Research Interests 

Research Interests

Characterize SRV/D genomes of infected monkeys in China and investigate the pathogenic mechanisms of SRV/D-associated diseases. The first aim of this project is to investigate SRV/D infection in macaque breeding populations in China by sequencing SRV/D genome from positive macaques and molecular characterization of the SRV/D genomes. The information will be useful for molecular diagnosis of SRV/D infection and will be beneficial to control endemic SRV/D infection in monkey populations. The second aim of this project is to elucidate the specific pathogenic mechanisms of SRV/D-associated disease by investigating generalized immune activation and innate immune responses in SRV/D infection. The results will provide valuable information for a better understanding of aspects of retrovirus-host interaction and retrovirus-induced immunosuppression.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection plays an important role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Potential mechanisms linking HBV to HCC include HBV DNA integration, epigenetic (DNA & histone) modification and persistent expression of viral proteins (e.g.  HBV protein X, HBx). Previous studies indicated the dynamic change of mRNA methylation (especially N6-methyaladenosine, m6A) may affect physiologic processes in humans, including the occurrence and progression of cancer as well as the host responses to viral infection and replication. Since the enrichment of m6A has been shown in the liver, we wonder whether HBV infection can change the m6A profile in hepatoma cell lines, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of HCC.

Define cross-neutralizing responses in sera of HIV-1-infected patients and to characterize the epitopes involved. We are screening several patient sera that possess broad neutralizing activities, isolate and characterize monoclonal antibodies from patients with unusually broad and potent neutralizing activities, and map the sites and epitopes in the viral envelopes that determine autologous and heterologous neutralization. Identifying effective target sites and epitopes should allow the construction of multi-epitope vaccines in a rational manner that would almost certainly be more effective than the random combination of envelope proteins that has been utilized to date.

Publications 

Yue, L., Pfafferott, K., Baalwa, J., Conrod, K., Dong, C., Rong R., Claiborne DT, Prince JL, Tang J, Cormier E, Hahn BH, Shaw GM, Karita E, Gilmour J, Goepfert P, Derdeyn CA, Allen S, Borrow P, Huner E. (2015).  The replicative capacity of transmitted HIV-1 and the dynamics of escape from the earliest virus-specific T cell responses are key determinants of control.   PLoS Pathogens.

Archary, D., Gordon, M., Boliar, S., Madiga, M., Gray, E., Dugast AS, Hermanus T, Goulder PJ, Coovadia HM, Werner L, Morris L, Alter G. Derdeyn CA, (2012).  Hdung'u T. Characterization of anti-HIV-1 neutralizing and binding antibodies in chronic HIV-1 subtype C infection.   Virol.

Lynch, R., Boliar, S., Sethi, A., Li, B., Mulenga, J., Allen S, Robinson JE, Gnanakaran S, Derdeyn CA. (2011).  The B cell response is redundant and highly focused on.   J virol.

Lynch, R., Rong, R., Li, B., Shen, T., Honnen, W., Mulenga J, Allen S, Pinter A, Gnanakaran S, Derdeyn CA (2010).  Subtype-specific conservation of isoleucine 309 in the envelope V3 domain is linked to immune evasion in subtype C HIV-1 infection.   Virology.

Rong, R., Li, B., Lynch, R.M., & Haaland, R.E. (2009).  Escape from Autologous Neutralizing Antibodies in Acute/Early Subtype C HIV-1.   PLoS Pathogens.

Rong, R., Bibollet-Ruche, F., Mulenga, J., & Allen, S. (2007).  The role of V1V2 and other HIV-1 envelope domains in resistance to autologous neutralization during clade C infection.   J Virol..

Rong, R., Gnanakaran, G., Decker, J.M, Bibollet-Ruche, F., Taylor, J., J.N. Sfakianos, J.L. Mokili, M. Muldoon, J. Mulenga, S. Allen, B.H. Hahn, G.M. Shaw, J.L. Blackwell, E. Hunter, C.A. Derdeyn. (2007).  Unique mutational patterns in the envelope alpha 2 amphipathic helix and acquisition of length in gp120 hypervariable domainsare associated with resistance to autologous neutralization of subtype C human immunodeficiency virus type 1.   J Virol.

Atherosclerosis, S., Penumetcha, M., Merchant, N.K., Santanam, N., Rong, R., S. Parthasarathy. (2005).  Exercise reduces preexisting atherosclerotic lesions in LDL receptor kinock out mice.   Atherosclerosis.

Ahn, J., Rong, R., Kroll, T., Van Meir, E., Snyder, S., Ye K. (2004).  PIKE (PI 3-kinase-enhancer)-A GTPase stimulates Akt activity and regulates cancer cell invasion.   J Biol Chem, 279 (16), 16441-51.

Rong, R., Surace, E.I., Haipek, C.A., Gutmann, D.H., & Ye, K. (2004).  Serine 518 phosphorylation modulates merlin intramolecular association and binding to critical effectors important for NF2 growth suppression.   Oncogene, 23 (52), 8447-54.

Ahn, J., Rong, R., Liu, X., & Ye, K. (2004).  PIKE/nuclear PI 3-kinase signaling mediates the antiapoptotic actions of NGF in the nucleus.   EMBO J., 23 (20), 3995-4006.

Rong, R., Tang, X., Gutmann, D.H., & Ye, K. (2004).  Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) tumor suppressor, merlin inhibits phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase through binding to PIKE-L.   Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.

Rong, R., Ahn, J., Chen, P., Suh, P., & Ye, K. (2003).  Phospholipase activity of PLC-?1 is required for NGF-regulated MAP kinase signaling cascade in PC12 cells.   J Biol, 278 (52), 52497-503.

Ramachandran, S. & Parthasarathy, S. (2003).  Oxidants and antioxidants affect the expression of glycodelin.   Free Radic Biol Med.

Rong, R., Ahn, J., Huang, H., Nagata, E., Kalman, D., J. Kapp, J. Tu, P. Worley, S. Synder, K. Ye. (2003).  PI3 kinase enhancer-Homer complex couples mGluRI to PI3 kinase, prevent neuronal apoptosis.   kinase, prevent neuronal apoptosis.

Rong, R., Ramachandran, S., Santanam, N., Murphy, A., & Parthasarathy, S. (2002).  Induction of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in peritoneal mesothelial andendometrial cells by oxidized low-density lipoprotein and peritoneal fluid from women with endometriosis.   Fertil Ster, 78 (4), 843-848.

Santanam, N., Song,, M., Rong, R., Murphy, A., & Partharathy., S. (2002).  Atherosclerosis, oxidation and endometriosis.   Free Radic Res, 36 (12), 1315-21.

Rong, R., Ramachandran, S., Penumetcha, M., Khan, N., & Parthasarathy, S. (2002).  Dietary oxidized fatty acids may enhance intestinal apolipoprotein A-I production.   Lipid Res.

Rong, R., Ramachandran, S., Santanam, N., Murphy, A., & Parthasarathy, S. (2002).  Induction of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 by oxidized LDL and peritoneal from endometriosis subjectsfluid.   Fertil Steril.

Publications 

Rong, R. & Shi, C. (2015). Simian Immunodeficiency Virus. Epidemic Diseases in Laboratory Animals. China Agriculture Press. 

Rong, R. & Luo, L. (1999). The symptoms, signs and diagnosis of endometriosis. Chinese Obstetrics and Gynecology (pp. 1278 -1281). People's Health Press, Peking.. 

Rong, R. & Luo, L. (1998). Alloimmune of red blood cells. Reproductive Immunology. (pp. 91-108). Hubei Science and Technology Press. 

Research Grants 

Research

2014 [Year 3 of 4]: Rong, R. Molecular Mechanisms of Ligand-induced Selective signalling at the Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Receptor, Co-Investigator, GOV-National Science Foundation (NSF).

2013 [Year 1 of 2]: Rong, R. Charaterization of Simian Type D Retroviruses from Monkeys in Chinese Breeding Farms, Principal Investigator, Jiangsu University Natural Science Research Programme.

2012: Rong, R. Postgraduate Research Student Fund.

2012: Rong, R. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

2011: Rong, R. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

2010: Rong, R. Research Development Fund, Co-Investigator.