Dr. Ze Zheng

Biography

Ze Zheng is an Assistant Professor at the UW Comprehensive Diabetes Center, affiliated with the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He holds an MBBS and a PhD. His research focuses on the interactions between metabolism and blood clot lysis, with a particular emphasis on fibrinolysis. The primary mechanism of fibrinolysis involves the serine protease tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), which plays a crucial role in dissolving blood clots. His studies highlight a novel source of regulatory mechanisms for endogenous basal plasma tPA derived from hepatocytes, which is significant for fibrinolysis in response to vascular injuries. Zheng's research has shown that the activity of tPA is primarily inhibited by the serpin plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), indicating that the balance between tPA and PAI-1 in plasma is essential for preventing excessive clotting. Recent findings have suggested that hepatocytes can sense metabolic stresses that disrupt the production of tPA and PAI-1, influencing impaired fibrinolysis in obesity. Zheng aims to understand the role of hepatocyte-derived tPA in basal fibrinolysis and hemostasis and to develop diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic strategies for combatting conditions like atherosclerosis and thrombosis. His specific research interests include the link between reduced fibrinolysis and dyslipidemia, circadian regulation of basal fibrinolysis, the role of hepatocyte tPA in liver injuries, increased fibrinolysis in hemophilia, and the dynamics of fibrinolysis in COVID-19.

Research Interests

Experience