Check out our recent study published in JMCC, where we describe a novel smooth muscle-specific Cre driver generated by inserting nuclear Cre into the Myh11 gene locus via homologous recombination. This Cre driver line provides a robust tool for tracing Myh11-positive smooth muscle cell lineages and for manipulating gene function specifically in smooth muscle cells during embryonic development in both male and female mice.

Read the publication in JMCC

Major Research Interests

The long-term focus of Dr. Zhou’s research program is to unravel the mechanisms that regulate the phenotype of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), a critical cell type found in blood vessels, which circulate blood throughout the body, and in gastrointestinal (GI) organs, which propel waste through the GI tract. The Zhou lab seeks to define the epigenetic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional and -translational mechanisms that govern SMC behavior and contribute to cardiovascular development and disease, as well as visceral myopathy. Current research is focused on two major areas: Hippo-YAP-TEAD signaling and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in SMCs.

Dr. Zhou was among the first to uncover important biological roles of the Hippo-YAP-TEAD pathway in the cardiovascular system. His pioneering work demonstrated that YAP plays a dual role in vascular SMCs, both attenuating smooth muscle-specific gene expression and promoting SMC proliferation (Wang et al., ATVB, 2012). Functional studies in mice further showed that conditional deletion of YAP in embryonic SMCs led to a hypoplastic vascular wall due to reduced SMC proliferation (Wang et al., Circulation Research, 2014; cover article). More recently, Dr. Zhou’s lab generated an inducible, SMC-specific YAP knockout mouse to study YAP’s role in postnatal SMCs (Islam et al., JMCC, 2021). The lab has since expanded this research to investigate TEAD1, a nuclear effector of Hippo signaling, in the cardiovascular system (Liu et al., JBC, 2014; Wen et al., Cell Death & Differentiation, 2019; Osman et al., Circulation Research, 2019; Liu et al., Cell Death & Differentiation, 2021). These exciting findings not only highlight the critical role of the evolutionarily conserved Hippo-YAP-TEAD pathway in the cardiovascular system, but also open new avenues for research in smooth muscle biology.

In recent years, Dr. Zhou’s laboratory has developed a robust research program in the emerging field of long non-coding and circular RNAs (Wang et al., JBC, 2010; Xu et al., ATVB, 2015; Ahmed et al., PNAS, 2018; Dong et al., BMC Medical Genomics, 2020; Dong et al., Circulation, 2021; He et al., Gastroenterology, 2023; He et al., Gastro Hep Adv, 2024). Notably, his group identified CARMN, initially annotated as the host gene of the MIR143/145 cluster, as a highly abundant, conserved, and SMC-specific lncRNA (Dong et al., Circulation, 2021). Recent work further revealed that the lncRNA CARMN is a critical regulator of intestinal smooth muscle contractility (He et al., Gastroenterology, 2023; He et al., Gastro Hep Adv, 2024), highlighting the important role of lncRNAs in smooth muscle biology. This exciting new direction is poised to yield breakthroughs that will expand our understanding of the mechanisms underlying visceral smooth muscle differentiation and the etiology of visceral myopathy in humans.

Dr. Zhou’s laboratory utilizes integrative approaches ranging from in silico analysis to wet-lab studies, spanning single-cell to whole-animal models. His research has been continuously funded by the NIH and the American Heart Association (AHA). Dr. Zhou has a consistent track record of productivity and innovation in smooth muscle biology. He is also a dedicated mentor, highly motivated to train the next generation of scientists.

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

1. Dong K, Bai Z, He X, Zhang L, Hu G, Yao Y, Cai CL, Zhou J. Generation of a novel constitutive smooth muscle cell-specific Myh11-driven Cre mouse model. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2025 May;202:144-152. doi: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2025.03.010. Epub 2025 Mar 21. PMID: 40122158.
2. He X, Zhang LU, Dong K, Fulton DJ, Cai CL, Zhou J. The IncRNA, Cardiac Mesoderm Enhancer-Associated Noncoding RNA Is Indispensable for Intestinal Smooth Muscle Homeostasis in Female Mice as Revealed by a Novel Endogenous Myh11-Encoded Inducible Cre Model. Gastro Hep Adv. 2024;3(3):399-401. doi: 10.1016/j.gastha.2023.12.012. Epub 2024 Jan 2. PMID: 38737599; PMCID: PMC11087057.
3. He X, Dong K, Shen J, Hu G, Mintz JD, Atawia RT, Zhao J, Chen X, Caldwell RW, Xiang M, Stepp DW, Fulton DJ, Zhou J. The Long Noncoding RNA Cardiac Mesoderm Enhancer-Associated Noncoding RNA (Carmn) Is a Critical Regulator of Gastrointestinal Smooth Muscle Contractile Function and Motility. Gastroenterology. 2023 Apr 6: S0016-5085(23)00583-8. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro. 2023.03.229. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37030336.
4. Dong K, Shen J, He X, Hu G, Wang L, Osman I, Bunting KM, Dixon-Melvin R, Zheng Z, Xin H, Xiang M, Vazdarjanova A, Fulton DJR, Zhou J. CARMN Is an Evolutionarily Conserved Smooth Muscle Cell-Specific LncRNA That Maintains Contractile Phenotype by Binding Myocardin. Circulation. 2021 Dec 7;144(23):1856-1875. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.055949. Epub 2021 Oct 25. PMID: 34694145; PMCID: PMC8726016.
5. Osman I., Dong K., Kang X., Yu L., Xu F., Ahmed ASI., He X., Shen J., Hu G., Zhang W., Zhou J. YAP1/TEAD1 upregulate platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta to promote vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and neointima formation. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology. 2021 Mar 19;156:20-32. doi: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2021.03.005. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33753119.
6. He X., Dong K., Shen J., Hu G., Liu J., Kang X., Wang L., Atawia RT, Osman I., Caldwell RW, Xiang M., Zhang W., Zheng Z., Li L., Fulton DJR, Deng K., Xin H., Zhou J. Deficiency of the novel high mobility group protein HMGXB4 protects against systemic inflammation-induced endotoxemia in mice. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2021 Feb 16;118(7): e2021862118. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2021862118. PMID: 33563757.
7. Liu J., Wen T., Dong K., He X., Zhou H., Shen J., Fu Z., Hu G., Ma W., Li J., Wang W., Wang L., Akerberg BN, Xu J., Osman I., Zheng Z., Wang W., Du Q., Pu WT, Xiang M., Chen W., Su H., Zhang W., Zhou J. TEAD1 protects against necroptosis in postmitotic cardiomyocytes through regulation of nuclear DNA-encoded mitochondrial genes. Cell Death Differ. 2021 Jan 19. doi: 10.1038/s41418-020-00732-5. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33469230
8. Osman I., Wang L., Hu G., Zheng Z., Zhou J. GFAP (Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein)-positive progenitor cells contribute to the development of vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2020. 40(5):1231-1238. Selected as the cover article.
9. Wen T., Liu J., He X., Dong K., Hu G., Yu L., Yin Q., Osman I., Peng J., Zheng Z., Xin H., Fulton D., Du Q., Zhang W., Zhou J. Transcription factor TEAD1 is essential for vascular development by promoting vascular smooth muscle differentiation. Cell Death & Differentiation. 2019. 26(12): 2790-2806.
10. Osman I., He X., Liu J., Dong K., Wen T., Zhang F., Yu L., Hu G., Xin H., Zhang W., Zhou J. TEAD1 (TEA Domain Transcription Factor 1) promotes smooth muscle cell proliferation through upregulating SLC1A5 (Solute Carrier Family 1 Member 5)-mediated glutamine uptake. Circulation Research. 2019. 124(9): 1309-1322. Selected as an “Editor’s Picks” and highlighted with an editorial “Hippo and Hyperplasia: TEAD Promotes mTORC1 Activation Post-Injury”.
11. Ahmed A.S.I., Dong K., Liu J., Wen T., Yu L., Xu F., Kang X., Osman I., Hu G., Bunting KM., Crethers D., Gao H., Zhang W., Liu Y., Wen K., Agarwal G., Hirose T., Nakagawa S., Vazdarjanova A., Zhou J. Long noncoding RNA NEAT1 (nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1) is critical for phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2018, 115(37): E8660-E8667.
12. Xu F., Ahmed A., Kang X., Hu G., Liu F., Zhang W., Zhou J. MicroRNA-15b/16 attenuates vascular neointima formation by promoting the contractile phenotype of vascular smooth muscle through targeting YAP. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2015, 35(10): 2145-2152.
13. Wang Y., Hu G., Liu F., Wang X., Wu M., Schwarz J., Zhou J. Deletion of Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) specifically in cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells reveals a crucial role for YAP in mouse cardiovascular development. Circulation Research. 2014, 114(6): 957-965. Selected as the Cover Article and an “Editor’s Picks”.

Complete List of Published Work in My Bibliography

Xiaohui received her MD and PhD degrees from Nanchang University, China, in 2010 and 2017, respectively. Following graduation, she continued her research at Nanchang University as a research associate until May 2023. During this period, her work focused primarily on cardiovascular pathophysiology and the application of stem cells. In May 2023, she joined Dr. Zhou’s laboratory as a postdoctoral fellow. Her current research aims to elucidate the functional roles and molecular mechanisms of key smooth muscle-specific transcription factors in vascular homeostasis. Outside the lab, Xiaohui enjoys traveling and exploring new places.

Min received her Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from Nanchang University, China, in 2019. To further pursue her academic interests, she continued her studies at Nanchang University, where she earned her Master’s degree in 2022 and her Ph.D. in 2025. During her graduate training, her research focused on elucidating the roles of vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells in vascular disease. In September 2025, she joined Professor Zhou’s laboratory as a postdoctoral fellow. Her current research investigates the functions and regulatory mechanisms of smooth muscle cell–specific genes in vascular diseases such as aortic aneurysm. Outside the lab, she enjoys watching movies and traveling with family and friends.

Megan received her BS in Biology, with a minor in Leadership Studies, from the University of Tampa in Tampa, FL, in 2020. As an undergraduate researcher, she worked under the direction of Dr. Pavan Rajanahalli, studying mesenchymal stem cells as a potential treatment for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Her passion for research led her to pursue an MS degree in Biological Sciences at Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL, from 2022 to 2024. Under the mentorship of Dr. Kimberly Rowland, her thesis focused on mortality following traumatic brain injury in the presence of the human genetic neurodegenerative risk factor, APOE ε4, using a fruit fly model. In May 2025, she began her PhD studies in the Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience Program at LSUHS. In the Zhou lab, she is investigating the functional role and molecular regulatory mechanisms of a smooth muscle-specific gene in smooth muscle cells. Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, and traveling.

Zhongshu graduated in 2025 from the joint program between Nanchang University in China and Queen Mary University of London in the UK, earning a Bachelor of Clinical Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences. He is currently a PhD student in the Zhou Lab, where his research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of posttranscriptional regulation in smooth muscle phenotypic change. His work aims to advance our understanding of smooth muscle cell behavior and its relevance to vascular biology and disease. He is an avid soccer fan. He not only loves watching soccer games but also enjoys playing.

Dr. Zhou’s laboratory is currently seeking motivated postdoctoral fellows and Ph.D. students to join his dynamic research team. The lab has a strong track record of successful trainee development, including past recipients of AHA Career Development Award and NIH K99 awards who have gone on to establish independent research careers, and is committed to supporting the professional growth of its members. In addition to the lab environment, LSUHS’s cardiovascular program as a whole provides an exceptional setting for career advancement.

If you are passionate about scientific discovery and interested in exploring the inner workings of smooth muscle biology, please contact Dr. Zhou at jiliang.zhou@lsuhs.edu.