Email

nal@bcm.edu

Positions

Associate Professor

Medicine
Cardiovascular Research
Baylor College of Medicine
USA

Education

Advanced Training from Baylor College Of Medicine

01/2012 - Houston, TX United States

PhD from China Pharmaceutical University

07/2008 - Nanjing, China, People's Rep

Professional Interests

• To investigate novel molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy.

Professional Statement

Cardiac arrhythmias severely affect cardiac performance, and in some cases are lethal. Arrhythmias can result from dysfunctional ion channels located on the plasma membrane or abnormal intracellular calcium handling. We are interested in the following research topics:
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One, inflammatory signaling in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF).
AF is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in adults with an increasing prevalence. Several projects are designed to investigate the mechanistic link between the risk factors and the AF pathophysiology. Among them, inflammasome signaling is a central focus. 
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Second, molecular mechanisms of cardiac conduction disorder (CCD).
CCD is very common in patients with heart failure/cardiomyopathy or with a genetic cause. Patients with severe CCD usually require pacemaker implantation. Understanding the molecular underpinning of various forms of CCD may help to develop new therapies for patients suffering from CCD. 
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Li lab is funded by research grants from the National Institutes of Health.

Websites

Selected Publications

• "Enhanced Cardiomyocyte NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Promotes Atrial Fibrillation.." Circulation. 2018;
• "NLRP3 Inflammasome Is a Key Driver of Obesity-Induced Atrial Arrhythmias." Cardiovasc Res. 2021; Pubmed PMID: 33523143
• "Inflammasomes and Proteostasis Novel Molecular Mechanisms Associated With Atrial Fibrillation." Circulation. 2020; Pubmed PMID: 32717176
• "Cardiomyocyte Inflammasome Signaling in Cardiomyopathies and Atrial Fibrillation: Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutic Implications." Front Physiol.. 2018;

Funding

The Role of Gasdermin-D/Interleukin-1 Nexus in Atrial Arrhythmogenesis

Grant funding from NIH/NHLBI

Cardiac fibroblast inflammasome and atrial myopathy

Grant funding from NIH/NHLBI

Mechanisms underlying atrial fibrillation associated with chronic kidney disease

Grant funding from NIH/NHLBI

Arrhythmogenesis associated with the TANGO2-deficiency

Grant funding from American Heart Association