected Publications
View all on PubMed
He, L. Metformin and Systemic Metabolism. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences (Cell Press). 2020 Sep 26:S0165-6147(20)30204-2. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2020.09.001. PMID: 32994049
Wang Y, An H, Liu T, Qin C, Sesaki H, Guo S, Radovick S, Hussain M, Maheshwari A, Wondisford FE, O'Rourke B, He L. Metformin Improves Mitochondrial Respiratory Activity through Activation of AMPK. Cell Reports 2019 Nov 5;29(6):1511-1523.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.09.070. PMID:31693892
Cao J, Peng J, An H, He Q, BoroninaT, GuoS, White MF, Cole PA, He L. Endotoxemia-mediated activation of acetyltransferase P300 impairs insulin signaling in obesity. Nature Communications 2017 Jul 25;8(1):131. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-00163-w. PubMed PMID: 28743992; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5526866.
He L, Wondisford FE. Metformin action: concentrations matter. Cell Metabolism 2015 Feb 3;21(2):159-162. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2015.01.003. PubMed PMID: 25651170.
He L, Sabet A, Djedjos S, Miller R, Sun X, Hussain MA, Radovick S, Wondisford FE. Metformin and insulin suppress hepatic gluconeogenesis through phosphorylation of CREB binding protein. Cell. 2009 May 15;137(4):635-46. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2009.03.016. PubMed PMID: 19450513; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2775562.
