Wei-Yang Lu

Scientist
Professor

Why I Became a Scientist

When I was a teenager I wanted to be a medical doctor. However, soon after obtaining a medical degree from Shandong University in China, I was obligated to take a junior position in the Department of Physiology at the same university. Many years after postgraduate studies on neurophysiology, I was gradually attracted into the area and eventually became a neuroscientist. I never regretted to pursue a career in science because my life is fulfilled with exciting and inspiring experiences. My colleagues and I are enjoying satisfactions from the journey in exploring the mysteries of biological mechanisms, which may not be relevant to our current day-to-day life, but will be beneficial for human life in the future. We enthusiastically welcome new members to join our research team. With the comprehensive training programs in the laboratory, many students have become scientists.

Research Summary

Our research engages two major topics.

The first theme focuses on cellular and molecular mechanisms through which cytokines regulate central synaptic transmission and plasticity under physiological and/or disease conditions. Specifically, we use animal models to study how acute and chronic visceral (e.g. pulmonary) inflammations/injuries affect the activity of microglia, the profile of neurogenesis and the ultra-structure of synapses, as well as glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the cortex and hippocampus.

The second theme is of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling in non-neuronal cells. Besides its pivotal role in the brain, GABA is a common signaling molecule outside the central nervous system (CNS). Pioneer studies in our laboratory revealed autocrine GABA signaling systems in lung epithelial cells and alveolar macorphages. Results from our recent studies suggest that these GABA signaling systems balance the Th1/Th2 cell responses in the lung by modulating T-lymphocytes and macrophage functions, maintaining pulmonary homeostasis.

Research Questions

How systemic inflammations contribute to neurodegeneration and affect cognitive functions?

Acute impairment of cognition is commonly observed in elderly patients suffering with severe inflammations in peripheral organs, which frequently induce innate immune responses in the CNS being expressed as microglia activation. In addition, aging-related neurodegenerative diseases are often associated with ongoing inflammatory reactions in the brain. We are studying the influence of circulating Th1/Th2 cytokines on microglia polarization, neurogenesis and synaptic functions in the hippocampus of mice at differenct ages.

Does modification of GABA signaling in the peripheral affect inflammatory reactions in the CNS?

Besides its critical roles in the CNS, GABA is produced and secreted by several types of endocrine cells, e.g. pancreatic β-cells and adrenal chromaffin cells, thus GABA exists in the circulating plasma at low concentration. A large body of evidence indicates that GABA regulates activities of endocrine and immune cells producing anti-inflammatory actions. We are investigating whether modification of GABA signaling in the peripheral alleviates inflammatory reactions in the CNS and hence defer the process of neurodegeneration.

Education

MD Shandong University, China (1983)
MSc Shandong University, China (1987)
PhD Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada (1996)

Training

Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Physiology University of Toronto (1996 – 2000)
(Fellowships of Medical Research Council of Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada)

Awards

NARSAD Essel Investigator, 2006
New Investigator Award, 2002 Canadian Institutes of Health Research
New Investigator Award, 2002 Heart and Stroke Foundation (declined)
The Henry J.M. Barnett Research Scholarship Award, 2002 Heart and Stroke Foundation (declined).
Research Fellowship, 2000 Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Research Fellowship, 1999 Medical Research Council of Canada, (MRC, declined).
Research Fellowship, 1999 Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC)
Stroke Investigator Award, 1998 Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario
Research Fellowship, 1996 NCE (Neuroscience)