Izumi Kaji, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

izumi.kaji@vanderbilt.edu

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Faculty Appointments
Assistant Professor of Surgery Assistant Professor of Cell & Developmental BiologyAssistant Professor of Cell & Developmental Biology
Education
Ph.D., Gastrointestinal Physiology, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Not Specified, JapanB.S., Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Not Specified, Japan
Office Address
2213 Garland Ave
Nashville, TN 37232
Research Description
The Kaji lab is studying nutrient sensing and absorptive mechanisms with a goal of treating congenital diarrheal diseases. The current research projects are focused on GI sensory cells, epithelial cell differentiation, cellular metabolism, and how these signaling pathways are altered by Myosin Vb mutations, which cause microvillus inclusion disease (MVID). We use electrophysiological and immunohistological assays along with imaging mass spectrometry data in genetically engineered mice and enteroids.
Research Keywords
GI Physiology, Epithelial Cell Biology, Luminal chemosensing, Electrolyte transporters, Cellular metabolism
Publications
Kaji I, Thiagarajah JR, Goldenring JR. Modeling the cell biology of monogenetic intestinal epithelial disorders. J Cell Biol [print-electronic]. 2024 Jul 7/1/2024; 223(7): PMID: 38683247, PMCID: PMC11058565, PII: 276720, DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202310118, ISSN: 1540-8140.

Jang B, Kim H, Lee SH, Won Y, Kaji I, Coffey RJ, Choi E, Goldenring JR. Dynamic tuft cell expansion during gastric metaplasia and dysplasia. J Pathol Clin Res [print-electronic]. 2024 Jan; 10(1): e352. PMID: 38117182, PMCID: PMC10766036, DOI: 10.1002/cjp2.352, ISSN: 2056-4538.

Kalashyan M, Raghunathan K, Oller H, Bayer MT, Jimenez L, Roland JT, Kolobova E, Hagen SJ, Goldsmith JD, Shub MD, Goldenring JR, Kaji I, Thiagarajah JR. Patient-derived enteroids provide a platform for the development of therapeutic approaches in microvillus inclusion disease. J Clin Invest. 2023 Oct 10/16/2023; 133(20): PMID: 37643022, PMCID: PMC10575727, PII: 169234, DOI: 10.1172/JCI169234, ISSN: 1558-8238.

Kalashyan M, Raghunathan K, Oller H, Theres MB, Jimenez L, Roland JT, Kolobova E, Hagen SJ, Goldsmith JD, Shub MD, Goldenring JR, Kaji I, Thiagarajah JR. Therapy Development for Microvillus Inclusion Disease using Patient-derived Enteroids. BioRxiv. 2023 Jan 1/29/2023; PMID: 36747680, PMCID: PMC9900906, PII: 2023.01.28.526036, DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.28.526036, ISSN: 2692-8205.

Peritore-Galve FC, Kaji I, Smith A, Walker LM, Shupe JA, Washington MK, Algood HMS, Dudeja PK, Goldenring JR, Lacy DB. Increased intestinal permeability and downregulation of absorptive ion transporters Nhe3, Dra, and Sglt1 contribute to diarrhea during Clostridioides difficile infection. Gut Microbes. 2023; 15(1): 2225841. PMID: 37350393, PMCID: PMC10291935, DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2225841, ISSN: 1949-0984.

Burman A, Momoh M, Sampson L, Skelton J, Roland JT, Ramos C, Krystofiak E, Acra S, Goldenring JR, Kaji I. Modeling of a Novel Patient-Based MYO5B Point Mutation Reveals Insights Into MVID Pathogenesis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol [print-electronic]. 2023; 15(4): 1022-6. PMID: 36592862, PMCID: PMC10041088, PII: S2352-345X(22)00266-1, DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.12.015, ISSN: 2352-345X.

Burman A, Kaji I. Breast Milk Epidermal Growth Factor Confers Paracellular Calcium Absorption in the Infant Small Intestine. Function (Oxf). 2023; 4(6): zqad057. PMID: 37860264, PMCID: PMC10583193, PII: zqad057, DOI: 10.1093/function/zqad057, ISSN: 2633-8823.

Burman A, Momoh M, Sampson L, Skelton J, Roland JT, Ramos C, Krystofiak E, Acra S, Goldenring JR, Kaji I. Modeling of a Novel Patient-Based MYO5B Point Mutation Reveals Insights Into MVID Pathogenesis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol [print-electronic]. 2022 Dec 12/31/2022; PMID: 36592862, PII: S2352-345X(22)00266-1, DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.12.015, ISSN: 2352-345X.

Dooley SA, Engevik KA, Digrazia J, Stubler R, Kaji I, Krystofiak E, Engevik AC. Myosin 5b is required for proper localization of the intermicrovillar adhesion complex in the intestinal brush border. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol [print-electronic]. 2022 Nov 11/1/2022; 323(5): G501-G510. PMID: 36218265, DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00212.2022, ISSN: 1522-1547.

Dooley SA, Engevik KA, Digrazia J, Stubler R, Kaji I, Krystofiak E, Engevik AC. Myosin 5b is required for proper localization of the intermicrovillar adhesion complex in the intestinal brush border. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol [print-electronic]. 2022 Nov 11/1/2022; 323(5): G501-G510-G510. PMID: 36218265, PMCID: PMC9639760, DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00212.2022, ISSN: 1522-1547.

Rathan-Kumar S, Roland JT, Momoh M, Goldstein A, Lapierre LA, Manning E, Mitchell L, Norman J, Kaji I, Goldenring JR. Rab11FIP1-deficient mice develop spontaneous inflammation and show increased susceptibility to colon damage. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol [print-electronic]. 2022 Sep 9/1/2022; 323(3): G239-G254. PMID: 35819177, PMCID: PMC9423785, DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00042.2022, ISSN: 1522-1547.

Rathan-Kumar S, Roland JT, Momoh M, Goldstein A, Lapierre LA, Manning E, Mitchell L, Norman J, Kaji I, Goldenring JR. Rab11FIP1-deficient mice develop spontaneous inflammation and show increased susceptibility to colon damage. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol [print-electronic]. 2022 Sep 9/1/2022; 323(3): G239-G254-G254. PMID: 35819177, PMCID: PMC9423785, DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00042.2022, ISSN: 1522-1547.

Bowman DM, Kaji I, Goldenring JR. Altered MYO5B Function Underlies Microvillus Inclusion Disease: Opportunities for Intervention at a Cellular Level. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol [print-electronic]. 2022; 14(3): 553-65. PMID: 35660026, PMCID: PMC9304615, PII: S2352-345X(22)00098-4, DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.04.015, ISSN: 2352-345X.

Bowman DM, Kaji I, Goldenring JR. Altered MYO5B Function Underlies Microvillus Inclusion Disease: Opportunities for Intervention at a Cellular Level. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol [print-electronic]. 2022; 14(3): 553-65. PMID: 35660026, PMCID: PMC9304615, PII: S2352-345X(22)00098-4, DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.04.015, ISSN: 2352-345X.

Burman A, Kaji I. Luminal Chemosensory Cells in the Small Intestine. Nutrients. 2021 Oct 10/22/2021; 13(11): PMID: 34835968, PMCID: PMC8620795, PII: nu13113712, DOI: 10.3390/nu13113712, ISSN: 2072-6643.

Burman A, Kaji I. Luminal Chemosensory Cells in the Small Intestine. Nutrients. 2021 Oct 10/22/2021; 13(11): PMID: 34835968, PMCID: PMC8620795, PII: nu13113712, DOI: 10.3390/nu13113712, ISSN: 2072-6643.

Kaji I, Roland JT, Rathan-Kumar S, Engevik AC, Burman A, Goldstein AE, Watanabe M, Goldenring JR. Cell differentiation is disrupted by MYO5B loss through Wnt/Notch imbalance. JCI Insight. 2021 Aug 8/23/2021; 6(16): PMID: 34197342, PMCID: PMC8409988, PII: e150416, DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.150416, ISSN: 2379-3708.

Kaji I, Roland JT, Rathan-Kumar S, Engevik AC, Burman A, Goldstein AE, Watanabe M, Goldenring JR. Cell differentiation is disrupted by MYO5B loss through Wnt/Notch imbalance. JCI Insight. 2021 Aug 8/23/2021; 6(16): PMID: 34197342, PMCID: PMC8409988, PII: e150416, DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.150416, ISSN: 2379-3708.

Marincola Smith P, Choksi YA, Markham NO, Hanna DN, Zi J, Weaver CJ, Hamaamen JA, Lewis KB, Yang J, Liu Q, Kaji I, Means AL, Beauchamp RD. Colon epithelial cell TGFß signaling modulates the expression of tight junction proteins and barrier function in mice. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol [print-electronic]. 2021 Jun 6/1/2021; 320(6): G936-G957. PMID: 33759564, PMCID: PMC8285585, DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00053.2021, ISSN: 1522-1547.

Marincola Smith P, Choksi YA, Markham NO, Hanna DN, Zi J, Weaver CJ, Hamaamen JA, Lewis KB, Yang J, Liu Q, Kaji I, Means AL, Beauchamp RD. Colon epithelial cell TGFß signaling modulates the expression of tight junction proteins and barrier function in mice. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol [print-electronic]. 2021 Jun 6/1/2021; 320(6): G936-G957-G957. PMID: 33759564, PMCID: PMC8285585, DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00053.2021, ISSN: 1522-1547.

Engevik AC, Krystofiak ES, Kaji I, Meyer AR, Weis VG, Goldstein A, Coutts AW, Melkamu T, Saqui-Salces M, Goldenring JR. Recruitment of Polarity Complexes and Tight Junction Proteins to the Site of Apical Bulk Endocytosis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol [print-electronic]. 2021; 12(1): 59-80. PMID: 33548596, PMCID: PMC8082271, PII: S2352-345X(21)00028-X, DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.01.022, ISSN: 2352-345X.

Engevik AC, Krystofiak ES, Kaji I, Meyer AR, Weis VG, Goldstein A, Coutts AW, Melkamu T, Saqui-Salces M, Goldenring JR. Recruitment of Polarity Complexes and Tight Junction Proteins to the Site of Apical Bulk Endocytosis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol [print-electronic]. 2021; 12(1): 59-80. PMID: 33548596, PMCID: PMC8082271, PII: S2352-345X(21)00028-X, DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.01.022, ISSN: 2352-345X.

Kaji I, Roland JT, Watanabe M, Engevik AC, Goldstein AE, Hodges CA, Goldenring JR. Lysophosphatidic Acid Increases Maturation of Brush Borders and SGLT1 Activity in MYO5B-deficient Mice, a Model of Microvillus Inclusion Disease. Gastroenterology [print-electronic]. 2020 Oct; 159(4): 1390-1405.e20. PMID: 32534933, PMCID: PMC8240502, PII: S0016-5085(20)34760-0, DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.06.008, ISSN: 1528-0012.

Kaji I, Roland JT, Watanabe M, Engevik AC, Goldstein AE, Hodges CA, Goldenring JR. Lysophosphatidic Acid Increases Maturation of Brush Borders and SGLT1 Activity in MYO5B-deficient Mice, a Model of Microvillus Inclusion Disease. Gastroenterology [print-electronic]. 2020 Oct; 159(4): 1390-1405.e20-1405.e20. PMID: 32534933, PMCID: PMC8240502, PII: S0016-5085(20)34760-0, DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.06.008, ISSN: 1528-0012.

Engevik AC, Coutts AW, Kaji I, Rodriguez P, Ongaratto F, Saqui-Salces M, Medida RL, Meyer AR, Kolobova E, Engevik MA, Williams JA, Shub MD, Carlson DF, Melkamu T, Goldenring JR. Editing Myosin VB Gene to Create Porcine Model of Microvillus Inclusion Disease, With Microvillus-Lined Inclusions and Alterations in Sodium Transporters. Gastroenterology [print-electronic]. 2020 Jun; 158(8): 2236-2249.e9. PMID: 32112796, PMCID: PMC7282982, PII: S0016-5085(20)30261-4, DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.02.034, ISSN: 1528-0012.

Engevik AC, Coutts AW, Kaji I, Rodriguez P, Ongaratto F, Saqui-Salces M, Medida RL, Meyer AR, Kolobova E, Engevik MA, Williams JA, Shub MD, Carlson DF, Melkamu T, Goldenring JR. Editing Myosin VB Gene to Create Porcine Model of Microvillus Inclusion Disease, With Microvillus-Lined Inclusions and Alterations in Sodium Transporters. Gastroenterology [print-electronic]. 2020 Jun; 158(8): 2236-2249.e9-2249.e9. PMID: 32112796, PMCID: PMC7282982, PII: S0016-5085(20)30261-4, DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.02.034, ISSN: 1528-0012.

Engevik AC, Kaji I, Goldenring JR. The Physiology of the Gastric Parietal Cell. Physiol Rev [print-electronic]. 2020 Apr 4/1/2020; 100(2): 573-602. PMID: 31670611, PMCID: PMC7327232, DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00016.2019, ISSN: 1522-1210.

Engevik AC, Kaji I, Goldenring JR. The Physiology of the Gastric Parietal Cell. Physiol Rev [print-electronic]. 2020 Apr 4/1/2020; 100(2): 573-602. PMID: 31670611, PMCID: PMC7327232, DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00016.2019, ISSN: 1522-1210.

Huh WJ, Roland JT, Asai M, Kaji I. Distribution of duodenal tuft cells is altered in pediatric patients with acute and chronic enteropathy. Biomed Res. 2020; 41(2): 113-8. PMID: 32307399, DOI: 10.2220/biomedres.41.113, ISSN: 1880-313X.

Matthis AL, Kaji I, Engevik KA, Akiba Y, Kaunitz JD, Montrose MH, Aihara E. Deficient Active Transport Activity in Healing Mucosa After Mild Gastric Epithelial Damage. Dig Dis Sci [print-electronic]. 2020 Jan; 65(1): 119-31. PMID: 31515722, PMCID: PMC7950857, PII: 10.1007/s10620-019-05825-x, DOI: 10.1007/s10620-019-05825-x, ISSN: 1573-2568.

Matthis AL, Kaji I, Engevik KA, Akiba Y, Kaunitz JD, Montrose MH, Aihara E. Deficient Active Transport Activity in Healing Mucosa After Mild Gastric Epithelial Damage. Dig Dis Sci [print-electronic]. 2020 Jan; 65(1): 119-31. PMID: 31515722, PMCID: PMC7950857, PII: 10.1007/s10620-019-05825-x, DOI: 10.1007/s10620-019-05825-x, ISSN: 1573-2568.

Huh WJ, Roland JT, Asai M, Kaji I. Distribution of duodenal tuft cells is altered in pediatric patients with acute and chronic enteropathy. Biomed Res. 2020; 41(2): 113-8. PMID: 32307399, PMCID: PMC10037909, DOI: 10.2220/biomedres.41.113, ISSN: 1880-313X.

Engevik AC, Kaji I, Postema MM, Faust JJ, Meyer AR, Williams JA, Fitz GN, Tyska MJ, Wilson JM, Goldenring JR. Loss of myosin Vb promotes apical bulk endocytosis in neonatal enterocytes. J Cell Biol [print-electronic]. 2019 Nov 11/4/2019; 218(11): 3647-62. PMID: 31562230, PMCID: PMC6829668, PII: jcb.201902063, DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201902063, ISSN: 1540-8140.

Engevik AC, Kaji I, Postema MM, Faust JJ, Meyer AR, Williams JA, Fitz GN, Tyska MJ, Wilson JM, Goldenring JR. Loss of myosin Vb promotes apical bulk endocytosis in neonatal enterocytes. J Cell Biol [print-electronic]. 2019 Nov 11/4/2019; 218(11): 3647-62. PMID: 31562230, PMCID: PMC6829668, PII: jcb.201902063, DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201902063, ISSN: 1540-8140.

Sugawara T, Sawada D, Kaji I, Karaki SI, Kuwahara A. The effects of viable and non-viable Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 cells on colonic ion transport and corticotropin releasing factor-induced diarrhea. Biomed Res. 2019; 40(6): 225-33. PMID: 31839666, DOI: 10.2220/biomedres.40.225, ISSN: 1880-313X.

Kaji I. Dynamics of Intestinal Calcium Absorption in Neonates [editorial]. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol [print-electronic]. 2019; 8(4): 647-8. PMID: 31536717, PMCID: PMC6889640, PII: S2352-345X(19)30116-X, DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2019.08.010, ISSN: 2352-345X.

Kaji I. Dynamics of Intestinal Calcium Absorption in Neonates [editorial]. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol [print-electronic]. 2019; 8(4): 647-8. PMID: 31536717, PMCID: PMC6889640, PII: S2352-345X(19)30116-X, DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2019.08.010, ISSN: 2352-345X.

Sugawara T, Sawada D, Kaji I, Karaki SI, Kuwahara A. The effects of viable and non-viable Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 cells on colonic ion transport and corticotropin releasing factor-induced diarrhea. Biomed Res. 2019; 40(6): 225-33. PMID: 31839666, DOI: 10.2220/biomedres.40.225, ISSN: 1880-313X.

Engevik AC, Kaji I, Engevik MA, Meyer AR, Weis VG, Goldstein A, Hess MW, Müller T, Koepsell H, Dudeja PK, Tyska M, Huber LA, Shub MD, Ameen N, Goldenring JR. Loss of MYO5B Leads to Reductions in Na+ Absorption With Maintenance of CFTR-Dependent Cl- Secretion in Enterocytes. Gastroenterology [print-electronic]. 2018 Dec; 155(6): 1883-1897.e10. PMID: 30144427, PMCID: PMC6279525, PII: S0016-5085(18)34890-X, DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.08.025, ISSN: 1528-0012.

Engevik AC, Kaji I, Engevik MA, Meyer AR, Weis VG, Goldstein A, Hess MW, Müller T, Koepsell H, Dudeja PK, Tyska M, Huber LA, Shub MD, Ameen N, Goldenring JR. Loss of MYO5B Leads to Reductions in Na+ Absorption With Maintenance of CFTR-Dependent Cl- Secretion in Enterocytes. Gastroenterology [print-electronic]. 2018 Dec; 155(6): 1883-1897.e10-1897.e10. PMID: 30144427, PMCID: PMC6279525, PII: S0016-5085(18)34890-X, DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.08.025, ISSN: 1528-0012.

Schlegel C, Lapierre LA, Weis VG, Williams JA, Kaji I, Pinzon-Guzman C, Prasad N, Boone B, Jones A, Correa H, Levy SE, Han X, Wang M, Thomsen K, Acra S, Goldenring JR. Reversible deficits in apical transporter trafficking associated with deficiency in diacylglycerol acyltransferase. Traffic [print-electronic]. 2018 Nov; 19(11): 879-92. PMID: 30095213, PMCID: PMC6191315, DOI: 10.1111/tra.12608, ISSN: 1600-0854.

Schlegel C, Lapierre LA, Weis VG, Williams JA, Kaji I, Pinzon-Guzman C, Prasad N, Boone B, Jones A, Correa H, Levy SE, Han X, Wang M, Thomsen K, Acra S, Goldenring JR. Reversible deficits in apical transporter trafficking associated with deficiency in diacylglycerol acyltransferase. Traffic [print-electronic]. 2018 Nov; 19(11): 879-92. PMID: 30095213, PMCID: PMC6191315, DOI: 10.1111/tra.12608, ISSN: 1600-0854.

Kaji Izumi, Kaunitz Jonathan D.. Physiology of the gastrointestinal tract. Sixth. [place unknown]: Academic Press; 2018. Chapter , Chemosensing in the colon.