Dr. Ping Zhang
Ping Zhang, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatric Dentistry
845 19th St South, BBRB 711
Birmingham, AL 35294-2170
Email:
Phone: (205) 996-9803
Fax: (205) 934-1426
Research Focus: Periodontal disease immunology, Innate and adaptive immunity, Molecular aspects of immune regulation.
Research Interests:
The interactions between a pathogen and its host are complex and dynamic. The outcome of such interactions is a reflection of the properties of the microbial agent and the ability of the host to respond to infection. We are primarily interested in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in such interactions, which is considered essential for the targeted development of sustainable prevention and control strategies for infectious diseases. Specifically, studies are directed to determine the involvement of antigen-presenting cells, T helper cells, and inflammatory cytokines in host immune responses to the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis and its virulence factors. The role of costimulatory molecules, Toll-like receptors, and intracellular signaling pathways (i.e. MAPKs, PI3K/Akt, NF-kB) in the ultimate outcome of the host response are being evaluated. We are also interested in dissecting the signaling crosstalk between inflammation and bone resorption in the context of P. gingivalis infection. These studies will provide a better understanding of the pathogenesis of inflammatory infectious processes and the regulation of inflammation and bone resorption, and will facilitate the development of means by which periodontal disease, as well as other inflammatory bone loss diseases, can be prevented or ameliorated. Interests also include the development of potential mucosal vaccines for the induction of protective immune responses against dental caries and periodontal disease. The basis of these studies is the use of recombinant genetic techniques consisting of unique microbial antigens from the caries pathogen Streptococcus mutans and the periodontal pathogen P. gingivalis.
Recent Publications: (PubMed for Dr. Ping Zhang)
Ashtekar AR, Zhang P, Katz J, Deivanayagam CCS, Raliabhandi P, Vogel SN, and Michalek SM. TLR4-mediated activation of dendritic cells by heat shock protein DnaK from Francisella tularensis. J. Leuk. Bio. 2008; 84 (in press).
Yang D, Chen Q, Su SB, Zhang P, Kurosaka K, Caspi RR, Michalek SM, Rosenberg HF, Zhang N, and Oppenheim JJ. Eosinophil-derived neurotoxin acts as an alarmin to activate the TLR2-MyD88 signal pathway in dendritic cells and enhances Th2 immune responses. J. Exp. Med. 2008; 205: 79-90.
Hu P, Bian Z, Fan M, Huang M, and Zhang P. Sec translocase and sortase A are colocalised in a locus in the cytoplasmic membrane of Streptococcus mutans. Arch. Oral Biol. 2008; 53:150-154.
Zhang P, Lewis JP, Michalek SM, and Katz J. 2007. Role of CD80 and CD86 in host immune responses to the recombinant hemagglutinin domain of Porphyromonas gingivalis gingipain and in the adjuvanticity of cholera toxin B and monophosphoryl lipid A. Vaccine. 2007; 25: 6201-6210.
Katz J, Zhang P, Martin M, Vogel SN, and Michalek SM Toll-like receptor 2 is required for inflammatory responses to Francisella tularensis LVS. Infect Immun. 2006; 74:2809-2816.
Salam MA, Katz J, Zhang P, Hajishengallis G, and Michalek SM Immunogenicity of Salmonella vector vaccines expressing SBR of Streptococcus mutans under the control of different promoters. Vaccine. 2006; 24:5003-5015.
Zhang P, Yang QB, Balkovetz DF, Lewis JP, Clements JD, Michalek SM, Katz J. Effectiveness of the B subunit of cholera toxin in potentiating immune responses to the recombinant hemagglutinin/adhesin domain of the gingipain Kgp from Porphyromonas gingivalis. Vaccine. 2005; 23: 4734-4744.
Zhang P, Martin M, Michalek SM, Katz J. Role of mitogen-activated protein kinases and NF-kB in the regulation of pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines by Porphyromonas gingivalis Hemagglutinin B. Infect Immun. 2005; 73:3990-3998.
McHugh CP, Zhang P, Michalek S, Eleazer PD. pH required to kill Enterococcus faecalis in vitro. J Endod. 2004; 30: 218-219.
Saunders JL, Eleazer PD, Zhang P, Michalek S. Effect of a separated instrument on bacterial penetration of obturated root canals. J Endod. 2004; 30: 177-179.
Izu KH, Thomas SJ, Zhang P, Izu AE, Michalek S. Effectiveness of sodium hypochlorite in preventing inoculation of periapical tissues with contaminated patency files. J. Endod. 2004; 30: 92-94.
Zhang P, Martin M, Yang QB, Michalek SM, Katz J. Role of B7 costimulatory molecules in immune responses and T-helper cell differentiation in response to recombinant HagB from Porphyromonas gingivalis. Infect Immun. 2004; 72:637-644.
Zhang P, Yang QB, Marciani DJ, Martin M, Clements JD, Michalek SM, Katz J. Effectiveness of the quillaja saponin semi-synthetic analog GPI-0100 in potentiating mucosal and systemic responses to recombinant HagB from Porphyromonas gingivalis. Vaccine 2003; 21:4459-4471.
Zhang P, Jespersgaard C, Lamberty-Mallory L, Katz J, Huang Y, Hajishengallis G, Michalek SM. Enhanced immunogenicity of a genetic chimeric protein consisting of two virulence antigens of Streptococcus mutans and its protection against infection. Infect Immun. 2002; 70: 6779-6787.
Katz J, Yang QB, Zhang P, Potempa J, Travis J, Michalek SM, Balkovetz DF. Hydrolysis of epithelial junctional proteins by Porphyromonas gingivalis gingipains. Infect Immun. 2002; 70: 2512-2518.
Jespersgaard C, Zhang P, Hajishengallis G, Russell MW, Michalek SM. Effect of attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium expressing a Streptococcus mutans antigen on on secondary responses to the cloned protein. Infect Immun. 2001; 69: 6604-6611.