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Home - Science - Scientist Directory - Xia, Lijun

Lijun Xia, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor and Program Chair
Cardiovascular Biology Research Program

Merrick Foundation Chair in Biomedical Research

Adjunct Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

My 101

My research focuses on O-glycans, a sugar that your body makes. In my lab, we’ve found O-glycans are important in the development of the blood and lymphatic vascular system. Without this sugar, the body doesn’t know if it should grow blood vessels or pieces of the lymphatic system, or how to connect them properly. This can lead to many diseases such as cancer metastasis and fatty liver disease. We are working to understand how to prevent these potentially deadly conditions.

My lab also studies the role of glycans on platelets, the smallest blood cell, in the formation of abnormal blood clots, which are the cause of common forms of heart attack and stroke.

In patients with colitis and colorectal tumors, we’ve found that O-glycans are different than in patients with normal intestinal systems. So, we’re also exploring whether abnormalities of this sugar in the intestines might actually cause these diseases—in hopes of using the knowledge we gain to treat these intestinal diseases.

Research

O-glycosylation is a common protein posttranslational modification and is increasingly appreciated as having a wide and yet largely unexplored spectrum of biological functions. My lab studies the biological functions of O-glycans/O-glycoproteins in health and disease using gene-targeted mice as models.

Mucin-type O-glycans (O-glycans) are highly expressed on blood, endothelial, and epithelial cells. Our published studies have identified new roles for O-glycans in blood cell trafficking via O-glycosylation of selectin ligands on leukocytes, vascular integrity via the O-glycoprotein podoplanin, and intestinal inflammation/cancer development via mucins on intestinal epithelial cells. These studies integrate our strengths and background in glycobiology, vascular biology, and hematology with expertise in mouse models. Our main goals are to uncover new in vivo functions of O-glycans/O-glycoproteins in endothelial cells, platelets, and intestinal epithelial cells, and to determine mechanisms by which O-glycoproteins regulate vascular integrity, inflammation, and tumorigenesis.

We are currently focused on the following: 1) Roles of O-glycoprotein ligands and their platelet receptors in vascular integrity and thrombosis; 2) Genetic bleeding disorders with a focus on platelet genetic disorders; and 3) Role of intestinal mucus O-glycans in host and microbiota homeostasis.

Brief CV

Education
M.D., Binzhou Medical College, China, 1982
M.S., Qingdao University Medical College, China, 1990
Ph.D., Soochow University Medical College, China, 1995

Honors and Awards
Scientist Development Award, American Heart Association, 2003
Scientific Consultant, American Stem Cell, Inc., CA, 2006
Merrick Award for Outstanding Research, OMRF, 2007
Merrick Foundation Distinguished Scientist, OMRF, 2009
Edward L. and Thelma Gaylord Prize for Scientific Achievement, OMRF, 2012
Edward L. and Thelma Gaylord Prize for Scientific Achievement, OMRF, 2021

Memberships
American Society of Hematology
Member, Society for Glycobiology

Joined OMRF scientific staff in 2002

Publications

View more publications

Recent Publications

Chandrakesan P, Yao J, Qu D, May R, Weygant N, Ge Y, Ali N, Sureban SM, Gude M, Vega K, Bannerman-Menson E, Xia L, Bronze M, An G, Houchen CW. Retraction Note: Dclk1, a tumor stem cell marker, regulates pro-survival signaling and self-renewal of intestinal tumor cells. Mol Cancer 24:120, 2025 April, PMID: 40253332, PMCID: PMC12008944

Xia L. Gasdermin D and TMA. Blood 144:247-248, 2024 July, PMID: 39023873, PMCID: PMC11302444

Shan X, Rathore S, Kniffen D, Gao L, Nitin, Letef CL, Shi H, Ghosh S, Zandberg W, Xia L, Bergstrom KSB. Ablation of intestinal epithelial sialylation predisposes to acute and chronic intestinal inflammation in mice. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol:101378, 2024 July, PMID: 38992465, PMCID: PMC11459652

Selected Publications

Shao B, Hoover C, Shi H, Kondo Y, Lee RH, Chen J, Shan X, Song J McDaniel JM, Zhou M, McGee S, Vanhoorelbeke K, Bergmeier W, Lopez JA, George JN, Xia L. Deletion of platelet CLEC-2 decreases GPIba-mediated integrin aIIb3 activation and decreases the thrombosis in TTP. Blood. 2022 Apr 21;139(16):2523-2533. PMID: 35157766, PMCID: PMC9029097

Hoover C, Kondo Y, Shao B, McDaniel MJ, Lee R, McGee S, Whiteheart S, Bergmeier W, McEver, RP, Xia L. Heightened activation of embryonic megakaryocyte causes aneurysms in the developing brain of mice lacking podoplanin. Blood, 2021 May 20;137(20):2756-2769. PMID: 33619517, PMCID: PMC8138551

Bergstrom K, Shan X, Casero D, Batushansky A, Lagishetty V, Jacobs JP, Hoover C. Kondo Y, Shao B, Gao L, Zandberg W, Noyovitz B, McDaniel JM, Gibson DL, Pakpour S, Kazemian N, McGee S, Houchen CW, Rao CV, Griffin TM, Sonnenburg JL, McEver RP, Braun J, and Xia L. Proximal colon-derived O-glycosylated mucus encapsulates and modulates the microbiota. Science, 2020 Oct 22, 370, 467 - 472. PMID: 33093110, PMCID: PMC8132455

Bergstrom K, Liu X, Zhao Y, Gao N, Wu Q, Song K, Cui Yi, Li Y, McDaniel JM, McGee S, Chen W, Huycke MM, Houchen CW, Zenewicz LA, West CM, Chen H, Braun J, Fu J, Xia L. Defective intestinal mucin-type O-glycosylation causes spontaneous colitis-associated cancer in mice. Gastroenterology. 2016 July;15:152-164.e11. PMID: 27059389 PMCID: PMC5068133

Pan Y, Yago T, Fu J. Herzog B, McDaniel JM, Padmaja Mehta-D’souza, Cai X, Ruan C, McEver RP, West C, Dai K, Chen H, Xia L. Podoplanin requires sialylated O-glycans for stable expression on lymphatic endothelial cells and for interaction with platelets. Blood. 2014 Dec 4;124(24):3656-65.PMID: 25336627 PMCID: PMC4256915

Herzog BH, Fu J, Wilson SJ, Hess PR, Sen A, McDaniel JM, Pan Y, Sheng M, Yago T, Silasi-Mansat R, McGee S, May F, Nieswandt B, Morris AJ, Lupu F, Coughlin SR, McEver RP, Chen H, Kahn ML, Xia L. Podoplanin maintains high endothelial venule integrity by interacting with platelet CLEC-2. Nature. 2013 Oct 3;502(7469):105-9. PMID: 23995678 PMCID: PMC3791160

Contact

Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, MS 45
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
825 N.E. 13th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Phone: (405) 271-7892
Lab: (405) 271-3979
Fax: (405) 271-3137
E-mail: Lijun-Xia@omrf.org

For media inquiries, please contact OMRF’s Office of Public Affairs at news@omrf.org.

Lab Staff

Xin Geng, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor

Jie Zhu, Ph.D.
Associate Staff Scientist

Liang Gao
Postdoctoral Scientist

Yizhi Jiang
Postdoctoral Scientist

Martijn Van Der Ent
Senior Technical Specialist

John "Michael" McDaniel
Senior Manager of Laboratory

Wei Jing, Ph.D.
Science Writer Specialist

Todd Walker
Network Support Specialist

Samuel McGee
Research Technician IV

Meixiang "Mei" Zhou
Research Technician II

Jonathan Aguero
Laboratory Assistant

Shipra Rathore
Graduate Student

Mia Pederson-Rambo
Project Coordinator I

Rachel Hubbard
Administrative Assistant II

News from the Xia lab

Dr. Xia in the Media

News from the Xia lab

OMRF study finds possible treatment for sickle cell disease
March 12, 2024

Discovery could someday reduce pain crises

OMRF awarded $2.9 million to continue gut function research
November 1, 2023

Research will focus on gastrointestinal proteins

OMRF scientists gather for annual scientific retreat
March 9, 2023

Awards presented to several junior researchers

OMRF scientists find potential life-saving use for aspirin
November 3, 2022

Disease results from overproduction of blood clots

OMRF study finds potential treatment for sickle cell disease complication
August 30, 2022

Experimental drug may reduce length, severity of attacks

OMRF experts explain the physiology of fright
October 28, 2021

What causes the physiological reaction of panic when we know intellectually that we will escape the haunted house unscathed?

A Promising Future
October 12, 2021

Okay. We still have a ways to go in this decade. But even in spite of the pandemic, the 2020s are off to a strong start at OMRF. Dr. Lijun Xia published groundbreaking new research in the journal Science and secured a new $13.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Courtney Griffin […]

2020 Annual Report: From Bedside to Bench
April 29, 2021

First a physician, Dr. Lijun Xia has become a research star As a young physician in China, Dr. Lijun Xia treated people with life-threatening blood diseases. But few medications existed to help the people he cared for, and over time, the hematologist grew frustrated. “I wanted to do better for my patients, to give them […]

OMRF honors scientists, board member at spring meeting
April 29, 2021

OMRF awarded scientific prizes to four scientists and honored a board member on Tuesday at its spring board meeting.

With new grant, OMRF researcher comes full circle
April 4, 2021

A COBRE grant help launch Dr. Lijun Xia’s career. Now he’s leading one for a new era of young investigators.

OMRF awarded $13.1 million federal grant for metabolism research
February 4, 2021

The funding will establish the Center for Cellular Metabolism Research in Oklahoma and supports five junior researchers.

OMRF discoveries reshape understanding of gut microbiome
October 22, 2020

OMRF scientists have redefined how the gut microbiome operates and how our bodies coexist with some of the 100 trillion bacteria that make it up.

OMRF receives $3.5 million to study blood clotting, vessel development
September 15, 2020

The pair of four-year, $1.75 million NIH Research Project Grants, or R01s, will support separate projects.

The Mystery of Madison
August 17, 2020

Could OMRF provide the answers Melissa Cain so desperately sought about her daughter’s illness?

OMRF donates 25,000 gloves to Integris, joins testing effort
March 25, 2020

OMRF has answered the call for personal protective equipment donations and is joining the Covid-19 testing efforts.

Oklahoma teen lives with unique skeletal disorder
December 3, 2019

Sydney Rutz is one in five billion.

OMRF-OUHSC student receives dual-degree NIH grant
August 29, 2017

OMRF’s Christopher Hoover became just the second Oklahoman in 30 years to earn a prestigious Kirschstein service award.

OMRF receives four grants totaling more than $5 million
August 8, 2017

The grants cover a range of areas, including colitis and colon cancer, sepsis, genomic tools, and outreach strategies for clinical trials.

Oklahoma researchers zero in on cause of blood disorder
July 26, 2017

New findings could help scientists develop treatments for the condition known as ITP.

OMRF hosts national biotechnology forum
April 4, 2017

Visiting attendees represented some of the top names in in the industry.

OMRF announces new scientific leaders
November 11, 2016

Rodger McEver and Lijun Xia will be taking on new positions in early 2017.

$6.5 million grant will benefit cardiovascular research at OMRF
August 17, 2016

OMRF has received a 5-year NIH grant to continue heart and blood research.

Research identifies key player in lymphatic development
July 20, 2016

The new findings were published in the journal Genes & Development.

OMRF researcher makes colitis, colon cancer breakthrough
May 16, 2016

Gastroenterology and Mucosal Immunology published the findings.

Trio of new grants brings $2.7 million to OMRF labs
May 6, 2016

Awards “a testament to the quality of research in Oklahoma”

OMRF researchers find that a biological “good guy” has a dark side
May 3, 2016

Enzyme thought harmless may be more dangerous than first believed

OMRF adds board member, honors scientists at spring meeting
April 14, 2016

OMRF hosted its annual spring board meeting on Wednesday.

OMRF discoveries could lead to better treatment for lymphedema
December 7, 2015

There is currently no cure for lymphedema but new research might help manage it.

Researcher receives grant to study blood vessel development in the brain
August 17, 2015

OMRF received $1.8 million to look into the critical role of a particular protein.

New OMRF findings yield answers for bolstering immune response
January 19, 2015

Studies yield new clues related to blood vessel function and inflammation.

Controlling a protein may help prevent cancer from spreading
November 5, 2014

New OMRF research could improve cancer, diabetes treatments.

Collaboration could lead to new treatment for rare blood cancer
January 8, 2014

Scientists are interested to see if the drug could be useful in other cancers.

Scientists discover novel functions of platelets
September 3, 2013

Researchers found the answer to a long-standing medical mystery in platelets.

OMRF board member, scientists recognized at spring meeting
April 20, 2012

Xia, others honored for scientific achievements at ceremony

Presidential candidate Huntsman visits OMRF
August 30, 2011

During a visit to Oklahoma, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman toured OMRF.

OMRF finds defective sugar at the root of colitis
April 11, 2011

New finding could be key to developing novel treatments for ulcerative colitis.

Researchers turn years of heart science on its ear
January 3, 2011

McEver finds new information about a protein vital to the immune response

OMRF discovery could lead to better treatment for leukemia, lupus
May 24, 2010

Mechanism allows cells to fight disease-causing microorganisms

OMRF honors scientists, adds board member
May 20, 2009

OMRF honored three scientists and added a new board member at its annual spring board meeting and honors celebration Tuesday. Researcher John Harley, M.D., Ph.D., was awarded the Edward L. and Thelma Gaylord Prize for Scientific Achievement. OMRF named Rodger McEver, M.D., as the Alvin Chang Chair in Cardiovascular Biology and Lijun Xia, M.D, Ph.D., […]

A Vicious Cycle New OMRF research sheds light on epileptic seizures
November 24, 2008

When an epileptic seizure strikes, it’s almost always frightening: violent, involuntary muscle contractions, often accompanied by a loss of consciousness. Epilepsy affects more than 3 million Americans, including an estimated 100,000 Oklahomans. In most cases, the cause is not known. But a study from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation casts new light on how injuries […]

A Deadly Mix-Up: OMRF study zeroes in on culprit behind fatty liver disease in obese Oklahomans
October 27, 2008

A new study from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation has found a potential cause of fatty liver disease, a condition linked to obesity that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and an increased risk of liver cancer. In a study published in the November issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, OMRF scientist Lijun […]

OMRF honors scientist, board members
November 15, 2007

At its semiannual board meeting Wednesday, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation honored scientists Patrick Wilson, Ph.D., and Lijun Xia, M.D., Ph.D. The foundation also honored three long-time board members. The board presented the Merrick Award for Outstanding Research to Xia and Wilson. Established in 1981 by Elizabeth Merrick Coe through the Merrick Foundation of Ardmore, […]

OMRF Receives $10 Million Grant
September 30, 2003

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation announced today that it has received a $10 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. “This is yet another important step in the emergence of Oklahoma as a center of biomedical excellence,” said OMRF President Dr. J. Donald Capra. “Five years ago, this state had never seen a $10 […]

1 In 5 Billion
August 26, 2019

There are people who suffer from rare diseases. And then there’s Sydney Rutz, who has a genetic condition never before identified–until a group of OMRF scientists took on her case.

Dr. Xia in the Media

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