Jin Chen, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor

jin.chen@vanderbilt.edu

Visit Lab Site


Faculty Appointments
Professor of Medicine Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology
Education
Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MassachusettsM.D., Medicine, Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai, China
Office Address
T-3207E MCN
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
1161 21st Ave South
Nashville, TN 37232
Research Description
Dr. Chen’s investigations funded by NIH R01s are (1) tumor-blood vessel interaction, and (2) how tumor cell metabolism affects anti-tumor immunity. Her laboratory first pioneered work on the role of EphA2 receptor in tumor neovascularization and showed that endothelial-specific EphA2 also controls tumor growth by regulation of angiocrine factors through a circulation-independent mechanism. As mTOR kinase is a signaling node for multiple angiogenic factors, one of her current projects is to dissect the relative contribution of mTORC1 and mTORC2 in tumor blood vessels. Her team also discovered that EphA2 RTK promotes glutamine metabolism via the glutamine transporter ASCT2 and glutaminase GLS in a YAP and TAZ-dependent manner. Knockout GLS in tumor cells provides a favorable microenvironment for anti-tumor T cell recruitment and function.

The approach in the Chen laboratory involves a combination of mining human cancer datasets, CRISPR/Cas9 technology-enabled and traditional transgenic/ knockout animal tumor models, as well as conventional cell biology and biochemistry techniques.

Current projects in the lab include:

1. Glutamine metabolic competition between cancer cells and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in breast cancer.
2. Regulation of fatty acid transendothelial transport by mTOR signaling in tumor blood vessel.
3. Targeting mTORC2 in squamous lung cancer and enhancing antitumor immunity.
4. SgRNA library screen for metabolic genes that regulate cancer metastasis and antitumor immunity.
5. EphA2 RTK in bone metastasis.






Research Keywords
tumor immunology, tumor metabolism, tumor angiogenesis, cancer metastasis, receptor tyrosine kinase, EphA2, mTOR signaling
Publications
Chen J. HIF1a or HIF2a: Enhancing CD8+ T-cell Fitness for Antitumor Immunity. Cancer Immunol Res. 2021 Apr; 9(4): 364. PMID: 34003767, PII: 9/4/364, DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-21-0114, ISSN: 2326-6074.

Edwards DN, Ngwa VM, Raybuck AL, Wang S, Hwang Y, Kim LC, Cho SH, Paik Y, Wang Q, Zhang S, Manning HC, Rathmell JC, Cook RS, Boothby MR, Chen J. Selective glutamine metabolism inhibition in tumor cells improves antitumor T lymphocyte activity in triple-negative breast cancer. J Clin Invest. 2021 Feb 2/15/2021; 131(4): PMID: 33320840, PMCID: PMC7880417, PII: 140100, DOI: 10.1172/JCI140100, ISSN: 1558-8238.

Kim LC, Rhee CH, Chen J. RICTOR Amplification Promotes NSCLC Cell Proliferation through Formation and Activation of mTORC2 at the Expense of mTORC1. Mol Cancer Res [print-electronic]. 2020 Aug 8/14/2020; PMID: 32801163, PII: 1541-7786.MCR-20-0262, DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.MCR-20-0262, ISSN: 1557-3125.

Wang S, Raybuck A, Shiuan E, Cho SH, Wang Q, Brantley-Sieders DM, Edwards D, Allaman MM, Nathan J, Wilson KT, DeNardo D, Zhang S, Cook R, Boothby M, Chen J. Selective inhibition of mTORC1 in tumor vessels increases antitumor immunity. JCI Insight. 2020 Aug 8/6/2020; 5(15): PMID: 32759497, PMCID: PMC7455083, PII: 139237, DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.139237, ISSN: 2379-3708.

Song W, Kim LC, Han W, Hou Y, Edwards DN, Wang S, Blackwell TS, Cheng F, Brantley-Sieders DM, Chen J. Phosphorylation of PLC¿1 by EphA2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Promotes Tumor Growth in Lung Cancer. Mol Cancer Res [print-electronic]. 2020 Aug 8/4/2020; PMID: 32753469, PII: 1541-7786.MCR-20-0075, DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.MCR-20-0075, ISSN: 1557-3125.

Shiuan E, Inala A, Wang S, Song W, Youngblood V, Chen J, Brantley-Sieders DM. Host deficiency in ephrin-A1 inhibits breast cancer metastasis. F1000Res. 2020; 9: 217. PMID: 32399207, PMCID: PMC7194498.2, DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.22689.2, ISSN: 2046-1402.

Ngwa VM, Edwards DN, Philip M, Chen J. Microenvironmental Metabolism Regulates Antitumor Immunity. Cancer Res [print-electronic]. 2019 Aug 8/15/2019; 79(16): 4003-8. PMID: 31362930, PMCID: PMC6697577, PII: 0008-5472.CAN-19-0617, DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-19-0617, ISSN: 1538-7445.

Hwang Y, Kim LC, Song W, Edwards DN, Cook RS, Chen J. Disruption of the Scaffolding Function of mLST8 Selectively Inhibits mTORC2 Assembly and Function and Suppresses mTORC2-Dependent Tumor Growth In Vivo. Cancer Res [print-electronic]. 2019 Jul 7/1/2019; 79(13): 3178-84. PMID: 31085701, PMCID: PMC6606357, PII: 0008-5472.CAN-18-3658, DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-18-3658, ISSN: 1538-7445.

Hwang Y, Kim LC, Song W, Edwards DN, Cook RS, Chen J. Disruption of the Scaffolding Function of mLST8 Selectively Inhibits mTORC2 Assembly and Function and Suppresses mTORC2-Dependent Tumor Growth In Vivo. Cancer Res [print-electronic]. 2019 Jul 7/1/2019; 79(13): 3178-84. PMID: 31085701, PMCID: PMC6606357, PII: 0008-5472.CAN-18-3658, DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-18-3658, ISSN: 1538-7445.

Raybuck AL, Cho SH, Li J, Rogers MC, Lee K, Williams CL, Shlomchik M, Thomas JW, Chen J, Williams JV, Boothby MR. B Cell-Intrinsic mTORC1 Promotes Germinal Center-Defining Transcription Factor Gene Expression, Somatic Hypermutation, and Memory B Cell Generation in Humoral Immunity. J. Immunol [print-electronic]. 2018 Apr 4/15/2018; 200(8): 2627-39. PMID: 29531165, PMCID: PMC5893413, PII: jimmunol.1701321, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701321, ISSN: 1550-6606.

Edwards DN, Ngwa VM, Wang S, Shiuan E, Brantley-Sieders DM, Kim LC, Reynolds AB, Chen J. The receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2 promotes glutamine metabolism in tumors by activating the transcriptional coactivators YAP and TAZ. Sci Signal. 2017 Dec 12/5/2017; 10(508): PMID: 29208682, PMCID: PMC5819349, PII: 10/508/eaan4667, DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aan4667, ISSN: 1937-9145.

Song W, Hwang Y, Youngblood VM, Cook RS, Balko JM, Chen J, Brantley-Sieders DM. Targeting EphA2 impairs cell cycle progression and growth of basal-like/triple-negative breast cancers. Oncogene [print-electronic]. 2017 Oct 10/5/2017; 36(40): 5620-30. PMID: 28581527, PMCID: PMC5629103, PII: onc2017170, DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.170, ISSN: 1476-5594.

Finney AC, Funk SD, Green JM, Yurdagul A, Rana MA, Pistorius R, Henry M, Yurochko A, Pattillo CB, Traylor JG, Chen J, Woolard MD, Kevil CG, Orr AW. EphA2 Expression Regulates Inflammation and Fibroproliferative Remodeling in Atherosclerosis. Circulation [print-electronic]. 2017 Aug 8/8/2017; 136(6): 566-82. PMID: 28487392, PMCID: PMC5548618, PII: CIRCULATIONAHA.116.026644, DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.116.026644, ISSN: 1524-4539.

Kim LC, Cook RS, Chen J. MTORC1 and mTORC2 in cancer and the tumor microenvironment. Oncogene [print-electronic]. 2017 Apr 4/20/2017; 36(16): 2191-201. PMID: 27748764, PMCID: PMC5393956, PII: onc2016363, DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.363, ISSN: 1476-5594.

Shiuan E, Chen J. Eph Receptor Tyrosine Kinases in Tumor Immunity. Cancer Res [print-electronic]. 2016 Nov 11/15/2016; 76(22): 6452-7. PMID: 27811149, PMCID: PMC5290221, PII: 0008-5472.CAN-16-1521, DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-16-1521, ISSN: 1538-7445.

Youngblood VM, Kim LC, Edwards DN, Hwang Y, Santapuram PR, Stirdivant SM, Lu P, Ye F, Brantley-Sieders DM, Chen J. The Ephrin-A1/EPHA2 Signaling Axis Regulates Glutamine Metabolism in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. Cancer Res [print-electronic]. 2016 Apr 4/1/2016; 76(7): 1825-36. PMID: 26833123, PMCID: PMC4873477, PII: 0008-5472.CAN-15-0847, DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-15-0847, ISSN: 1538-7445.

Amato KR, Wang S, Tan L, Hastings AK, Song W, Lovly CM, Meador CB, Ye F, Lu P, Balko JM, Colvin DC, Cates JM, Pao W, Gray NS, Chen J. EPHA2 Blockade Overcomes Acquired Resistance to EGFR Kinase Inhibitors in Lung Cancer. Cancer Res [print-electronic]. 2016 Jan 1/15/2016; 76(2): 305-18. PMID: 26744526, PMCID: PMC4715957, PII: 0008-5472.CAN-15-0717, DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-15-0717, ISSN: 1538-7445.

Takahashi K, Sumarriva K, Kim R, Jiang R, Brantley-Sieders DM, Chen J, Mernaugh RL, Takahashi T. Determination of the CD148-Interacting Region in Thrombospondin-1. PLoS ONE. 2016; 11(5): e0154916. PMID: 27149518, PMCID: PMC4858292, PII: PONE-D-15-55087, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154916, ISSN: 1932-6203.

Simonik EA, Cai Y, Kimmelshue KN, Brantley-Sieders DM, Loomans HA, Andl CD, Westlake GM, Youngblood VM, Chen J, Yarbrough WG, Brown BT, Nagarajan L, Brandt SJ. LIM-Only Protein 4 (LMO4) and LIM Domain Binding Protein 1 (LDB1) Promote Growth and Metastasis of Human Head and Neck Cancer (LMO4 and LDB1 in Head and Neck Cancer). PLoS ONE. 2016; 11(10): e0164804. PMID: 27780223, PMCID: PMC5079595, PII: PONE-D-16-16733, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164804, ISSN: 1932-6203.

Wang S, Amato KR, Song W, Youngblood V, Lee K, Boothby M, Brantley-Sieders DM, Chen J. Regulation of endothelial cell proliferation and vascular assembly through distinct mTORC2 signaling pathways. Mol. Cell. Biol [print-electronic]. 2015 Apr; 35(7): 1299-313. PMID: 25582201, PMCID: PMC4355541, PII: MCB.00306-14, DOI: 10.1128/MCB.00306-14, ISSN: 1098-5549.

Youngblood V, Wang S, Song W, Walter D, Hwang Y, Chen J, Brantley-Sieders DM. Elevated Slit2 Activity Impairs VEGF-Induced Angiogenesis and Tumor Neovascularization in EphA2-Deficient Endothelium. Mol. Cancer Res [print-electronic]. 2015 Mar; 13(3): 524-37. PMID: 25504371, PMCID: PMC4416411, PII: 1541-7786.MCR-14-0142, DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.MCR-14-0142, ISSN: 1557-3125.

Chen J, Song W, Amato K. Eph receptor tyrosine kinases in cancer stem cells. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev [print-electronic]. 2015 Feb; 26(1): 1-6. PMID: 24933439, PMCID: PMC4234705, PII: S1359-6101(14)00043-4, DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2014.05.001, ISSN: 1879-0305.

McCormack DR, Walsh AJ, Sit W, Arteaga CL, Chen J, Cook RS, Skala MC. In vivo hyperspectral imaging of microvessel response to trastuzumab treatment in breast cancer xenografts. Biomed Opt Express. 2014 Jul 7/1/2014; 5(7): 2247-61. PMID: 25071962, PMCID: PMC4102362, PII: 210394, DOI: 10.1364/BOE.5.002247, ISSN: 2156-7085.

Song W, Ma Y, Wang J, Brantley-Sieders D, Chen J. JNK signaling mediates EPHA2-dependent tumor cell proliferation, motility, and cancer stem cell-like properties in non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer Res [print-electronic]. 2014 May 5/1/2014; 74(9): 2444-54. PMID: 24607842, PMCID: PMC4008716, PII: 0008-5472.CAN-13-2136, DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-13-2136, ISSN: 1538-7445.

Amato KR, Wang S, Hastings AK, Youngblood VM, Santapuram PR, Chen H, Cates JM, Colvin DC, Ye F, Brantley-Sieders DM, Cook RS, Tan L, Gray NS, Chen J. Genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of EPHA2 promotes apoptosis in NSCLC. J. Clin. Invest [print-electronic]. 2014 May; 124(5): 2037-49. PMID: 24713656, PMCID: PMC4001547, PII: 72522, DOI: 10.1172/JCI72522, ISSN: 1558-8238.

Takahashi K, Matafonov A, Sumarriva K, Ito H, Lauhan C, Zemel D, Tsuboi N, Chen J, Reynolds A, Takahashi T. CD148 tyrosine phosphatase promotes cadherin cell adhesion. PLoS ONE. 2014; 9(11): e112753. PMID: 25386896, PMCID: PMC4227875, PII: PONE-D-14-33624, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112753, ISSN: 1932-6203.

Boissier P, Chen J, Huynh-Do U. EphA2 signaling following endocytosis: role of Tiam1. Traffic [print-electronic]. 2013 Dec; 14(12): 1255-71. PMID: 24112471, PMCID: PMC3859973, DOI: 10.1111/tra.12123, ISSN: 1600-0854.

Zhuang G, Song W, Amato K, Hwang Y, Lee K, Boothby M, Ye F, Guo Y, Shyr Y, Lin L, Carbone DP, Brantley-Sieders DM, Chen J. Effects of cancer-associated EPHA3 mutations on lung cancer. J. Natl. Cancer Inst [print-electronic]. 2012 Aug 8/8/2012; 104(15): 1182-97. PMID: 22829656, PMCID: PMC3611812, PII: djs297, DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djs297, ISSN: 1460-2105.

Hahn AS, Kaufmann JK, Wies E, Naschberger E, Panteleev-Ivlev J, Schmidt K, Holzer A, Schmidt M, Chen J, König S, Ensser A, Myoung J, Brockmeyer NH, Stürzl M, Fleckenstein B, Neipel F. The ephrin receptor tyrosine kinase A2 is a cellular receptor for Kaposi's sarcoma–associated herpesvirus. Nat. Med. 2012 Jun; 18(6): 961-6. PMID: 22635007, PMCID: PMC3645317, PII: nm.2805, DOI: 10.1038/nm.2805, ISSN: 1546-170X.

Lee K, Nam KT, Cho SH, Gudapati P, Hwang Y, Park DS, Potter R, Chen J, Volanakis E, Boothby M. Vital roles of mTOR complex 2 in Notch-driven thymocyte differentiation and leukemia. J. Exp. Med [print-electronic]. 2012 Apr 4/9/2012; 209(4): 713-28. PMID: 22473959, PMCID: PMC3328370, PII: jem.20111470, DOI: 10.1084/jem.20111470, ISSN: 1540-9538.

Funk SD, Yurdagul A, Albert P, Traylor JG, Jin L, Chen J, Orr AW. EphA2 activation promotes the endothelial cell inflammatory response: a potential role in atherosclerosis. Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol [print-electronic]. 2012 Mar; 32(3): 686-95. PMID: 22247258, PMCID: PMC3325141, PII: ATVBAHA.111.242792, DOI: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.111.242792, ISSN: 1524-4636.

Chen J. Regulation of tumor initiation and metastatic progression by Eph receptor tyrosine kinases. Adv. Cancer Res. 2012; 114: 1-20. PMID: 22588054, PMCID: PMC3626259, PII: B978-0-12-386503-8.00001-6, DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-386503-8.00001-6, ISSN: 0065-230X.

Rao M, Song W, Jiang A, Shyr Y, Lev S, Greenstein D, Brantley-Sieders D, Chen J. VAMP-associated protein B (VAPB) promotes breast tumor growth by modulation of Akt activity. PLoS ONE [print-electronic]. 2012; 7(10): e46281. PMID: 23049696, PMCID: PMC3462209, PII: PONE-D-12-16139, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046281, ISSN: 1932-6203.

Brantley-Sieders DM, Dunaway CM, Rao M, Short S, Hwang Y, Gao Y, Li D, Jiang A, Shyr Y, Wu JY, Chen J. Angiocrine factors modulate tumor proliferation and motility through EphA2 repression of Slit2 tumor suppressor function in endothelium. Cancer Res [print-electronic]. 2011 Feb 2/1/2011; 71(3): 976-87. PMID: 21148069, PMCID: PMC3032824, PII: 0008-5472.CAN-10-3396, DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-10-3396, ISSN: 1538-7445.

Dunaway CM, Hwang Y, Lindsley CW, Cook RS, Wu JY, Boothby M, Chen J, Brantley-Sieders DM. Cooperative signaling between Slit2 and Ephrin-A1 regulates a balance between angiogenesis and angiostasis. Mol. Cell. Biol [print-electronic]. 2011 Feb; 31(3): 404-16. PMID: 21135133, PMCID: PMC3028625, PII: MCB.00667-10, DOI: 10.1128/MCB.00667-10, ISSN: 1098-5549.

Brantley-Sieders DM, Jiang A, Sarma K, Badu-Nkansah A, Walter DL, Shyr Y, Chen J. Eph/ephrin profiling in human breast cancer reveals significant associations between expression level and clinical outcome. PLoS ONE [print-electronic]. 2011; 6(9): e24426. PMID: 21935409, PMCID: PMC3174170, PII: PONE-D-11-14906, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0024426, ISSN: 1932-6203.

Frieden LA, Townsend TA, Vaught DB, Delaughter DM, Hwang Y, Barnett JV, Chen J. Regulation of heart valve morphogenesis by Eph receptor ligand, ephrin-A1. Dev. Dyn [print-electronic]. 2010 Dec; 239(12): 3226-34. PMID: 20960543, PMCID: PMC3023820, DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.22458, ISSN: 1097-0177.

Min Y, Ren X, Vaught DB, Chen J, Donnelly E, Lynch CC, Lin PC. Tie2 signaling regulates osteoclastogenesis and osteolytic bone invasion of breast cancer. Cancer Res [print-electronic]. 2010 Apr 4/1/2010; 70(7): 2819-28. PMID: 20233869, PMCID: PMC2848896, PII: 0008-5472.CAN-09-1915, DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-09-1915, ISSN: 1538-7445.

Zhuang G, Brantley-Sieders DM, Vaught D, Yu J, Xie L, Wells S, Jackson D, Muraoka-Cook R, Arteaga C, Chen J. Elevation of receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2 mediates resistance to trastuzumab therapy. Cancer Res [print-electronic]. 2010 Jan 1/1/2010; 70(1): 299-308. PMID: 20028874, PMCID: PMC3859619, PII: 0008-5472.CAN-09-1845, DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-09-1845, ISSN: 1538-7445.

Brantley-Sieders DM, Zhuang G, Vaught D, Freeman T, Hwang Y, Hicks D, Chen J. Host deficiency in Vav2/3 guanine nucleotide exchange factors impairs tumor growth, survival, and angiogenesis in vivo. Mol. Cancer Res [print-electronic]. 2009 May; 7(5): 615-23. PMID: 19435813, PMCID: PMC2739740, PII: 1541-7786.MCR-08-0401, DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.MCR-08-0401, ISSN: 1541-7786.

Vaught D, Chen J, Brantley-Sieders DM. Regulation of mammary gland branching morphogenesis by EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase. Mol. Biol. Cell [print-electronic]. 2009 May; 20(10): 2572-81. PMID: 19321667, PMCID: PMC2682598, PII: E08-04-0378, DOI: 10.1091/mbc.E08-04-0378, ISSN: 1939-4586.

Bogan C, Chen J, O'Sullivan MG, Cormier RT. Loss of EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase reduces ApcMin/+ tumorigenesis. Int. J. Cancer. 2009 Mar 3/15/2009; 124(6): 1366-71. PMID: 19089910, DOI: 10.1002/ijc.24083, ISSN: 1097-0215.

Chen J, Zhuang G, Frieden L, Debinski W. Eph receptors and Ephrins in cancer: common themes and controversies. Cancer Res. 2008 Dec 12/15/2008; 68(24): 10031-3. PMID: 19074866, PMCID: PMC2605675, PII: 68/24/10031, DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-08-3010, ISSN: 1538-7445.

Fang WB, Brantley-Sieders DM, Hwang Y, Ham AJ, Chen J. Identification and functional analysis of phosphorylated tyrosine residues within EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase. J. Biol. Chem [print-electronic]. 2008 Jun 6/6/2008; 283(23): 16017-26. PMID: 18387945, PMCID: PMC2414276, PII: M709934200, DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M709934200, ISSN: 0021-9258.

Fang WB, Ireton RC, Zhuang G, Takahashi T, Reynolds A, Chen J. Overexpression of EPHA2 receptor destabilizes adherens junctions via a RhoA-dependent mechanism. J. Cell. Sci [print-electronic]. 2008 Feb 2/1/2008; 121(Pt 3): 358-68. PMID: 18198190, PII: jcs.017145, DOI: 10.1242/jcs.017145, ISSN: 0021-9533.

Brantley-Sieders DM, Zhuang G, Hicks D, Fang WB, Hwang Y, Cates JM, Coffman K, Jackson D, Bruckheimer E, Muraoka-Cook RS, Chen J. The receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2 promotes mammary adenocarcinoma tumorigenesis and metastatic progression in mice by amplifying ErbB2 signaling. J. Clin. Invest. 2008 Jan; 118(1): 64-78. PMID: 18079969, PMCID: PMC2129239, DOI: 10.1172/JCI33154, ISSN: 0021-9738.

Vaught D, Brantley-Sieders DM, Chen J. Eph receptors in breast cancer: roles in tumor promotion and tumor suppression. Breast Cancer Res [print-electronic]. 2008; 10(6): 217. PMID: 19144211, PMCID: PMC2656900, PII: bcr2207, DOI: 10.1186/bcr2207, ISSN: 1465-542X.

Zhuang G, Hunter S, Hwang Y, Chen J. Regulation of EphA2 receptor endocytosis by SHIP2 lipid phosphatase via phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase-dependent Rac1 activation. J. Biol. Chem [print-electronic]. 2007 Jan 1/26/2007; 282(4): 2683-94. PMID: 17135240, PII: M608509200, DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M608509200, ISSN: 0021-9258.

Brantley-Sieders DM, Fang WB, Hwang Y, Hicks D, Chen J. Ephrin-A1 facilitates mammary tumor metastasis through an angiogenesis-dependent mechanism mediated by EphA receptor and vascular endothelial growth factor in mice. Cancer Res. 2006 Nov 11/1/2006; 66(21): 10315-24. PMID: 17079451, PII: 66/21/10315, DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-06-1560, ISSN: 0008-5472.

Brissova M, Shostak A, Shiota M, Wiebe PO, Poffenberger G, Kantz J, Chen Z, Carr C, Jerome WG, Chen J, Baldwin HS, Nicholson W, Bader DM, Jetton T, Gannon M, Powers AC. Pancreatic islet production of vascular endothelial growth factor--a is essential for islet vascularization, revascularization, and function. Diabetes. 2006 Nov; 55(11): 2974-85. PMID: 17065333, PII: 55/11/2974, DOI: 10.2337/db06-0690, ISSN: 0012-1797.

Tang T, Shi Y, Opalenik SR, Brantley-Sieders DM, Chen J, Davidson JM, Brandt SJ. Expression of the TAL1/SCL transcription factor in physiological and pathological vascular processes. J. Pathol. 2006 Sep; 210(1): 121-9. PMID: 16841371, DOI: 10.1002/path.2028, ISSN: 0022-3417.

Hunter SG, Zhuang G, Brantley-Sieders D, Swat W, Cowan CW, Chen J. Essential role of Vav family guanine nucleotide exchange factors in EphA receptor-mediated angiogenesis. Mol. Cell. Biol. 2006 Jul; 26(13): 4830-42. PMID: 16782872, PMCID: PMC1489141, PII: 26/13/4830, DOI: 10.1128/MCB.02215-05, ISSN: 0270-7306.

Chen J, Hicks D, Brantley-Sieders D, Cheng N, McCollum GW, Qi-Werdich X, Penn J. Inhibition of retinal neovascularization by soluble EphA2 receptor. Exp. Eye Res [print-electronic]. 2006 Apr; 82(4): 664-73. PMID: 16359662, PII: S0014-4835(05)00293-9, DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2005.09.004, ISSN: 0014-4835.

Fang WB, Brantley-Sieders DM, Parker MA, Reith AD, Chen J. A kinase-dependent role for EphA2 receptor in promoting tumor growth and metastasis. Oncogene. 2005 Nov 11/24/2005; 24(53): 7859-68. PMID: 16103880, PII: 1208937, DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1208937, ISSN: 0950-9232.

Brantley-Sieders DM, Fang WB, Hicks DJ, Zhuang G, Shyr Y, Chen J. Impaired tumor microenvironment in EphA2-deficient mice inhibits tumor angiogenesis and metastatic progression. FASEB J [print-electronic]. 2005 Nov; 19(13): 1884-6. PMID: 16166198, PII: 05-4038fje, DOI: 10.1096/fj.05-4038fje, ISSN: 1530-6860.

Ireton RC, Chen J. EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase as a promising target for cancer therapeutics. Curr Cancer Drug Targets. 2005 May; 5(3): 149-57. PMID: 15892616, ISSN: 1568-0096.

Parker M, Roberts R, Enriquez M, Zhao X, Takahashi T, Pat Cerretti D, Daniel T, Chen J. Reverse endocytosis of transmembrane ephrin-B ligands via a clathrin-mediated pathway. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 2004 Oct 10/8/2004; 323(1): 17-23. PMID: 15351694, PII: S0006-291X(04)01590-6, DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.07.209, ISSN: 0006-291X.

Brantley-Sieders DM, Caughron J, Hicks D, Pozzi A, Ruiz JC, Chen J. EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase regulates endothelial cell migration and vascular assembly through phosphoinositide 3-kinase-mediated Rac1 GTPase activation. J. Cell. Sci [print-electronic]. 2004 Apr 4/15/2004; 117(Pt 10): 2037-49. PMID: 15054110, PII: jcs.01061, DOI: 10.1242/jcs.01061, ISSN: 0021-9533.

Brantley-Sieders DM, Chen J. Eph receptor tyrosine kinases in angiogenesis: from development to disease. Angiogenesis. 2004; 7(1): 17-28. PMID: 15302992, PII: 5272546, DOI: 10.1023/B:AGEN.0000037340.33788.87, ISSN: 0969-6970.

Brantley-Sieders D, Schmidt S, Parker M, Chen J. Eph receptor tyrosine kinases in tumor and tumor microenvironment. Curr. Pharm. Des. 2004; 10(27): 3431-42. PMID: 15544526, ISSN: 1381-6128.

Cheng N, Brantley D, Fang WB, Liu H, Fanslow W, Cerretti DP, Bussell KN, Reith A, Jackson D, Chen J. Inhibition of VEGF-dependent multistage carcinogenesis by soluble EphA receptors. Neoplasia. 2003 Sep; 5(5): 445-56. PMID: 14670182, PMCID: PMC1502614, ISSN: 1522-8002.

DeBusk LM, Chen Y, Nishishita T, Chen J, Thomas JW, Lin PC. Tie2 receptor tyrosine kinase, a major mediator of tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced angiogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2003 Sep; 48(9): 2461-71. PMID: 13130465, DOI: 10.1002/art.11213, ISSN: 0004-3591.

Cheng N, Brantley DM, Liu H, Lin Q, Enriquez M, Gale N, Yancopoulos G, Cerretti DP, Daniel TO, Chen J. Blockade of EphA receptor tyrosine kinase activation inhibits vascular endothelial cell growth factor-induced angiogenesis. Mol. Cancer Res. 2002 Nov; 1(1): 2-11. PMID: 12496364, ISSN: 1541-7786.

Brantley DM, Cheng N, Thompson EJ, Lin Q, Brekken RA, Thorpe PE, Muraoka RS, Cerretti DP, Pozzi A, Jackson D, Lin C, Chen J. Soluble Eph A receptors inhibit tumor angiogenesis and progression in vivo. Oncogene. 2002 Oct 10/10/2002; 21(46): 7011-26. PMID: 12370823, DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1205679, ISSN: 0950-9232.

Huynh-Do U, Vindis C, Liu H, Cerretti DP, McGrew JT, Enriquez M, Chen J, Daniel TO. Ephrin-B1 transduces signals to activate integrin-mediated migration, attachment and angiogenesis. J. Cell. Sci. 2002 Aug 8/1/2002; 115(Pt 15): 3073-81. PMID: 12118063, ISSN: 0021-9533.

Muraoka RS, Dumont N, Ritter CA, Dugger TC, Brantley DM, Chen J, Easterly E, Roebuck LR, Ryan S, Gotwals PJ, Koteliansky V, Arteaga CL. Blockade of TGF-beta inhibits mammary tumor cell viability, migration, and metastases. J. Clin. Invest. 2002 Jun; 109(12): 1551-9. PMID: 12070302, PMCID: PMC151012, DOI: 10.1172/JCI15234, ISSN: 0021-9738.

Chen Y, Rosloniec E, Price J, Boothby M, Chen J. Constitutive expression of BCL-X(L) in the T lineage attenuates collagen-induced arthritis in Bcl-X(L) transgenic mice. Arthritis Rheum. 2002 Feb; 46(2): 514-21. PMID: 11840455, PII: 10.1002/art.10128, ISSN: 0004-3591.

Cheng N, Brantley DM, Chen J. The ephrins and Eph receptors in angiogenesis. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2002 Feb; 13(1): 75-85. PMID: 11750881, PII: S1359610101000314, ISSN: 1359-6101.

Jo D, Nashabi A, Doxsee C, Lin Q, Unutmaz D, Chen J, Ruley HE. Epigenetic regulation of gene structure and function with a cell-permeable Cre recombinase. Nat. Biotechnol. 2001 Oct; 19(10): 929-33. PMID: 11581657, PII: nbt1001-929, DOI: 10.1038/nbt1001-929, ISSN: 1087-0156.

Cheng N, Chen J. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha induction of endothelial ephrin A1 expression is mediated by a p38 MAPK- and SAPK/JNK-dependent but nuclear factor-kappa B-independent mechanism. J. Biol. Chem [print-electronic]. 2001 Apr 4/27/2001; 276(17): 13771-7. PMID: 11278471, PII: M009147200, DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M009147200, ISSN: 0021-9258.

Chen Y, Rosloniec E, Goral MI, Boothby M, Chen J. Redirection of T cell effector function in vivo and enhanced collagen-induced arthritis mediated by an IL-2R beta/IL-4R alpha chimeric cytokine receptor transgene. J. Immunol. 2001 Mar 3/15/2001; 166(6): 4163-9. PMID: 11238667, ISSN: 0022-1767.

Seetharaman R, Mora AL, Nabozny G, Boothby M, Chen J. Essential role of T cell NF-kappa B activation in collagen-induced arthritis. J. Immunol. 1999 Aug 8/1/1999; 163(3): 1577-83. PMID: 10415062, PII: ji_v163n3p1577, ISSN: 0022-1767.

Youn J, Chen J, Goenka S, Aronica MA, Mora AL, Correa V, Sheller JR, Boothby M. In vivo function of an interleukin 2 receptor beta chain (IL-2Rbeta)/IL-4Ralpha cytokine receptor chimera potentiates allergic airway disease. J. Exp. Med. 1998 Nov 11/16/1998; 188(10): 1803-16. PMID: 9815258, PMCID: PMC2212401, ISSN: 0022-1007.

Chen J, Ruley HE. An enhancer element in the EphA2 (Eck) gene sufficient for rhombomere-specific expression is activated by HOXA1 and HOXB1 homeobox proteins. J. Biol. Chem. 1998 Sep 9/18/1998; 273(38): 24670-5. PMID: 9733765, ISSN: 0021-9258.

G. Hicks, J. Chen, and H.E. Ruley. Production and use of Retroviruses. Culture of Specialised Cells Series. 1998; 4.

Chen J, Nachabah A, Scherer C, Ganju P, Reith A, Bronson R, Ruley HE. Germ-line inactivation of the murine Eck receptor tyrosine kinase by gene trap retroviral insertion. Oncogene. 1996 Mar 3/7/1996; 12(5): 979-88. PMID: 8649815, ISSN: 0950-9232.

C. Scherer, J. Chen, A. Nachebeh, N. Hopkins and E. Ruley (First two authors contributed equally.). Transcriptional specificity of totipotent embryonic stem cell. Cell Growth and Differentiation. 1996; 7: 1393-401.

Hicks GG, Shi EG, Chen J, Roshon M, Williamson D, Scherer C, Ruley HE. Retrovirus gene traps. Meth. Enzymol. 1995; 254: 263-75. PMID: 8531691, ISSN: 0076-6879.

J. Chen, J. DeGregori, G. Hicks, M. Roshon, E-G Shi, C. Scherer and E. Ruley. Gene Trap Retrovirus. Meth. Mol. Genet. 1994; 4: 123-40.

S. Lin, W. Long, J. Chen, and N. Hopkins. Production of germ line chimeras in zebrafish by cell transplants from genetically pigmented to albino embryos. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 1992; 89: 4519-23.

J. Chen, G. W. Rebeck, B. Derfler, and L. Samson. The expression of bacterial DNA repair genes in eukaryotic cells; and vice versa. Anticarcinogenesis and Radiation Protection (ed. O. F. Nygaard and A.C. Upton) Plenum Press, New York. 1991; 47-56.

J. Chen, and L. Samson. Induction of S. cerevisiae MAG 3MeA DNA glycosylase transcript levels in response to DNA damage. Nucleic Acids Res. 1991; 19: 6427-32.

W. Xiao, B. Derfler, J. Chen, and L. Samson. Primary sequence and biological functions of a S. cerevisiae 06-methylguanine/04-methylthymine DNA repair methyltransferase gene. EMBO J. 1991; 10: 2719-2186.

J. Chen, B. Derfler, and L. Samson. Saccharomyces cerevisiae 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase has homology to the AlkA glycosylase of E. coli and is induced in response to DNA alkylation damage. EMBO J. 1990; 9: 4569-75.

J. Chen, B. Derfler, A. Maskati, and L. Samson. Cloning a eukaryotic DNA glycosylase repair gene by the suppression of a DNA repair defect in E. coli. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 1989; 86: 7961-5.

Available Postdoctoral Position Details
Posted: 6/24/2022

A postdoctoral position is open for study on tumor cell metabolism and anti-tumor immunity. Recent PhDs are encouraged to apply. For those candidates with more than 5 years of postdoctoral experiences, Research Instructor or Research Assistant Professor positions will also be considered.

Please send CV and contact information of references to: Jin Chen, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine and Cell & Developmental Biology, Director of Graduate Studies in Cancer Biology. email: jin.chen@vumc.org