Publications

Publications In Peer-Reviewed Journals (*Corresponding author) in reverse chronological order
Research Articles In English

• Andrew S. Brem, Rujun Gong*.
  Therapeutic targeting of aldosterone: a novel approach to the treatment of glomerular disease.
  Clinical Science  [in press], 2014.
• Rujun Gong*.
  Leveraging melanocortin pathways to treat glomerular diseases. [Invited Review]
  Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease 21(2):134-151, 2014.
• Yongfang Jiang, Hui Bao, Yan Ge, Wei Tang, Du Cheng, Kaizhong Luo, Guozhong Gong, Rujun Gong*.
  Therapeutic targeting of GSK3beta enhances the Nrf2 antioxidant response and confers hepatic cytoprotection in hepatitis C.
  Gut       [May 8. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-306043], 2014.
• Zhen Wang, Yan Ge, Hui Bao, Shougang Zhuang, Ai Peng, Rujun Gong*.
  Pharmacological targeting of GSK3beta confers protection against podocytopathy and proteinuria via desensitizing mitochondrial permeability transition.
  British Journal of Pharmacology 2014 Sep 29. doi: 10.1111/bph.12952. [Epub ahead of print], 2014.
• Weiwei Xu, Yan Ge, Zhihong Liu, Rujun Gong*.
  Glycogen synthase kinase 3b dictates podocyte motility and focal adhesion turnover by modulating paxillin activity: implications in podocytopathy.
  American Journal of Pathology184(10):2742-56, 2014. (Cover Story)
• Hui Bao, Yan Ge, Zhen Wang, Shougang Zhuang, Lance Dworkin, Ai Peng, Rujun Gong*.
  Delayed Administration of a Single Dose of Lithium Promotes Recovery from AKI.
  Journal of the  American Society of Nephrology 25(3):488-500, 2014.
  

Featured article with Editorial:

• Livingston MJ, Dong Z. Lithium in kidney diseases: big roles for the smallest metal. Journal of the  American Society of Nephrology 25(3):421-3, 2014.
• Razzak M. Basic research: the long and the short of it-the temporal effects of renal lithium exposure are beginning to be unravelled. Nature Reviews Nephrology 10(3):123,2014.
  Lili Qu, Jiang M, Li Z, Pu F, Gong L, Sun L, Rujun Gong, Ji G, Jin Si.
  Inhibitory effect of biosynthetic nanoscale peptide Melittin on hepatocellular carcinoma, driven by survivin promoter.
  Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology 10(4):695-706, 2014
• Zhen Wang, Yan Ge, Hui Bao, Lance Dworkin, Ai Peng, Rujun Gong*.
  Redox-sensitive glycogen synthase kinase 3β-directed control of mitochondrial permeability transition: rheostatic regulation of acute kidney injury.
  Free Radical Biology and Medicine 65:849–858, 2013.
• Jin Si, Yan Ge, Shougang Zhuang, Li Juan Wang, Shan Chen, Rujun Gong*.
  Adrenocorticotropic hormone ameliorates acute kidney injury by steroidogenic-dependent and -independent mechanisms.
  Kidney International 83(4):635-646, 2013.
• Andrew S. Brem, David J. Morris, Xiangpo Li, Yan Ge, Sunil Shaw, Rujun Gong*.
  Adrenalectomy amplifies aldosterone induced injury in cardiovascular tissue: An effect attenuated by adrenally derived steroids.
  Steroids 78(3):347-55, 2013.
• Dai JF, Jiang M, Qu LL, Sun L, Wang YY, Gong LL, Rujun Gong, Si J.
  Toxoplasma gondii: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on a recombinant multi-epitope peptide for distinguishing recent from past infection in human sera.
  Experimental Parasitology 133(1):95-100, 2013
• Qu L, Wang Y, Gong L, Zhu J, Rujun Gong, Si J.
  Suicide gene therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma cells by survivin promoter-driven expression of the
  herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene.
  Oncology Reports 29(4):1435-40, 2013.
• Wang Y, Qu L, Gong L, Sun L, Rujun Gong, Si J.
  Targeting and eradicating hepatic cancer cells with a cancer-specific vector carrying the Buforin II gene.
  Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals 28(8):623-30, 2013.
• Tang J, Liu N, Tolbert E, Ponnusamy M, Ma L, Rujun Gong, Bayliss G, Yan H, Zhuang S.
  Sustained activation of EGFR triggers renal fibrogenesis after acute kidney injury.
  American Journal of Pathology 183(1):160-72, 2013.
• Rujun Gong*.
  The renaissance of corticotrophin therapy in proteinuric nephropathies. [Invited Review]
  Nature Reviews Nephrology8(2):122-8, 2012.
• Hao Bao, Yan Ge, Shougang Zhuang, Lance D. Dworkin, Zhihong Liu, Rujun Gong*.
  Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3β prevents NSAID-induced acute kidney injury.
  Kidney International 81(7):662-673, 2012.
• Jianfang Dai, Min Jiang, Yanyun Wang, Lili Qu, Rujun Gong, Jin Si.
  Evaluation of a recombinant multiepitope peptide for serodiagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection.
  Clinical and Vaccine Immunology 19(3):338-42, 2012.
• Longxuan Li, Liangqing Zhang, Yiming Shao, Guirong Wang, Rujun Gong, Zhengke Wang, Jinwu Peng, Shuhua Wang, David Genochio, Bin Zhao, Junming Luo.
  Distinct roles of two alternative splice variants of matrilin-2 in protein oligomerization and proteolysis.
  Molecular Medicine Reports 6(5):1204-10, 2012.
• Na Liu, Song He, Evelyn Tolbert, Rujun Gong, Gorge Bayliss, Shougang Zhuang.
  Suramin alleviates glomerular injury and inflammation in the remnant kidney.
  PLoS One 7(4):e36194, 2012.
• Liu N, Guo JK, Pang M, Tolbert E, Ponnusamy M, Rujun Gong, Bayliss G, Dworkin LD, Yan H, Zhuang S.
  Genetic or Pharmacologic Blockade of EGFR Inhibits Renal Fibrosis.
  Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 23(5):854-67, 2012.
  Andrew Brem, David Morris, Rujun Gong*.
  Aldosterone induced fibrosis in the kidney: Questions and controversies.
  American Journal of Kidney Disease 58(3):471-479, 2011.
• Yan Ge, Jin Si, Li Tian, Shougang Zhuang, Lance Dworkin, Rujun Gong*.
  Conditional ablation of glycogen synthase kinase 3b in postnatal mouse kidney.
  Laboratory Investigation91(1):85-96, 2011. [Cover Story]
• Murugavel Ponnusamy, Na Liu, Rujun Gong, Haidong Yan, Shougang Zhuang.
  ERK pathway mediates P2X7 expression and cell death in renal interstitial fibroblasts exposed to necrotic renal epithelial cells.
  American Journal of Physiology Renal Physiology301(3):F650-9, 2011.
• Murugavel Ponnusamy, Li Ma, Rujun Gong, Pang M, Chin YE, Zhuang S.
  P2X7 receptors mediate deleterious renal epithelial-fibroblast cross talk.
  American Journal of Physiology Renal Physiology 300(1):F62-70., 2011.
• Junming Luo, Yingxin Li, Rujun Gong*.
  The mechanism of atopic march may be the social event of cells and molecules. [Review]
  Journal of International Molecular Medicine 26(12):779-785, 2010.
• Maoyin Pang, Li Ma, Rujun Gong, Tolbert E, Mao H, Ponnusamy M, Chin YE, Haidong Yan, Lance Dworkin, Shougang Zhuang.
  A novel STAT3 inhibitor, S3I-201, attenuates renal interstitial fibroblast activation and interstitial fibrosis in obstructive nephropathy.
  Kidney International78(3):257-268, 2010.
• Andrew S. Brem, David J. Morris, Yan Ge, Lance Dworkin, Evelyn Tolbert, Rujun Gong*.
  Direct fibrogenic effects of aldosterone on normotensive kidney: An effect modified by 11b-HSD activity.
  American Journal of Physiology Renal Physiology298(5): F1178-F1187, 2010. 
• Jin Si, Yan Ge, Shougang Zhuang, Rujun Gong*.
  Inhibiting nonmuscle myosin II impedes inflammatory infiltration and ameliorates progressive renal disease.
  Laboratory Investigation90(3): 448-458, 2010.
  Featured article with commentary:
• Putting the brakes on inflammatory cell motility. Laboratory Investigation 90(3): 346-347, 2010.
• Ponnusamy M, Maoyin Pang, Annamaraju PK, Zhu Zhang, Rujun Gong, Y. Eugene Chin, Shougang Zhuang.
  Transglutaminase-1 protects renal epithelial cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis through activation of STAT3 and Akt signaling pathways.
  American Journal of Physiology Renal Physiology 297(5):F1361-70, 2009. 
• Zhu Zhang, Jingping Xing, Li Ma, Rujun Gong, Y. Eugene Chin, Shougang Zhuang. Transglutaminase-1 regulates renal epithelial cell proliferation through activation of Stat-3.
   Journal of Biological Chemistry 284(5):3345-3353, 2009.
• Rujun Gong*.
  Multi-target anti-inflammatory action of hepatocyte growth factor. [Review]
  Current Opinion in Investigational Drugs 9(11):1163-1170, 2008.
• Rujun Gong, Syed Latif, David J. Morris, Andrew S. Brem.
  Co-localization of glucocorticoid metabolizing and prostaglandin synthesizing enzymes in rat kidney and liver.
  Life Sciences 83(21-22):725-731, 2008.
• Shan Chen, Yan Ge, Jin Si, Abdalla Rifai, Lance D. Dworkin, Rujun Gong*.
  Candesartan suppresses chronic renal inflammation via a novel antioxidant action independent of AT1R blockade.
  Kidney International74(9):1128-1138, 2008.

Featured article with commentary:
• Candesartan and oxidative stress. Kidney International 74(9):1103, 2008.
• Macconi D, Remuzzi G. Candesartan and renal protection: more than blocking angiotensin type 1 receptor? Kidney International 74(9):1112-1114, 2008.
• Rujun Gong*, Yan Ge, Shan Chen, Elizabeth Liang, Alfredo Esparza, Edmont Sabo, Agelito Yango, Regional Gohh, Abdalla Rifai, Lance D. Dworkin.
  Glycogen synthase kinase 3b: a novel marker and modulator of inflammatory injury in chronic renal allograft disease.
  American Journal of Transplantation 8(9):1852-1863, 2008.
• Rujun Gong*, Abdalla Rifai, Yan Ge, Shan Chen, Lance D. Dworkin.
  Hepatocyte growth factor suppresses proinflammatory NF-kB activation through GSK3b inactivation in renal tubular epithelial cells.
  Journal of Biological Chemistry 283(12):7401-7410, 2008.
• Rujun Gong, David J. Morris, Andrew A. Brem.
  Variable Expression of 11ß Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (11b-HSD) Isoforms in Vascular Endothelial Cells.
  Steroids 73(11):1187-1196, 2008.
• Rujun Gong, David J. Morris, Andrew S. Brem.
  Human renal 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 functions and co-localizes with COX-2.
  Life Sciences 82(11-12):631-637, 2008.
• Rujun Gong, Zhihong Liu, Leishi Li.
  Epistatic effect of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and b-fibrinogen genes on risk of glomerular microthrombosis in lupus nephritis: Interaction with environmental/clinical factors.
  Arthritis and Rheumatism 57(5):1608-1617, 2007.
• Chen Yu, Rujun Gong, Abdalla Rifai, Evelyn M. Tolbert, Lance D. Dworkin.
  Long-term, high-dosage candesartan suppresses inflammation and injury in chronic kidney disease: nonhemodynamic renal protection.
  Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 18(3):750-759, 2007.
• Rujun Gong*, Abdalla Rifai, Lance D. Dworkin.
  Anti-inflammatory effect of hepatocyte growth factor in chronic kidney disease: Targeting the inflamed vascular endothelium.
  Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 17(9): 2464-2473, 2006.
• Rujun Gong*, Abdalla Rifai, Lance D. Dworkin.
  Hepatocyte growth factor suppresses acute renal inflammation by inhibition of endothelial E-selectin.
  Kidney International 69(7):1166-1174, 2006.
• Rujun Gong*, Abdalla Rifai, Lance D. Dworkin. Activation of PI3K-Akt-GSK3beta pathway mediates hepatocyte growth factor inhibition of RANTES expression in renal tubular epithelial cells.
  Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications330(1):27-33, 2005.
• Purba Biswas, Abinash Roy, Rujun Gong, Angelito Yango, Evelyn M. Tolbert, Jason Centracchio, Lance D. Dworkin.
  Hepatocyte Growth Factor induces an Endothelin Mediated Decline in Glomerular Filtration Rate.
  American Journal of Physiology Renal Physiology288(1):F8-F15, 2005.
• Huiping Chen, Zhihong Liu, Rujun Gong, Zheng Tang, Caihong Zeng, Maoyan Zhu, Jianping Wang, Hong Zhou, Leishi Li.
  Lipoprotein glomerulopathy: clinical features and pathological characteristics in Chinese.
  Chinese Medical Journal117(10):1513-1517, 2004.
• Lance D. Dworkin, Rujun Gong, Evelyn Tolbert, Jason Centracchio, Nahiro Yano, Abdul R. Zanabli, Alfredo Esparza, Abdalla Rifai.
  Hepatocyte growth factor ameliorates progression of interstitial fibrosis in rats with established renal injury.
  Kidney International65(2):409-419, 2004.
• Rujun Gong, Abdalla Rifai, Evelyn Tolbert, Purba Biswas, Jason Centracchio, Lance D. Dworkin.
  Hepatocyte growth factor ameliorates renal interstitial inflammation in nephrectomized rats by modulating tubular expression of MCP-1 and RANTES.
  Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 15(11):2868-2881, 2004.
  
  Featured article with commentary:
• Attacking Renal Inflammation in CKD. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 15(11):2765–2767, 2004
• Rujun Gong, Abdalla Rifai, Evelyn Tolbert, Jason Centracchio, Lance D. Dworkin.
  Hepatocyte growth factor modulates matrix metalloproteinases and plasminogen activator/plasmin proteolytic pathways in progressive renal interstitial fibrosis.
  Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 14(12):3047-3060, 2003.
• Zhihong Liu, Zhaohong Cheng, Rujun Gong, Hao Liu, Dong Liu, Leishi Li.
  Sex differences in estrogen receptor gene polymorphism and its association with lupus nephritis in Chinese.
  Nephron90(2):174-180, 2002.
• Rujun Gong, Zhihong Liu, Zhaohong Chen, Leishi Li.
  Genetic variation of mannose-binding protein associated with glomerular immune deposition in IgA nephropathy.
  Chinese Medical Journal115(2):192-196, 2002.
• Zhihong Liu, Junwei Yang, Zhaohong Chen, Rujun Gong, Leishi Li.
  Gene polymorphism in IL-1 receptor antagonist affects its production by monocytes in IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schonlein nephritis.
  Chinese Medical Journal 114(12):1313-1316, 2001.
• Rujun Gong, Zhihong Liu, Leishi Li.
  Mannose-binding lectin gene polymorphism associated with the patterns of glomerular immune deposition in IgA nephropathy.
  Scandinavian  Journal of Urology and Nephrology 35(3):228-232, 2001.

Research Articles In Chinese

• Hao Bao, Rujun Gong*.
  Role of adrenocorticotropin therapy in proteinuric nephropathies. (in Chinese)  [review]
  Chinese Journal of Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation20(2): 154-160, 2011.
• Zhihong Liu, Rujun Gong, Kebin Hu, Yingjian Li, Jianping Wang, Leishi Li.
  Acquired mutation of type II transforming growth factor-beta receptor gene in glomerulosclerosis. (in Chinese)
  National Medical Journal of China82(12):802-806, 2002.
• Rujun Gong, Zhihong Liu, Zhaohong Chen, Leishi Li.
  Genetic variations in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene and beta fibrinogen gene associated with glomerular microthrombosis in lupus nephritis and the gene dosage effect. (in Chinese)
  Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics19(1):1-5, 2002.
• Rujun Gong, Zhihong Liu, Zhaohong Chen, Dong Liu, Leishi Li.
  Mannose-binding protein gene polymorphism influences the patterns of glomerular immune deposition in IgA nephropathy. (in Chinese)
  Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 18(2):83-87, 2001.
• Rujun Gong, Zhihong Liu, Hong Zhou, Huiping Chen, Caihong Zeng, Leishi Li.
  Genetic variation in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 gene in lupus nephritis associated with glomerular microthrombosis. (in Chinese)
  Chinese Journal of Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation10(1):28-32, 2001.
• Rujun Gong, Zhihong Liu, Dong Liu, Leishi Li.
  Mannose-binding protein gene polymorphism associated with low serum concentration in patients with IgA nephropathy. (in Chinese)
  Journal of Nanjing University (Natural Science Edition) 37(5):581-588, 2001.
• Rujun Gong, Zhihong Liu, Zhaohong Chen Z, Zheng Cheng, Bo Zhang, Shijun Li, Hong Zhou, Huiping Chen, Leishi Li.
  Lipids biochemical profile and apolipoprotein E genetic variation in patients with lipoprotein E glomerulopathy, (in Chinese)
  Chinese Journal of Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation 10(4):329-334, 2001.
• Rujun Gong, Zhihong Liu, Kebin Hu, Jinping Wang, Leishi Li.
  Microdissection of a single glomerulus from archival section of renal biopsy and its application in molecular nephrology. (in Chinese)
  Chinese Journal of Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation 9(6):534-538, 2000.
•  Rujun Gong, Qinwen Wang.
  DNA microarray technology and its perspective application in nephrology. (in Chinese) [review]
  Chinese Journal of Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation10(1):58-61, 2001.
• Rujun Gong, Xuejun Zhu.
  Strategy and progress of genetic studies in diabetic nephropathy. (in Chinese) [review] Chinese Journal of Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation 10(3):269-273, 2001.
• Rujun Gong, Zhi-Hong Liu, Zhao-Hong Chen, Lei-Shi Li.
  Patterns of glomerular Immune deposition in IgA nephropathy based on a genetic variation: Mannose binding protein gene polymorphism. (in Chinese)
  Chinese Journal of Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation 9(3):201-206,2000.
• Rujun Gong, Zhihong Liu.
  Mannose-binding protein. (in Chinese) [review]
  Chinese Journal of Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation 9(3):262-268, 2000.
• Rujun Gong, Weixin Hu.
  Pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus associated nephropathy. (in Chinese) [review]
  Chinese Journal of Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation 8(2):152-155, 1999.
• Rujun Gong, Junwei Yang.
  Role of chemokine and its receptor in T cell priming and Th1/Th2 mediated immune response. (in Chinese) [review]
  Chinese Journal of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation 8(5):449-454, 1999.

Conference abstracts:
Over 60 conference abstracts. [Available upon request].

Research Grants
Completed

1. Project Title: Regulation of proinflammatory phenotype of renal tubular epithelial cells by HGF.
   Role: Principal Investigator                                 (15% effort)
   Agency: Foundation for Health   Period: 2005~ 2007
2. Grant Title: Role of GSK3b in pathogenesis of inflammatory kidney disease.
   Role: Principal Investigator                                 (30% effort)
   Agency: Rhode Island Foundation
   Period: 2008~ 2009
3. Grant Title: Role of GSK3b in pathogenesis of lupus nephritis.
   Role: Principal Investigator                                 (20% effort)
   Agency: Lifespan Development Grant
   Period: 2007~ 2009
4. Grant Title: Inhibition of GSK3b to treat lupus nephritis.
   Role: Principal Investigator                                 (20% effort)
   Agency: Foundation for Health
   Period: 2010~ 2011

       
Active

1. Grant Title: Therapeutic targeting of GSK3beta: A novel approach for podocyte protection.
   Role: Principal Investigator                                 (75% effort)                           
   Agency: NIH NIDDK R01 DK092485
   Period: 09/01/2011~ 08/31/2016