Research

Dr. Sun's research fields of interest are focused on the regulation of microvascular function via NO/sGC pathway that serves as a key player in a variety of aspects of vascular regulation, and as a specific target of oxidative species such as superoxide, peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide as well. Specifically, during the pathological development of vascular dysfunction, such as in vascular aging, metabolic syndrome, heart failure, and pulmonary and systemic hypertension, reduced activation of eNOS and enhanced oxidative stress contribute significantly to the altered vascular NO/sGC signaling. By using isolated arterioles to assess flow-induced dilation and shear stress-induced release of NO, Dr. Sun demonstrated that all pathological change-associated endothelial dysfunction is characterized by an impaired NO bioavailability, as a function of decreased shear stress-induced eNOS phosphorylation, increased superoxide formation and decreased antioxidant capacity, wherein, changes in renin angiotensin system (RAS) play key roles. Novel methods used in my lab include but not limited to, 1): a perfusion system containing two serial connected vessels chambers for the study of EDHF bioassay and electrophysiology of single vessels. 2): a vessel culture perfusion system containing ten separated chambers, which allows to synchronically evaluate the function of ten single vessels isolated from different animal models or different sexes in an identical experimental environment. 3): a perfusing freshly isolated single vessels to obtained endothelial lysates for detecting specific endothelial mRNA(s) and protein(s), and 5): HPLC-fluorescence detector-based measurement of vascular EETs, mitochondrial/cytosolic superoxide, homocysteine, angiotensins, protoporphyrins, ferrochelatase activity etc. from single isolated and pressurized vessels.

Publications

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Memberships and Affiliations

• Graduate Faculty Council Graduate School’s Membership Committee

Teaching Responsibilities

• Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences: Mammalian Physiology
• School of Health Sciences: Mammalian Physiology
• Dental School: Mammalian Physiology