Ning Xia

Vascular ageing contributes to the age-dependent rise of hypertension and atherosclerotic diseases. Increased arterial stiffness and impaired vascular function are the two most clinically important events that occur with vascular ageing. Arterial stiffening and vascular function vary widely even among healthy middle-aged and older adults. This observation suggests that one, or most likely several, factors influence these vascular characteristics with adult ageing.

Our research is focused on molecular mechanisms of vascular dysfunction and vascular remodelling. Our group is particularly interested in the role of adipocyte eNOS (endothelial NO synthase), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and B lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of vascular ageing. Preventing vascular ageing may represent a key therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular disease. Our research aims to improve the understanding of the pathogenesis of vascular ageing and to identify potential therapeutic targets in reversing age-dependent arterial remodelling.

Identifiers/ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5553-1752

Research website

Positions held

• Since 2007: Group leader, Research Scientist and Lecturer, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz
• 2004 - 2007: Research Scientist, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, Medical Centre of Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main
• 2001 - 2004: Research Scientist, Institute of Atherosclerosis, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg
• 1998 - 2000: Research Assistant, University Medical Centre of Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz
• 1994 - 1998: Physician, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China
• 1991 - 1994: Physician, Medical Centre, Hubei TCM University, Wuhan, China

Education

• 2024: Habilitation, Department of Pharmacology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz
• 2000: MD, Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Centre of Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz
• 1991: Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China

Selected publications by Ning Xia

Man AWC, Zhou Y, Reifenberg G, Camp A, Munzel T, Daiber A, Xia N^# and Li H^# (2023) Deletion of adipocyte NOS3 potentiates high-fat diet-induced hypertension and vascular remodeling via chemerin. Cardiovasc Res, (^#indicates joint correspondence) Link   

Karl M, Hasselwander S, Zhou Y, Reifenberg G, Kim YO, Park KS, Ridder DA, Wang X, Seidel E, Hovelmeyer N, Straub BK, Li H^#, Schuppan D^# and Xia N^# (2022) Dual roles of B lymphocytes in mouse models of diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Hepatology, 76:1135–49 (^#indicates joint correspondence) Link  

Man AWC, Zhou Y, Lam UDP, Reifenberg G, Werner A, Habermeier A, Closs EI, Daiber A, Munzel T, Xia N^# and Li H^# (2022) L-Citrulline ameliorates pathophysiology in a rat model of superimposed preeclampsia. Br J Pharmacol, 179:3007–23 (^#indicates joint correspondence) Link    

Xia N, Weisenburger S, Koch E, Burkart M, Reifenberg G, Forstermann U and Li H (2017) Restoration of perivascular adipose tissue function in diet-induced obese mice without changing bodyweight. Br J Pharmacol, 174:3443–53 Link  

Xia N, Horke S, Habermeier A, Closs EI, Reifenberg G, Gericke A, Mikhed Y, Munzel T, Daiber A, Forstermann U and Li H (2016) Uncoupling of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in perivascular adipose tissue of diet-induced obese mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 36:78–85 Link