Faculty Detail   
Name
 
Campus Address
Phone  
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 Education

Medical School  Shanghai Medical University    1990  Bachelor of Medicine 
Graduate  Shanghai Medical University    1995  MD/PhD 
Graduate  University of Missouri-Columbia     1998  Master of Arts 

 Certifications

ECFMG  1997 
Certificate of excellent performance on RITE  2003 
Board certified in Neurology, ABPN  2004 
Board certified in Clinical Neurophysiology, ABPN  2005 

Graduate Biomedical Sciences Affiliations
Comprehensive Neuroscience Center 

Biographical Sketch 
Liang Lu, MD,PhD, MA, joined the department of Neurology in July of 2004 as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Lu received his Bachelor of Medicine degree from Shanghai Medical University. He also completed an M.D./Ph.D at the Shanghai Institute of Neurology, a WHO collaborating center for research and training in neuroscience. Dr. Lu then came to the United States in 1996 and in 1998 obtained a M.A. degree in Biological Science from the University of Missouri-Columbia. As a physician-scientist, Dr.Lu is involved in a continuum of efforts from laboratory bench to patient bedside. His goal is to provide patients with compassionate and effective care, and the dynamic translational medicine.

Society Memberships
Organization Name Position Held Org Link
American Academy of Neurology  Member since 1999   
American Neurological Association  Member since 2013   
Society for Neuroscience  Member since 2007   
 

Research/Clinical Interest
Title
The role of a network RNA-binding proteins in ALS pathogenesis
Description
Dr. Lu’s lab is interested in the aberrant RNA processing pathways in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The lab applies molecular biology techniques to analyze animal and cellular models of ALS. Together with Dr. King, Dr.lu’s lab has discovered novel role of HuR in regulating two RNA binding proteins, TDP-43 and FUS/TLS, genetically linked to ALS. We demonstrate that HuR is essential for proper TDP-43 expression through specific binding to TDP-43 3’UTR. Loss of HuR function in primary astrocytes leads to cortical and motor neuron toxicity. These findings provide further evidence that impaired HuR function may contribute to motor neuron degeneration. This holds great promise for identifying therapeutic targets and bio-markers for this devastating disease. The lab is currently focusing on the self- and cross-regulatory molecular interactions of several RNA-binding proteins that are critical for stress response, protein degradation and cell survival.

Selected Publications 
Suswam E., Li Y., Zhang X., Gillespie G.Y., Li X., Shacka J.J., Liang Lu, Zheng L., King P. H. (2008). Tristetraprolin Down-Regulates Interleukin-8 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Malignant Glioma Cells. Cancer Research. 68(3): 674-682  18245466 
Liang Lu, Zheng L.,Viera L., Suswam E., Li Y., Li X., Estevez A.G., King, P.H. (2007). Mutant Cu/Zn-Superoxide Dismutase associated with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis destabilizes VEGF mRNA and downregulates its expression. J Neurosci. 27:7929-7938  17652584 
Oh S.J. Hatanaka Y., Hemmi S., Young A.M., Scheufele M.L. Nations S.P., Liang Lu, Claussen G.C., Wolfe G.I. (2006). Repetitive nerve stimulation of facial muscles in MuSK antibody-positive myasthenia gravis. Muscle Nerve. 33(4):500-504.  16392120 
LU C.Z. Liang Lu, Hao Z.S., Xiao B.G. and Arnason B.G. (1993). Antibody secreting cells to acetylcholine receptor and to presynaptic membrane protein in seronegative myasthenia gravis. J Neuroimmunology 43:145-9  8384634 
Kazamel M, Cutter G, Claussen G, Alsharabati M, Oh SJ, Liang Lu, King PH. (2013). Epidemiological features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a large clinic-based African American population. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration,14 (5-6): 334-7.  3732496 
Suswam EA, Shacka JJ, Walker K, Liang Lu, Li X, Si Y, Zhang X, Zheng L, Nabors LB, Cao H, King PH. (2013). Mutant tristetraprolin: a potent inhibitor of malignant glioma cell growth. J Neurooncol., 113(2): 195-205.  3679321 
Xuelin Li, Wei-Jye Lin, Ching-Yi, Chen, Ying Si, Xioawen, Zhang, Liang Lu, Esther Suswam, Lei Zheng and Peter H. King (2012). KSRP: A Checkpoint for Inflammatory Cytokine Production in Astrocytes. Clia. 60: 1773-1784.  3629690 
Liang Lu, Wang S., Zheng L., Li X., Suswam E., Zhang X. Wheeler C.G., Nabors, L.B. Filippova N., King, P.H. (2009). Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-linked Mutant SOD1 Sequesters Hu Antigen R (HuR) and TIA-1-related Protein (TIAR): Implications for Impaired Post-transcriptional Regulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor. J Biol Chem. 284: 33989-33998.  2797169 
Shin J.Oh, Rohit Dhall, Angela Young, Marla Morgan, Liang Lu and Gwendolyn Claussen (2008). Statins may aggravate myasthenia gravis. Muscle & Nerve. 38: 1101-1107.  2670554 
Xuelin Li, Liang Lu, Donald J. Bush, X. Zhang, Esther Suswam, Lei Zheng and Peter H. King (2009). Mutant Copper-Zinc Superoxide Dismutase Associated with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Binds to Adenine- and Uridine-rich Stability Elements in the VEGF 3’ Untranslated Region. J of Neurochemistry 108: 1032-1044.  2646909 
Liang Lu, Qiao J., and Lu C.Z. (1996). A 14kDa protein of non-immunoglobulin serum components in myasthenia gravis. Clinical Neuroscience 4(2): 66-69.   
Liang Lu and Lu C.Z. (1995). Immune-mediated neuropathies. Clinical Neurosci. 3(3): 176-178.   
Liang Lu and Lu C.Z. (1994). A short plasma exchange protocol in seronegative myasthenia gravis. Clinical Neuroscience 2(4): 210-214.   
Ohira M, Silcox J, Haygood D, Harper-King V, Alsharabati M, Liang Lu, Morgan MB, Young AM, Claussen GC, King PH, Oh SJ. (2013). Electromyography tests in patients with implanted cardiac devices are safe regardless of magnet placement. Muscle & Nerve. 47: 17-22.   
Oh SJ, Morgan MB, Liang Lu, Hatanaka Y, Hemmi S, Young A, Claussen GC. (2012). Different characteristic phenotypes according to antibody in myasthenia gravis. J Clin Neuromuscul Dis. 142): 57-65.    
Shin J.Oh, Marla, Morgan, Liang Lu, Yuki Hatanaka, Shoji Hemmi, Angela Young,and Gwendolyn Claussen (2009). Racial differences in myasthenia gravis in Alabama. Muscle & Nerve. 39: 328-332   
 

Keywords
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Posttranscriptional regulation, RNA-binding protein.