Academic Staff > W. Wu

 

Wutian Wu ( 吳武田 )
Professor
B.Med.,  M.Med. (Sun Yat Sen),  Ph.D. (Old Dominion)

Department of Anatomy
1/F. Laboratory Block
Faculty of Medicine Building
21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong

Anatomy Office: (852) 2819-9187 (voice)
Anatomy Office: (852) 2817-0857 (fax)

E-mail: wtwu@hkucc.hku.hk

Jump to: Research / Publications

Research

My long-term research goal is to find a cure for paralysis associated with spinal cord injury and other CNS diseases.

My current research is to investigate the mechanism of neuronal degeneration and to find new approaches to prevent neuronal death and promote neuronal survival and regeneration.

My current research focuses on the following areas:

  1. Gene expression changes in CNS neurons in response to axonal injury and their relationship with neuronal death and neuronal regeneration.
  2. Effects and mechanisms of peripheral nerve (PN) graft implantation, stem cell transplantation and neurotrophic factor treatment on the survival and regeneration of CNS neurons following axonal injury.
  3. Mechanisms underlying neuronal death and regeneration after spinal cord injury.

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Selected Publications

*: Corresponding author

  1. Wu, W.*: Expression of nitric oxide synthase in injured CNS neurons as shown by NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry. Exp. Neurol. 120:153-159, 1993.

  2. Wu, W.* and Li, L.: Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase reduces death of spinal motoneu­rons due to avulsion lesion.  Neurosci. Lett. 153(2):121-124, 1993.

  3. Wu, W.* and Scott, D.E.: Increased expression of nitric oxide synthase in hypothalamic neuronal regeneration. Exp. Neurol. 121:279-283, 1993.

  4. Liuzzi,F.J., Wu,W., Scoville, S.A., and Schinco,F.P.: Development of nitric oxide synthase expression in the superficial dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord. Exp. Neurol. 121:275-278, 1993. 

  5. Wu, W.*, Scott, D.E., and Reiter, R.J.: Transplantation of mammalian pineal gland: studies of survival, revascularization, reinnervation, and recovery of function. Exp. Neurol. 122:88-99, 1993.

  6. Wu, W.*, Liuzzi,F.J., Schinco,F.P., Depto,A., Li,Y., Mong,J.A., Dawson,T. and Snyder,S.H.: Neuronal nitric oxide synthase is induced in spinal neurons by traumatic injury. Neuros­cience. 61(4):719-726, 1994.

  7. Wu, W.*, Li,Y. and Schinco,F.P.: Expression of c-jun and nitric oxide synthase in rat spinal motoneurons following axonal injury. Neurosci. Lett. 179:157-161, 1994.

  8. Wu, W.*, Han,K., Li,L. and Schinco,F.P.: Implantation of PNS graft inhibits the induction of nitric oxide synthase and enhances the survival of spinal motoneurons due to root avulsion. Exp.Neurol. 129:335-339, 1994.

  9. Scott,D.E., Wu,W., Slusser,J. and Depto,A.: Neuronal regeneration and neuronal migration following injury: I. the endocrine hypothal­amus and neurohypophyseal system. Exp. Neurol. 131:23-38, 1995. 

  10. Wu,Y., Li,Y., Liu,H. and Wu,W.*: Induction of nitric oxide synthase and motoneuron death in newborn and early postnatal rats following spinal root avulsion. Neurosci. Lett. 194:109-112, 1995.

  11. Li,L., Wu,W., Oppenheim,R.W., Lin,L.F.H., Lei,M., and Houenou,L.J.: Rescue of adult mouse motoneurons from injury-induced cell death by a glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). P. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 92:9771-9775, 1995. 

  12. Wu, W.*: Potential roles of gene expression changes in adult rat spinal motoneurons following axonal injury: A comparison among c-jun, low affinity nerve growth factor receptor (LNGFR), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Exp. Neurol. 141:190-200, 1996.

  13. Gu, Y.M., Spasic, Z and Wu, W.*: The effects of remaining axons on motoneuron survival and NOS expression following axotomy in the adult rat. Developmental Neuroscience, 19:255-259, 1997.

  14. Wu, Y., Han, K., Wu, W. and Terzis, J.K.: Expression of choline acetyltransferase within spinal motoneurons following brachial plexus avulsion. Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, 11:47-54, 1997. 

  15. Yick, L.W., Wu, W.*, So, K.F., and Wong, S.Y.: Time course of NOS expression and neuronal death in Clarke’s nucleus following traumatic injury in adult rat spinal cord. Neurosci. Lett. 241:155-158,1998.

  16. Li,L., Houenou,L.J., Wu, W., Lei,M., Prevette,D.M., and Oppenheim,R.W.: Characterization of spinal motoneuron degeneration following different types of  peripheral nerve injury in neonatal and adult mice. J. Comp. Neurol. 396:158-168, 1998. 

  17. Yick, L.W., Wu,W.*, and So,K.F.: Additive effect of NOS inhibitor and neurotrophic factors on the survival of injured Clark's neurons. NeuroReport, 10:2569-2573, 1999.

  18. Yick, L.W., Wu,W.*, So,K.F., and Yip,H.K.: Peripheral nerve graft and neurotrophic factors enhance neuronal survival and expression of nitric oxide synthase in the Clarke's nucleus after hemisection of the spinal cord in adult rat. Exp. Neurol. 159:131-138, 1999.

  19. Chai, H., Wu, W.*, So, K.F., Prevette, D.M., Oppenheim, R.W.: Long-term effects of a single dose of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on motoneuron survival following spinal root avulsion in the adult rat. Neurosci. Lett. 274:147-150, 1999.

  20. Xie, Y.Y., Yao, Z.B., Wu, W.*: Survival of motoneurons and expression of b-Amyloid protein in the aged rat spinal cord. NeuroReport, 11:697-700, 2000.

  21. Yick, L.W., Wu, W.*, So, K-F. Shum,D.K.Y.: Chondroitinase ABC promotes axonal regeneration of Clarke's neurons after spinal cord injury. NeuroReport, 11:1063-1067, 2000.

  22. Chai,H., Wu, W.*, So, K.F., Yip, H.: Survival and regeneration of motoneurons in adult rats by re-implantation of ventral root following spinal root avulsion. NeuroReport, 11:1249-1252, 2000.

  23. Jin, Y., Tay, D., So, K.F., Wu, W.: Expression of c-jun in the lateral vestibular nucleus following spinal cord injury and peripheral nerve graft transplantation in adult rats. J. of Neurocytology 29(2):91-97, 2000. 

  24. Yaun, Q, Wu, W.*, So, K-F, Cheung, A, D.M.Prevette, D.M., Oppenheim, R.W.: Effects of neurotrophic factors on motoneuron survival following axonal injury in newborn rats. NeuroReport, 11:2237-2241, 2000.

  25. Chan, Y.M., Wu, W.*, Yip, H., So, K-F, Oppenheim, R.: Caspase inhibitors promote the survival of avulsed spinal motoneurons in neonatal rats. NeuroReport, 12:541-545, 2001.

  26. Chan, Y.M., Wu, W.*, Yip, H., So, K-F.: Development of the regenerative capacity of postnatal axotomized rat spinal motoneurons. NeuroReport, 13:1071-1074, 2002.

  27. Cheung, Z.H., So, K-F, Lu, Q., Yip, H.K., Wu, W., Shan, J.J., Pang, P.K.T. and Chen, C.F.: Enhanced survival and regeneration of axotomied retinal ganglion cells by a mixture of herbal extracts. J. Neurotrauma. 19(3):369-378, 2002. 

  28. Cheung, Z.H., Yip, H.K., Wu, W. and So, K.-F. Axotomy induces cytochrome c release in retinal ganglion cells. NeuroReport, 14:279-282, 2003.

  29. Yick, L.W., Cheung, P.T., So, K-F and Wu,W.*: Axonal regeneration of Clarke’s neurons beyond the spinal cord injury scar after treatment with chondroitinase ABC. Exp. Neurol. 182:160-168, 2003.

  30. Chan, Y.M., Yick, L.W., Yip, H.K., So, K-F, Oppenheim, R.W. and Wu, W.*: Inhibition of caspases promotes long-term survival and reinnervation by axotomized spinal motoneurons of denervated muscle in newborn rats. Exp. Neurol. 181:190-203, 2003.

  31. Wu, W.*, Li, L., Yick, L-W, Chai, H., Xie,Y.Y., Yang, Y., Prevette, D.M. and Oppenheim, R.W.: GDNF and BDNF alter the expression of NOS, c-Jun, and p75 and prevent motoneuron death following spinal root avulsion. J. Neurotrauma 20(6):603-612, 2003.

  32. Yaun, Q, Xie, Y.Y., So, K-F, Wu, W.*: Inflammatory response of spinal motoneurons to axonal injury in newborn rats. Dev. Neurosci. 25:72-78, 2003.

  33. Xie, Y.Y., Yao, Z.B., Chai, H., Wong, W.M. and Wu, W.*: Expression and role of low-ffinity nerve growth factor receptor (p75) in spinal motor neurons of aged rats following axonal injury. Dev. Neurosci. 25:65-71, 2003.

  34. Xie, Y.Y., Yao, Z.B., Chai, H., Wong, W.M. and Wu, W.*: Potential roles of Alzheimer precursor protein A4 and b-Amyloid in the survival and function of aged spinal motor neurons following axonal injuries. J. Neurosci. Res. 73:557-564, 2003.

  35. Gu, H.Y., Chai, H., Zhang, J.Y., Yao, Z.B., Zhou, L.H., Bruce, I. and Wu, W.*: Survival, regeneration and functional recovery of motoneurons in adult rats by reimplantation of ventral root following spinal root avulsion. Europ. J. Neurosci. 19:2123-2131, 2004.

  36. Yick,L-W., So, K-F, Cheung, P.T. and Wu, W.*: Lithium chloride reinforces the regeneration-promoting effect of chondroitinase ABC on rubrospinal neurons after spinal cord injury. J. of Neurotrauma, 21(7):932-943, 2004.

  37. Wu, W.*, Chai, H., Zhang J.Y., Gu, H.Y., Xie, Y.Y. and Zhou, L.H.: Delayed implantation of a peripheral nerve graft reduces motoneuron survival but does not affect regeneration following spinal root avulsion in adult rats. J. of Neurotrauma, 21(8): 1050-1058, 2004.

  38. Cheung, Z.H., Chan, Y.M., Siu, K.W., Yip, H.K., Wu, W., Leung, C.P., and So, K.F.: Regulation of caspase activation in axotomized retinal ganglion cells. Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 25:383-393, 2004.

  39. Zhang, X.M., Ng, H.L., Tanner, J.A., Wu, W., Copeland, N.G., Jenkins, N.A. and Huang, J.D.: Highly restricted expression of Cre recombinase in cerebellar Purkinje cells. Genesis, 40:45-51, 2004.

  40. Gu, H.Y., Chai, H., Zhang, J.Y., Yao, Z.B., Zhou, L.H., Wong, W.M., Bruce, I. and Wu, W.*: Survival, regeneration and functional recovery of motoneurons after delayed reimplantation of ventral root in adult rat. Exp. Neurol. 192:89-99, 2005.

  41. Zeng Y.S., Ding, Y., Wu, L.Z., Guo, J.S., Li, H.B. and Wu, W.*: Co-transplantation of Schwann cells promotes the survival and differentiation of neural stem cells transplanted into the injured spinal cord. Dev. Neurosci. 27:20-26, 2005.

  42. Zhang, C.W., Lu, Q., You, S.W., Zhi, Y., Yip, H.K., Wu, W., So, H.F., Cui, Q.: CNTF and BDNF have similar effects on retinal ganglion cell survival but differential effects on nitric oxide synthase expression soon after optic nerve injury. IOVS, 46:1497-1503, 2005. 

  43. Zhou, LH and Wu, W.*: Antisense oligos to neuronal nitric oxide synthase aggravate motoneuron death induced by spinal root avulsion in adult rat. Exp. Neurol. 197:84-92, 2006.

  44. Yuan, QJ, Scott, DE, So,KF, Wu, W.*: Developmental changes of nitric oxide synthase expression in the rat hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system. Anat. Record. 288A:36-45, 2006.

  45. Yang, Y., Xie, Y.Y., Chai, H., Fan, F., Liu, S.H., Liu, H., Bruce, I., and Wu, W.*: Microarray Analysis of Gene Expression Patterns in Adult Spinal Motoneurons after Different types of Axonal Injuries. Brain Res. 1075:1-12, 2006.

  46. Yuan, QJ; Hu, B; So, KF; Wu, W.*: Age-related reexpression of p75 in axotomized motoneurons. NeuroReport, 17:711-715, 2006. .

  47. Zhou, LH and Wu, W.*: Survival of injured spinal motoneurons in adult rat upon treatment with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factorat 2 weeks but not at 4 weeks after root avulsion. J. of Neirotrauma 23:920-927, 2006.

  48. Chu, T.H., and Wu, W.*: Nitric oxide synthase inhibitor attenuates number of regenerating spinal motoneurons in adult rats. NeuroReport, 17:969-973, 2006.

  49. Yuan, Q., Scott, D.E., So, K.F. and Wu, W.*: The response of magnocellular neurons of the hypothalamo-neurohyphyseal system to hypophysectomy, nitric oxide synthase expression as well as survival and regeneration in developing versus adult rats. Brain Res. 1113:45-53, 2006.

  50. Ji BX, Li MW, Wu W, Yick LW, Lee XH, Shao ZH, Wang J, So KF, McCoy JM, Pepinsky RB, Mi S and Relton JK: LINGO-1 antagonist promotes functional recovery and axonal sprouting after spinal cord injury. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, 33:311-320, 2006.

  51. Ellis-Behnke RG, Liang YX, Tay DKC, Kau PWF, Schneider GE, Zhang S, Wu W, So KF. Nano hemostat solution: immediate hemostasis at the nanoscale. Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine 2:207-215, 2006.

  52. Zeng, YS, Nie JH, Zhang W, Chen SJ and Wu W*: Morphine acts via µ-opioid receptors to enhance spinal regeneration and synaptic reconstruction of primary afferent fibers injured by sciatic nerve crush. Brain Res. 1130:108-113, 2007.

  53. Yuan, Q., Scott, D.E., So, K.F. and Wu, W.*: Differential activation of c-fos immunoreactivity after hypophysectomy in developing and adult rats. Anat. Record. 290:1050-1056, 2007.

  54. Yuan, Q., Scott, D.E., So, K.F. and Wu, W.*: A Subpopulation of Reactive Astrocytes at Affected Neuronal Perikarya after Hypophysectomy in Adult Rats. Brain Res. 1159:18-27, 2007.

  55. Guo JS, Zeng YS, Liang YX, Wang L, Su HX, Wu W*.: Cyclosporine affects the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in culture. NeuroReport, 18(9):863-868, 2007.

  56. Su HX, Chu TH, Wu W*: Lithium enhances proliferation and neuronal differentiation of neural progenitor cells in vitro and after transplantation into the adult rat spinal cord. Exp. Neurol. 206:296-307, 2007.

  57. Mi S, Hu B, Hahm K, Luo Y, Hui SK, Yuan Q, Wong WM, Wang L, Su HX, Chu TH, Guo JS, Zhang WM, So KF, Pepinsky B, Shao ZH, Graff C, Garber E, Jung V, Wu XK,  Wu W* LINGO-1 Antagonist Promotes Spinal Cord Remyelination and Axonal Integrity in MOG-Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis. Nature Medicine, 13:1228-1233, 2007.

  58. Mi S, Hu B, Hahm K, Luo Y, Hui SK, Yuan Q, Wong WM, Wang L, Su HX, Chu TH, Guo JS, Zhang WM, So KF, Pepinsky B, Shao ZH, Graff C, Garber E, Jung V, Wu XK,  Wu W*: Rodent EAE model for the study of axon integrity and remyelination. Nature Protocols, DOI:10.1038/nprot.2007.389.

  59. Guo JS, Su HX, Zeng YS, Liang YX, Ellis-Behnke RG, So KF and Wu W*: Reknitting the spinal cord using a self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffold to promote functional recovery. Nanomedicine, 3:311-321, 2007.

  60. Fu QL, Hu B, Wu W, Pepinsky RB, Mi S and So KF: Blocking LINGO-1 Function Promotes Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival Following Ocular Hypertension and Optic Nerve Transection. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 49 (3):975-85, 2008.

  61. Fu QL, Wu W, Wang H, Li X, Lee VWH and So KF: Up-regulated endogenous erythropoietin/erythropoietin receptor system and exogenous erythropoietin rescue retinal ganglion cells after chronic ocular hypertension. Cell Mol Neurobiol  28:317-329, 2008.

  62. Cheung ZH, Leung MCP, Yip HK, Wu W, Siu FKW and So KF: A neuroprotective herbal mixture inhibits caspase-3-independent apoptosis in retinal ganglion cells. Cell Mol Neurobiol. 28:137-155, 2008.

  63. Chu TH, Du Y and Wu W*: Motor nerve graft is better than sensory nerve graft for survival and regeneration of motoneurons after spinal root avulsion in adult rats. Exp. Neurol. 212:562-565, 2008.

  64. Wang L, Hu B, Wong WM, Lu P, Wu W and Xu XM: Glial and axonal responses in areas of Wallerian degeneration of the corticospinal and ascending tracts after spinal cord dorsal funiculotomy. Neuropathology, doi:10.1111/j.1440-1789.2008.00969.x, 2008.

  65. Su HX, Zhang WM, Guo JS, Guo AC, Yuan QJ, Wu W*. Neural progenitor cells enhance the survival and axonal regeneration of injured motoneurons after transplantation into the avulsed ventral horn of adult rats. J. Neurotrauma. 26(1):67-80, 2009.

  66. Chu TH, Li SY, Guo A, Wong WM, Yuan Q, Wu W*. Implantation of Neurotrophic Factor-treated Sensory Nerve Graft Enhances Survival and Axonal Regeneration of Motoneurons after Spinal Root Avulsion. J Neuropatho & Exp Neurol 68(1):94-101, 2009.

  67. Su HX, Zhang WM, Guo JS, Guo AC, Yuan QJ, Wu W*. Lithium enhances the neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells in vitro and after transplantation into the avulsed ventral horn of adult rats through the secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. J. Neurochemistry. 108:1385-1398, 2009.

  68. Guo JS, Leung KK, Su HX, Yuan QJ, Wang L, Chu TH, Wenming Zhang WM, Pu KS, Ng KP, Wong WM, Dai X, Wu W*. Self assembling peptide nanofiber scaffold promotes the reconstruction of acute injured brain. Nanomedicine, (in press), 2009.

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