Biography

Dr. Xiang graduated with a bachelor's degree from Wuhan University in 2005. He received his Ph.D. from the Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Kunming Institute of Zoology) in 2012. After completing his doctorate, he started as an Assistant Professor at the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2015. In 2017, Dr. Xiang joined the Institute of Human Aging at Nanchang University, where he currently leads the research group focusing on metabolic control and aging.

Research Areas

Skeletal muscle aging, Muscle atrophy, Sarcopenia, Metabolic regulation of aging.

Research Summary

Skeletal muscle is integral to metabolic regulation and the aging process, serving as a critical site for energy metabolism through the catabolism of glycogen and fatty acids. It also secretes myokines—endocrine factors essential for regulating systemic inflammation and metabolic health. The age-associated decline in muscle mass, known as sarcopenia, directly compromises bodily functions and metabolic rate, thereby accelerating senescence across various biological systems. Interventions such as targeted exercise regimens and nutritional modifications can effectively mitigate the progression of muscle aging. Consequently, these interventions facilitate the metabolic regulation of skeletal muscle, which in turn exerts a decelerative effect on the aging of other tissues and organs, thus promoting overall health and longevity.

In our research, we adopt a cross-species, multi-omics approach to elucidate the factors that govern metabolism and sarcopenia. Our studies across multiple species have led to the identification of a novel class of channel proteins, aerolysin-like pore-forming proteins, which have been shown to counteract malnutrition-induced excessive protein degradation (as reported in PNAS 2014; iScience 2023; FASEB Journal 2023). Additionally, our research has uncovered that the polymer poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate can significantly delay the onset of sarcopenia, thereby extending lifespan at the individual level (SMM 2023). From natural products, we have also identified a compound, handelin, which can delay the progression of sarcopenia and extend individual lifespan (JCSM 2023; Biogerontology 2022). Currently, we are collaborating with Professor Tian's research group, engaging in the discovery of new genes that regulate metabolism and retard the aging process. Leveraging multi-omics data, we continue to identify and characterize novel compounds that promise to slow the aging process, with a particular focus on ameliorating skeletal muscle aging and enhancing resistance to sarcopenia. This interdisciplinary and integrative research approach highlights the potential of molecular and genetic insights to translate into therapeutic strategies for aging and associated metabolic disorders.

Publications

Full publication for web presence

Recent Publications

Selected publications:

Lan, X. Q#., Deng, C. J#., Wang, Q. Q., Zhao, L. M., Jiao, B. W., & Xiang, Y*. (2024). The Role of TGF-β Signaling in Muscle Atrophy, Sarcopenia and Cancer Cachexia. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 114513.

Huang, T., Zhou, J., Wang, B., Wang, X., Xiao, W., Yang, M., ... Xiang, Y*& Lan, X*. (2023). Integrated Amino Acids and Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Arginine Transporter SLC7A2 Is a Novel Regulator of Myogenic Differentiation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(1), 95.

Hui-Jie Zhang#, Ben-Hui Wang#, Xiang Wang#, Chun-Ping Huang#, Si-Man Xu, Jia-Li Wang, Tian-E Huang, Wan-Li Xiao, Xiao-Li Tian, Xin-Qiang Lan*, Qi-Quan Wang* & Yang Xiang*, Handelin alleviates cachexia- and aging-induced skeletal muscle atrophy by improving protein homeostasis and inhibiting inflammation, Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle 2023 15 (1), 173-188

Huijie Zhang, Weirong Zeng, Ming-ming Zhao, Jiali Wang, Qiquan Wang, Ting Chen, Yuyan Zhang, Wenhui Lee, Shenghan Chen, Yun Zhang*, Xinqiang Lan*, Yang Xiang*, Caenorhabditis elegans LIN‐24, a homolog of bacterial pore‐forming toxin, protects the host from microbial infection. The FASEB Journal. 2023. DOI:10.1096/fj.202300063R. (MEDLINE:37682220)

Qi-Quan Wang, Xin-Qiang Lan, Xue-Song Wei, Si-Man Xu, Ling-Zhen Liu, Xian-Ling Bian, Lin Zeng, Xiao-Long Guo, Ying-Qi Guo, Wen-Hui Lee, Yang Xiang*, Yun Zhang*. Amphibian pore-forming protein βγ-CAT drives metabolite release from small extracellular vesicles through channel formation. Zoological Research, 2023, 44(4): 739-742. doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2022.510

Yang Xiang*, Qi-Quan Wang, Xin-Qiang Lan, Hui-Jie Zhang, Dai-Xu Wei*. Function and treatment strategies of β-hydroxybutyrate in aging. Smart Materials in Medicine. 2023;4:160-72.

Liu Ling-Zhen, Long Liu, Zhi-Hong Shi, Xian-Ling Bian, Zi-Ru Si, Qi-Quan Wang, Yang Xiang*, Yun Zhang*. Amphibian pore-forming protein βγ-CAT drives extracellular nutrient scavenging under cell nutrient deficiency. Iscience. 2023;26(5). (WOS:001001126800001)

Zhang H, Qin J, Lan X, Zeng W, Zhou J, Huang TE, Xiao WL, Wang QQ, Sun S, Su W, Nie W, Yang S, Yang J, Gao Q, Xiang Y*. Handelin extends lifespan and healthspan of Caenorhabditis elegans by reducing ROS generation and improving motor function. Biogerontology, 2022, 23 (1), 115-128. doi: 10.1007/s10522-022-09950-5. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35038074. (WOS:000743394500001)

Xiang Yang, Chao Yan, Xiaolong Guo, Kaifeng Zhou, Qian Gao, Xuan Wang, Feng Zhao, Jie Liu, Wen-Hui Lee, Yun Zhang. Host-derived, pore-forming toxin–like protein and trefoil factor complex protects the host against microbial infection. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2014;111(18):6702-7. (Cover story, Cited by Nature Reviews Microbiology and Aging Research Reviews)

Research Project

1. Mechanism of Organ and Tissue Aging Sequence Affecting Sub-Health and Disease, Key Research and Development Plan of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Project Number: 2023YFC3603301 (Core Member and Sub-Project Leader, Project Leader: Professor Tian Xiao-Li), Funding: 1,050,000 RMB, Duration: December 2023 - November 2026.

2. Mechanisms of Exercise-Nutrition Improvements on Metabolic Homeostasis, Aging Delay, and Health Promotion, Key Research and Development Plan of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Project Number: 2020YFC2002903 (Sub-Project Leader), Funding: 1,080,000 RMB, Duration: June 2020 - June 2023.

3. Jiangxi Province Outstanding Young Talent Support Plan, Project Number: 20192BCB23003, Funding: 300,000 RMB, Duration: January 2019 - December 2022.

4. Mechanisms of Somatostatin Protein and Thrombin Receptor Co-regulating Endothelial Cell Aging, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Project Number: 81873814, Direct Funding: 610,000 RMB, Duration: January 2019 - December 2022.

5. Mechanism Study on Intestinal Flora Pore-Forming Toxins Affecting Lipid Metabolism Through Mitochondrial Function Regulation, Jiangxi Province Outstanding Young Fund Project (Youth Key Project), Project Number: 2018ACB21036, Funding: 200,000 RMB, Duration: January 2018 - December 2021.

6. Study on the Mechanism of Intestinal Flora Pore-Forming Toxins and Trefoil Factor Complex in Vascular Endothelial Aging, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Major Research Plan Cultivation Project, Project Number: 91649120, Direct Funding: 600,000 RMB, Duration: January 2017 - December 2019.

7. Isolation and Mechanism Study of Active Components of Yunnan Wild Chrysanthemum in Preventing Skin Photodamage, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Open Fund, Project Number: GREKF18-10, Funding: 70,000 RMB, Duration: June 2018 - May 2021.

8. Role of Amphibian Pore-Forming Toxin-Like Proteins in Anti-Infection Immunity, Chinese Academy of Sciences Talent Project West Light, Funding: 300,000 RMB, Duration: January 2015 - December 2017.

9. Role of Zebrafish Aerolysin Toxin-Like Protein Zebralysin in Anti-Infection Immunity, Yunnan Provincial Natural Science Foundation General Project, Project Number: 2014FB175, Funding: 100,000 RMB, Duration: January 2015 - December 2017.

10. Study on the Role of Amorphous Body Crystalline Protein and Trefoil Factor Complex in the Anti-Infection Immunity of the Bigfoot Bell Toad, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Youth Fund Project, Project Number: 31301884, Funding: 240,000 RMB, Duration: January 2014 - December 2016.