David Zhi-Zhou He, MD, PhD

Professor

Biomedical Sciences

D He

Contact

School of Medicine
Biomedical Sciences
Graduate School
Neuroscience (Master of Science)
Biomedical Sciences (Doctorate)
Biomedical Sciences (Master of Science)
Translational Hearing
CRISS I - Criss 1 - 315

David Zhi-Zhou He, MD, PhD

Professor

Biomedical Sciences

David Z. He graduated from Medical School of Southeast University with MD in 1983.  He studied with Dr. Zhi-An Liang at the Shanghai Institute of Physiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and received his PhD in Physiology in 1990.  His postdoctoral training in the area of neuroscience was with Dr. Peter Dallos at Northwestern University.  He was an Associate Professor at Creighton University School of Medicine between 2003 and 2007 and promoted to professor with tenure in 2007. Dr. He has published his studies on prestin, mechanotransduction, and hair cell development and repair in the prestigious journals such as Nature, Science, Nature Neuroscience, and PNAS.  He was a regular member of NIH AUD Study Section between 2006 and 2010 and a regulate member of the CDRC/NIDCD study section between 2016 and 2020.  He reviews manuscripts for Nature Neuroscience, Nature Review Neuroscience, Neuron, PNAS, and the Journal of Neuroscience.  He has been invited to give seminars at Institutions in the US, Europe, Japan and China. He has received several awards, including the Sandy and David Marshall Award for Excellence in Auditory Science from American Hearing Research Foundation, Distinguished Research Career Award from Creighton University School of Medicine and University Research Award. 

Teaching Interests

  • Neuroscience

Research Focus

Inner and outer hair cells (IHCs and OHCs) are the two types of mechanoreceptor cells in the mammalian cochlea of the inner ear that transduce mechanical stimuli into electrical activity. IHCs are the true sensory receptor cells that transmit auditory input to the brain. OHCs are a mammalian innovation with a unique capability to change length in response to changes in receptor potential. Using RNA-seq analysis of adult and aging mouse cochleae, we identified genes that are differentially expressed in these two cell types. The goal is to characterize genes underlying the unique structure and function of IHCs and OHCs as well as molecular mechanisms of biological aging of hair cells.  We employ a variety of in vitro and in vivo experimental techniques including electrophysiology (system and cellular), immunocytochemistry, advanced imaging (electron and confocal microscopy), mouse genetics and molecular biology.

Department

Biomedical Sciences

Position

Professor

Books

  • Walters Brad, Hair Cells: From Molecules to Function, Volume II 2022
  • Audition
    Beisel K. W., Genetics of Mechanoreceptor Evolution and Development [Book Chapter] 2008
  • The Senses: A Comprehensive Reference
    Beisel K.W., Genetics of mechanoreceptor evolution and development [Book Chapter] 2008

Publications

  • Frontiers in neurology
    Giffen Kimberlee P., Molecular specializations underlying phenotypic differences in inner ear hair cells of zebrafish and mice
    15 2024
  • JCI insight
    Ingersoll Matthew A, Dabrafenib protects from cisplatin-induced hearing loss in a clinically relevant mouse model 2023
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS
    Xie Zhifang, ZBTB20 is essential for cochlear maturation and hearing in mice
    120:24, p. e2220867120 - e2220867120 2023
  • Frontiers in cellular neuroscience
    Xu Zhenhang, Profiling mouse cochlear cell maturation using 10x Genomics single-cell transcriptomics
    16 2022
  • Liu Ke, Editorial 2022
  • Cell Reports
    Liu Huizhan, Molecular and cytological profiling of biological aging of mouse cochlear inner and outer hair cells
    39:2 2022
  • Science Advances
    Giffen Kimberlee P., Mutation of SLC7A14 causes auditory neuropathy and retinitis pigmentosa mediated by lysosomal dysfunction
    8:14 2022
  • BMC Neuroscience
    Zu Mian, SCN11A gene deletion causes sensorineural hearing loss by impairing the ribbon synapses and auditory nerves
    22:1 2021
  • Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
    Qi Yue, Deletion of C1ql1 Causes Hearing Loss and Abnormal Auditory Nerve Fibers in the Mouse Cochlea
    15 2021
  • Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
    Li Yi, Endolymphatic Potential Measured From Developing and Adult Mouse Inner Ear
    14 2020
  • Cell and Tissue Research
    Nichols David H., Interaction with ectopic cochlear crista sensory epithelium disrupts basal cochlear sensory epithelium development in Lmx1a mutant mice
    380:3, p. 435 - 448 2020
  • Frontiers in Neuroscience
    Giffen Kimberlee P., Expression of Protein-Coding Gene Orthologs in Zebrafish and Mouse Inner Ear Non-sensory Supporting Cells
    13 2019
  • Scientific reports
    Rocha-Sanchez Sonia M., Quinoxaline protects zebrafish lateral line hair cells from cisplatin and aminoglycosides damage (vol 8, 15119, 2018)
    9 2019
  • The FASEB journal
    Morrill Seth, The Effects of Bcl6 KO in Mouse Cochlear Hair Cells
    33:S1, p. 610.14 - 610.14 2019
  • The FASEB Journal
    Giffen Kimberlee, Characterizing the Role of Kcnq5a in Zebrafish Inner Ear Hair Cells
    33:S1 2019
  • Cell Reports
    Ranum Paul T., Insights into the Biology of Hearing and Deafness Revealed by Single-Cell RNA Sequencing
    26:11, p. 3160 - 3171.e3 2019
  • Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
    Hu Qun, Deletion of Kncn Does Not Affect Kinocilium and Stereocilia Bundle Morphogenesis and Mechanotransduction in Cochlear Hair Cells
    11 2018
  • Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
    Li Yi, Characterization of hair cell-like cells converted from supporting cells after notch inhibition in cultures of the organ of corti from neonatal gerbils
    12 2018
  • Scientific Data
    Barta Cody L., RNA-seq transcriptomic analysis of adult zebrafish inner ear hair cells
    5 2018
  • Scientific Data
    Li Yi, Transcriptomes of cochlear inner and outer hair cells from adult mice
    5 2018
  • Journal of Otology
    Morrill Seth, Apoptosis in inner ear sensory hair cells
    12:4, p. 151 - 164 2017
  • Reproduction Fertility and Development
    Guo Weiwei, The Morphological and Functional Development of the Stria Vascularis in Miniature Pigs
    29:3, p. 585 - 593 2017
  • PloS One
    Liu Huizhan, Organ of Corti and Stria Vascularis: Is there an Interdependence for Survival?
    11:12 2016
  • Plos One
    Li Yi, Transcription Factors Expressed in Mouse Cochlear Inner and Outer Hair Cells
    11:3, p. e0151291 - e0151291 2016
  • Journal of Biological Chemistry
    Lovas Sandor, Glutamate Transporter Homolog-based Model Predicts That Anion-pi Interaction Is the Mechanism for the Voltage-dependent Response of Prestin
    290:40, p. 24326 - 24339 2015
  • Nature Communications
    Ren An-Jing, ZBTB20 regulates nociception and pain sensation by modulating TRP channel expression in nociceptive sensory neurons
    5, p. Article number 4984 2014
  • PLoS One
    Zhang Qian, Identifying microRNAs involved in aging of the lateral wall of the cochlear duct
    9:11, p. e112857 - e112857 2014
  • Journal of Neuroscience
    Liu H., Characterization of transcriptomes of cochlear inner and outer hair cells
    34:33, p. 11085 - 11095 2014
  • Journal of Neuroscience
    Liu Heping, Characterization of Transcriptomes of Cochlear Inner and Outer Hair Cells
    34:33, p. 11085 - 11095 2014
  • PLoS One
    Li Jun, Morphology and Ciliary Motion of Mucosa in the Eustachian Tube of Neonatal and Adult Gerbils
    9:6, p. e99840 2014
  • Hearing Research
    He David Z. Z., Prestin at year 14: progress and prospect
    311, p. 25 - 35 2014
  • PloS one
    Mao Zhongping, How Well Can Centenarians Hear?
    8:6, p. - 2013
  • PloS one
    Zhang Qian, Identifying MicroRNAs Involved in Degeneration of the Organ of Corti during Age-Related Hearing Loss
    8:4 2013
  • PloS one
    Tang Jie, Lizard and Frog Prestin
    8:1 2013
  • PLoS One
    Mao Zhongping, How Well Can Centenarians Hear?
    8:6, p. 1 - 7 2013
  • PloS one
    Yuan Yongyi, Molecular Epidemiology and Functional Assessment of Novel Allelic Variants of SLC26A4 in Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss Patients with Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct in China
    7:11, p. - 2012
  • Journal of Physiology
    Ren Anjing, Regulation of hippocampus-dependent memory by the zinc finger protein Zbtb20 in mature CA1 neurons
    590:19, p. 4917 - 4932 2012
  • PloS one
    Yang Shi Ming, Regeneration of Stereocilia of Hair Cells by Forced Atoh1 Expression in the Adult Mammalian Cochlea
    7:9, p. - 2012
  • Acta Oto-Laryngologica
    Xu Jin Cao, Type I hair cell regeneration induced by Math1 gene transfer following neomycin ototoxicity in rat vestibular sensory epithelium
    132:8, p. 819 - 828 2012
  • PLoS One
    Yuan Yongyi, Molecular Epidemiology and Functional Assessment of Novel Allelic Variants of SLC26A4 in Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss Patients with Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct in China
    7:11, p. e49984 - e49984 2012
  • Journal of Cell Science
    Tan Xiaodong, A motif of eleven amino acids is a structural adaptation that facilitates motor capability of eutherian prestin
    125:4, p. 1039 - 1047 2012
  • International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience
    Yang Shi Ming, The role of Smad4 in vestibular development in mice
    29:1, p. 15 - 23 2011
  • International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience
    Yang Xiao, The role of Smad4 in vestibular development in mice
    29:1, p. 15 - 23 2011
  • International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience
    Yang Xiao, Corrigendum to “The role of Smad4 in vestibular development in mice” [Int. J. Dev. Neurosci. 29 (2011) 15–23]
    29:7, p. 783 2011
  • Journal of Neurophysiology
    Xiaodong Tan, From Zebrafish to Mammal: Functional Evolution of Prestin, the Motor Protein of Cochlear Outer Hair Cells
    105:1, p. 36 - 44 2011
  • American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology
    Jia Shuping, Expression and Function of a Novel Variant of Estrogen Receptor-ER-{alpha}36 in Mouse Airway
    45:5, p. 1084 - 1089 2011
  • Journal of Biological Chemistry
    Tang Jie, Engineered pendrin: An anion transporter and molecular motor
    286:35, p. 31014 - 31021 2011
  • Brain Research
    Wang Xiang, Prestin forms oligomer with four mechanically independent subunits
    1333, p. 28 - 35 2010
  • Journal of Neuroscience
    Jia S., Fate of mammalian cochlear hair cells and stereocilia after loss of the stereocilia
    29:48, p. 15277 - 15285 2009
  • Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
    Kumano Shun, Mutation-induced reinforcement of prestin-expressing cells
    389:4, p. 569 - 574 2009
  • Developmental Dynamics
    Yang Xiao, Chondrocyte-Specific Smad4 Gene Conditional Knockout Results in Hearing Loss and Inner Ear Malformation in Mice
    238:8, p. 1897 - 1908 2009
  • Developmental neurobiology (Hoboken, N.J.)
    Yang Shi-Ming, Smad5 Haploinsufficiency Leads to Hair Cell and Hearing Loss
    69:2-3, p. 153 - 161 2009
  • Journal of Neuroscience
    Jia Shuping, Fate of Mammalian Cochlear Hair Cells and Stereocilia after Loss of the Stereocilia
    29:48, p. 15277 - 15285 2009
  • Developmental Dynamics
    Yang Shi Ming, Chondrocyte-specific Smad4 gene conditional knockout results in hearing loss and inner ear malformation in mice
    238:8, p. 1897 - 1908 2008
  • Brain Research
    Wu Xudong, Glucose transporter 5 is undetectable in outer hair cells and does not contribute to cochlear amplification
    1210, p. 20 - 28 2008
  • Neuron
    Dallos Peter, Prestin-Based Outer Hair Cell Motility Is Necessary for Mammalian Cochlear Amplification
    58:3, p. 333 - 339 2008
  • Brain Research
    Wu Xudong, Glucose transporter 5 is undetectable in outer hair cells and does not contribute to cochlear amplification
    1210, p. 20 - 28 2008
  • Hearing Research
    Wang Xiang, Streptomycin and gentamicin have no immediate effect on outer hair cell electromotility
    234:1-2, p. 52 - 58 2007
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
    Gao Jiangang, Prestin-based outer hair cell electromotility in knockin mice does not appear to adjust the operating point of a cilia-based amplifier
    104:30, p. 12542 - 12547 2007
  • Journal of Physiology
    Albert Jörg T., Voltage-sensitive prestin orthologue expressed in zebrafish hair cells
    580:2, p. 451 - 461 2007
  • Journal of Physiology
    Albert J. T., Voltage-sensitive prestin orthologue expressed in zebrafish hair cells
    580:Pt. 2, p. 451 - 461 2007
  • Journal of Neuroscience
    Jia S., Mechanoelectric transduction of adult inner hair cells
    27:5, p. 1006 - 1014 2007
  • Journal of Neuroscience
    Jia Shuping, Mechanoelectric transduction of adult inner hair cells
    27:5, p. 1006 - 1014 2007
  • The Proceedings of the Bioengineering Conference Annual Meeting of BED/JSME
    Murakoshi Michio, 109 Atomic Force Microscopic Observation of the Conformational Changes in the Voltage-dependent Motor Protein Prestin
    2005.18, p. 25 - 26 2006
  • Journal of Membrane Biology
    He David Z. Z., Tuning in to the amazing outer hair cell: Membrane wizardry with a twist and shout
    209:2/3, p. 119 - 134 2006
  • Nature Neuroscience
    Jia Shuping, Motility-associated hair-bundle motion in mammalian outer hair cells
    8:8, p. 1028 - 1034 2005
  • Nature
    He David Z.Z., Mechanoelectrical transduction of adult outer hair cells studied in a gerbil hemicochlea
    429:6993, p. 766 - 770 2004
  • Developmental Brain Research
    He David Z.Z., Mouse outer hair cells lacking the α9 ACh receptor are motile
    148:1, p. 19 - 25 2004
  • Journal of Neuroscience
    He David Z.Z., Prestin and the dynamic stiffness of cochlear outer hair cells
    23:27, p. 9089 - 9096 2003
  • Journal of Physiology
    He David Z.Z., Chick hair cells do not exhibit voltage-dependent somatic motility
    546:2, p. 511 - 520 2003
  • Nature
    Liberman M. Charles, Prestin is required for electromotility of the outer hair cell and for the cochlear amplifier
    419:6904, p. 300 - 304 2002
  • Audiology and Neuro-Otology
    Zheng Jing, Identification of differentially expressed cDNA clones from gerbil cochlear outer hair cells
    7:5, p. 277 - 288 2002
  • Brain Research
    Szönyi Magdolna, Intracellular calcium and outer hair cell electromotility
    922:1, p. 65 - 70 2001
  • Science
    Oliver D., Intracellular anions as the voltage sensor of prestin, the outer hair cell motor protein
    292:5525, p. 2340 - 2343 2001
  • Nature
    Zheng Jing, Prestin is the motor protein of cochlear outer hair cells
    405:6783, p. 149 - 155 2000
  • JARO - Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology
    Richter C. P., Development of the gerbil inner ear observed in the hemicochlea
    1:3, p. 195 - 210 2000
  • JARO - Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology
    He D. Z.Z., Properties of voltage-dependent somatic stiffness of cochlear outer hair cells
    1:1, p. 64 - 81 2000
  • JARO - Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology
    Dallos Peter, Two models of outer hair cell stiffness and motility
    1:4, p. 283 - 291 2000
  • Hearing Research
    He David Z.Z., Isolation of cochlear inner hair cells
    145:1-2, p. 156 - 160 2000
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
    He D. Z.Z., Somatic stiffness of cochlear outer hair cells is voltage-dependent
    96:14, p. 8223 - 8228 1999
  • Journal of Neurophysiology
    He David Z.Z., Development of acetylcholine-induced responses in neonatal gerbil outer hair cells
    81:3, p. 1162 - 1170 1999
  • Developmental Brain Research
    He David Z.Z., Expression of potassium channels in gerbil outer hair cells during development does not require neural induction
    103:1, p. 95 - 97 1997
  • Journal of Neuroscience
    Dallos Peter, Acetylcholine, outer hair cell electromotility, and the cochlear amplifier
    17:6, p. 2212 - 2226 1997
  • ORL
    Liu Tien Chen, A novel, simple organotypic culture method to study the organ of corti from the neonatal gerbil
    59:5, p. 243 - 247 1997
  • Journal of Neuroscience
    He David Z.Z., Relationship between the development of outer hair cell electromotility and efferent innervation
    17:10, p. 3634 - 3643 1997
  • Hearing Research
    Sziklai István, Effect of acetylcholine and GABA on the transfer function of electromotility in isolated outer hair cells
    95:1-2, p. 87 - 99 1996
  • Hearing Research
    He David Z.Z., First appearance and development of electromotility in neonatal gerbil outer hair cells
    78:1, p. 77 - 90 1994

Presentations

  • ARO Meeting 2023
  • Poster presentation at Annual meeting of association for research in otolarynogology at San Joe 2020
  • Four Poster presentations at Annual Meeting of Association for Research in Otolaryngology in San Joe 2020
  • Poster presentation at Annual Meeting of Association for Research in Otolaryngology at San Joe 2020
  • Podium presentation at 5th International meeting on hearing loss, Beijing, China 2019
  • Presentation on 5th International meeing on hearing loss, Beijing, China 2019
  • Seminar given at Biology Department of University of Iowa 2015
  • Poster presentation at 48th ARO meeting in Baltimore 2015
  • Podium presentation at 48th ARO meeting in Baltimore 2015
  • Poster presentation at Inner Ear Biology Meeting in Japan 2014
  • Podium presentation at Inner Ear Biology Meeting in Japan 2014
  • Poster Presentation at annual ARO meeting 2014
  • Poster presentation at annual Meeting 2014
  • Seminar speaker at Boys Town National Research Hospital 2010
  • Seminar Speaker at Qinghua University 2010
  • Poster Presentation, ARO meeting 2010
  • Oral Presentation ARO Meeting 2010
  • Poster Presentation at ARO meeting 2010
  • Seminar Speaker at Tohoko University 2010
  • Invited Seminar Speaker, Medical University of South Carolina 2010
  • 46th Inner Ear Biology Meeting 2009
  • Seminar speaker at Johns Hopkins University 2009
  • departmental seminar 2009
  • ARO poster 2009
  • ARO annual meeting 2009
  • ARO poster presentation 2009
  • Seminar speaker at University of Michigan 2008
  • invited seminar at boys town national research hospital 2008
  • 5th International Conference on Nanotechnology in Biomedical Research 2008
  • invited seminar at NIDCD, NIH 2008
  • Poster, Annual meeting of the Association for research of otolaryngology 2008
  • Poster, Annual Meeting of the Association for research of otolaryngology 2008
  • Podium presentation at Annual meeting of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology 2008
  • Department Seminar 2008
  • Keynote speaker, 30th international conference on comparative physiology, Brazil 2007
  • Invited Seminar Speaker at UC Irvine 2007
  • Feature Presentation at 4th International Conference on Hearing Sciences, Beijing, China 2007
  • Invited Seminar at NIDCD/NIH, Bethesda 2007
  • Poster Presentation at ARO Annual Meeting, Denver 2007
  • Podium Presentation at ARO Annual Meeting, Denver 2007
  • Seminar speaker at University of North Dakota 2006
  • Seminar speaker at University of Washington 2006
  • Prsentation at ARO, Baltimore 2006
  • ARO Annual Meeting at Baltimore 2006
  • Seminar speaker at Depts of Otolaryngology, and Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado 2005
  • 2nd Swiss-Japan conference on biomechanics, Kyoto, Japan 2005
  • Invited lecture at Koyto University, Japan 2005
  • Auditory Mechanisms: Processes and Models. Oregon, Portland, USA 2005
  • Invited seminar speaker at NIDCD (NIH) 2005
  • XXXI International conference of Physiology 2005
  • Poster presentation at aro annual meeting 2005
  • Assoc. Res. Otolaryngology mid winter meeting. 2005
  • Gordon research conference on neurobiology of the sensory system in Hong Kong 2004
  • Gordon Research Conference in Hong Kong 2004
  • ARO Annual Meeting in Florida. 2004
  • ARO Meeting in Florida 2004
  • ARO Meeting in florida 2004
  • The 2nd International Symposium on Future Medical Engineering Based on Bio-Nanotechnology, Japan. 2003
  • ARO Meeting 2003
  • ARO Meeting 2003
  • ARO Meeting 2003
  • ARO Meeting 2003
  • ARO Meeting 2003
  • Presentations at the Annual Meeting of the Association for Research on Otolaryngology in Florida 2003
  • ARO mid-winter meeting in Florida 2003
  • Seminar speaker at UNMC 2002
  • Presentation at the Meeting of Biophysics of the Cochlea in Germany 2002

Other

  • SLC7A14 and Syndromic Hearing Loss

  • Mechanisms of Biological Aging of Cochlear Hair Cells

  • Characterization of GJB2 Deficient Mouse Models

  • SLC7A14 and Syndromic Hearing Loss

  • Mechanisms of Biological Aging of Cochlear Hair Cells

  • Characterization of GJB2 Deficient Mouse Models

Awards

  • Intramural Research Award
    Receiving Award from Health Future Foundation of CUSOM

Consulting

  • ZRG1 IFCN-E Study Section
    Panel Member
    The panel of which Dr. He was a member reviewed grants for NIH.
    NIH
    2021 - 2021