Wei Chao, MD, PhD, FAHA

Ding W, Fischer L, Chen Q, Li Z, Yang L, You Z, Hu K, Wu X, Zhou X, Chao W, Hu P, Dagnew TM, DuBreuil DM, Wang S, Xia S, Bao C, Zhu S, Chen L, Wang C, Wainger B, Jin P, Mao J, Feng G, Harnett MT, Shen S. Highly synchronized cortical circuit dynamics mediate spontaneous pain in mice. J Clin Invest. 2023 Mar 1;133(5):e166408. PMID: 36602876. View Article

Zeineddin A, Wu F, Chao W, Zhou L, Vesselinov R, Chipman A, Dong JF, Huang H, Pati S, Kozar RA. Biomarkers Of Endothelial Cell Dysfunction Persist Beyond Resuscitation In Patients With Hemorrhagic Shock. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2022 Nov 1;93(5):572-578. PMID: 35939376. View Article

Williams B, Zhu J, Zou L, Chao W. Innate immune TLR7 signaling mediates platelet activation and platelet-leukocyte aggregate formation in murine bacterial sepsis. Platelets. 2022 Nov 17;33(8):1251-1259. PMID: 35920588. View Article

Huang H, Zhu J, Gu L, Hu J, Feng X, Huang W, Wang S, Yang Y, Cui P, Lin SH, Suen A, Shimada BK, Williams B, Kane MA, Ke Y, Zhang CO, Birukova AA, Birukov KG, Chao W, Zou L. TLR7 Mediates Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Sepsis by Sensing Extracellular miR-146a. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2022 Sep;67(3):375-388. PMID: 35679261. View Article (Editorial Article)

Wang S, Yang Y, Suen A, Zhu J, Williams B, Hu J, Chen F, Kozar R, Shen S, Li Z, Jeyaram A, Jay SM, Zou L, Chao W. Role of extracellular microRNA-146a-5p in host innate immunity and bacterial sepsis. iScience. 2021 Nov 13;24(12):103441. PMID: 34877498. View Article

Zou L, He J, Gu L, Shahror RA, Li Y, Cao T, Wang S, Zhu J, Huang H, Chen F, Fan X, Wu J, Chao W. Brain innate immune response via miRNA-TLR7 sensing in polymicrobial sepsis. Brain Behav Immun. 2022 Feb:100:10-24. PMID: 34808293. View Article

Brammer J, Wolf G, Baliban SM, Allen JC, Choi M, Kambouris AR, Simon R, Fiskum G, Chao W, Lopez K, Miller C, Singh NJ, Cross AS. A non-lethal full-thickness flame burn produces a seroma beneath the forming eschar thereby promoting Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis in mice. J Burn Care Res. 2022 Jul 1;43(4):792-801. PMID: 34739051. View Article

Kronstadt SM, Pottash AE, Levy D, Wang S, Chao W, Jay SM. Therapeutic Potential of Extracellular Vesicles for Sepsis Treatment. Adv Ther (Weinh). 2021 Jul;4(7):2000259. PMID: 34423113. View Article

Brammer J, Choi M, Baliban SM, Kambouris AR, Fiskum G, Chao W, Lopez K, Miller C, Al-Abed Y, Vogel SN, Simon R, Cross AS. A Nonlethal Murine Flame Burn Model Leads to a Transient Reduction in Host Defenses and Enhanced Susceptibility to Lethal Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection. Infect Immun. 2021 Sep 16;89(10):e0009121. PMID: 34152806. View Article

Shimada BK, Boyman L, Huang W, Zhu J, Yang Y, Chen F, Kane MA, Yadava N, Zou L, Lederer WJ, Polster BM, Chao W. Pyruvate-Driven Oxidative Phosphorylation is Downregulated in Sepsis-Induced Cardiomyopathy: A Study Of Mitochondrial Proteome. Shock. 2022 Apr 1;57(4):553-564. PMID: 34506367. View Article

Chen F, Zou L, Williams B, Chao W. Targeting Toll-Like Receptors in Sepsis - From Bench to Clinical Trials. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2021 Nov 20;35(15):1324-1339. PMID: 33588628 View Article

Lopez K, Suen A, Yang Y, Wang S, Williams B, Zhu J, Hu J, Fiskum G, Cross A, Kozar R, Miller C, Zou L, Chao W. Hypobaria Exposure Worsens Cardiac Function and Endothelial Injury in an Animal Model of Polytrauma: Implications for Aeromedical Evacuation. Shock. 2021 Oct 1;56(4):601-610. PMID: 33394971 View Article

Shimada BK, Yang Y, Zhu J, Wang S, Suen A, Kronstadt SM, Jeyaram A, Jay SM, Zou L, Chao W. Extracellular miR-146a-5p Induces Cardiac Innate Immune Response and Cardiomyocyte Dysfunction. Immunohorizons. 2020 Sep 21;4(9):561-572. PMID: 32958516 View Article

Wu F, Wang JY, Chao W, Sims C, Kozar RA. miR-19b targets pulmonary endothelial syndecan-1 following hemorrhagic shock. Sci Rep. 2020 Sep 25;10(1):15811. PMID: 32978505 View Article

Jeyaram A, Lamichhane TN, Wang S, Zou L, Dahal E, Kronstadt SM, Levy D, Parajuli B, Knudsen DR, Chao W, Jay SM. Enhanced Loading of Functional miRNA Cargo via pH Gradient Modification of Extracellular Vesicles. Mol Ther. 2020 Mar 4;28(3):975-985. PMID: 31911034. View Article

Williams B, Neder J, Cui P, Suen A, Tanaka K, Zou L, Chao W. Toll-like receptor 2 and 7 mediate coagulation activation and coagulopathy in murine sepsis. J. Thromb. Haemost. 2019 Oct;17(10):1683-1693. PMID: 31211901. View Article

Jian W, Gu L, Williams B, Feng Y, Chao W, Zou L. Toll-like Receptor 7 Contributes to Inflammation, Organ Injury, and Mortality in Murine Sepsis. Anesthesiology. 2019 Jul;131(1):105-118. PMID: 31045897. View Article

Szabari MV, Takahashi K, Feng Y, Locascio JJ, Chao W, Carter EA, Vidal Melo MF, Musch G. Relation between Respiratory Mechanics, Inflammation, and Survival in Experimental Mechanical Ventilation. Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. 2019 Feb;60(2):179-188. PMID: 30199644. View Article

Xu J, Feng Y, Jeyaram A, Jay SM, Zou L, Chao W. Circulating Plasma Extracellular Vesicles from Septic Mice Induce Inflammation via MicroRNA- and TLR7-Dependent Mechanisms. J. Immunol. 2018 Dec 1;201(11):3392-3400. PMID: 30355788. View Article

Ding R, Xu G, Feng Y, Zou L, Chao W. Lipopeptide PAM3CYS4 Synergizes N-Formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP)-Induced Calcium Transients in Mouse Neutrophils. Shock. 2018 Oct;50(4):493-499. PMID: 29176405. View Article

Xu G, Feng Y, Li D, Zhou Q, Chao W, Zou L. Importance of the Complement Alternative Pathway in Serum Chemotactic Activity During Sepsis. Shock. 2018 Oct;50(4):435-441. PMID: 29040213. View Article

Xu J, Zou L, Feng Y, Conn O, Chao W. Extracellular Vesicle-associated miRNAs Induce Innate Immune Response in Sepsis. Circulation. 2017. 136(1). View Article

Feng Y, Zou L, Yan D, Chen H, Xu G, Jian W, Cui P, Chao W. Extracellular MicroRNAs Induce Potent Innate Immune Responses via TLR7/MyD88-Dependent Mechanisms. J. Immunol. 2017 Sep 15;199(6):2106-2117. PMID: 28768728. View Article

Chen H., Yuan H., Cho H., Feng Y., Ngoy S., Kumar A., Liao R., Chao W., Josephson L., Sosnovik D. Theranostic Nucleic Acid Binding Nanoprobe Exerts Anti-inflammatory and Cytoprotective Effects in Ischemic Injury. Theranostics. 2017 Feb 8;7(4):814-825. PMID: 28382156 View Article

Gong Y, Zou L, Cen D, Chao W, Chen D. Reduced Expression of SARM in Mouse Spleen during Polymicrobial Sepsis. Inflammation. 2016 Dec;39(6):1930-1938. PMID: 27590237. View Article

Zou L, Feng, Y, Xu G, Jian W, Chao W. Splenic RNA, and MicroRNA Mimics Promote Complement Factor B Production and Alternative Pathway Activation via Innate Immune Signaling. J Immunol. 2016 Mar 15;196(6):2788-98. PMID: 26889043 View Article

Panagia M, Chen I, Chen HH, Ernande L, Chen C, Chao W, Kwong K, Scherrer-Crosbie M, Sosnovik DE. Functional and anatomical characterization of brown adipose tissue in heart failure with blood oxygen level-dependent Magnetic Resonance. NMR Biomed. 2016 Jul;29(7):978-84. PMID: 27226402. View Article

Li D, Zou L, Feng Y, Xu G, Yu G, Zhao G, Ouyang W, Chao W. Complement factor B production in renal tubular cells and its role in sodium transporter expression during polymicrobial sepsis. Crit Care Med. 2016 May;44(5):e289-99. PMID: 26757165. View Article

Gong Y, Zou L, Chen D, Chao W. The role of myeloid differentiation factor 88 on mitochondrial dysfunction of peritoneal leukocytes during polymicrobial sepsis. Cent Eur J Immunol. 2016;41(2):153-8. PMID: 27536200. View Article

Feng, Y., Chen, H., Cai, J., Zou, L., Xu, G., Li, D., Chao, W. Cardiac RNA Induces Inflammatory Responses in Cardiomyocytes and Immune Cells via Toll-Like Receptor 7 signaling. J Biol Chem. 2015 Oct 30;290(44):26688-98. PMID: 26363072 View Article

Zou L, Chen HH, Li D, Xu G, Feng Y, Chen C, Wang L, Sosnovik DE, Chao W. Imaging lymphoid cell death in vivo during polymicrobial sepsis. Crit Care Med. 2015 Nov;43(11):2303-12. PMID: 26335111 View Article

Thoonen R, Ernande L, Nagasaka Y, Yao V, Miranda-Bezerra A, Cheng J, Chen C, Chao W, Panagia M, Sosnovik D, Puppala D, Armoundas A, Hindle A, Bloch KD, Buys E, Scherrer-Crosbie M. Functional brown adipose Tissue limits cardiomyocyte injury and adverse remodeling in catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy. J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2015 Jul:84:202-11. PMID: 25968336 View Article

Santer P, Pejo E, Feng Y, Chao W, Raines DE. Cyclopropyl-methoxycarbonyl metomidate: Studies in a lipopolysaccharide model of sepsis. Anesthesiology. 2015 Aug;123(2):368-76. PMID: 26035348 View Article

Liu Y, Asnani A, Zou L, Bentley V, Yu M, Wang Y, Dellaire G, Sarkar KS, Dai M, Chen HH, Sosnovik DE, Shin JT, Haber DA, Berman J, Chao W, Peterson RT. Visnagin protects against doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy through inhibition of mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase. Sci Transl Med. 2014 Dec 10;6(266):266ra170. PMID: 25504881 View Article

Feng Y, Zou L, Chen C, Li D, Chao W. Role of cardiac- and myeloid-MyD88 signaling in endotoxin shock – a study with tissue-specific deletion models. Anesthesiology. 2014 Dec;121(6):1258-69. (Special Harvard Issue). PMID: 25089642 View Article

Gong Y, Zou L, Feng Y, Li D, Cai J-Y, Chen D, Chao W. Importance of Toll-like receptor 2 in mitochondrial dysfunction during polymicrobial sepsis. Anesthesiology. 2014, 121:1270-80 (Special Harvard Issue) PMID: 25272245 (Editorial View: Leone M, Moreau R. Leukocyte Toll-like Receptor 2-mitochondria Axis in Sepsis. Unraveling Immune Response Sophistication. Anesthesiology. 2014 Dec;121(6):1236–1247. View Article

Zhang M, Zou L, Feng Y, Chen YJ, Zhou Q, Ichinose F, Chao W. Toll-like Receptor 4 is essential to preserving cardiac function and survival in low-grade polymicrobial sepsis. Anesthesiology. 2014 Dec;121(6):1270-80. (Special Harvard Issue). PMID: 24937074 View Article

Funded by NIH for more than 20 years and DoD since 2017, the Chao Lab studies the molecular and cellular mechanisms of sepsis, traumatic injury, and ischemic myocardial injury. Specifically, we investigate the role of host innate immune signaling in the pathogenesis of these critical illnesses. For these basic and translational studies, we use a combination of mouse genetics (transgenics and knockouts), physiology, biochemistry, immunology, and pharmacology. We are also interested in identifying novel prognostic biomarkers in sepsis and trauma patients. These clinical studies involve a multi-disciplinary team with complementary expertise in multi-omics, bioinformatics, statistical modeling, machine-learning, animal models, and clinical investigation in several medical centers across the U.S.

Our current work focuses on four major projects:

First, we have imaged myocardial extracellular (ex) nucleic acids released following ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and demonstrated the importance of ex-RNA in myocardial inflammation and infarct following I/R insult. Through single nucleus RNAseq, we identified a remarkable changes in both myocardial cell compositions and cell-specific transcriptome in endothelial cells, cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, immune cells after I/R injury.

Second, in collaboration with multiple investigators within the STAR and throughout the University of Maryland, we study the role of ex-miRNAs-TLR7 signaling in the pathogenesis of polymicrobial sepsis, such as innate immune activation, acute lung injury, myocardial bioenergetics, coagulopathy, brain inflammation, and long-term neurocognitive dysfunction. We characterized the pro-inflammatory properties of a group of U-rich miRNAs and investigated the role of ex-mRNAs and their plasma extracellular vesicle (EV) carriers in murine sepsis.

Third, in a mouse model of polytraumatic injury, we investigate the role of innate immune signaling in the secondary inflammatory damage following trauma and the impact of hypobaric condition to the innate immune response and organ injury.

Finally, in collaboration with investigators at MGH and the STAR Clinical informatics Group, we recently launched an interdisciplinary project designed to use machine learning and computer algorithms for enhanced pain recognition. We are currently supported by grants from NIH, Air Force, International Anesthesia Research Society, and National Science Foundation.

Board certified by the ABA in 2000 and recertified in 2010 and 2022, Dr. Chao practices in Adult Multi-specialty Anesthesiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

• Tosteson Research Award, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1999
• New Investigator Award, Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research, 2000 
• Physician-Scientist Career Development Award, NHLBI, 2001
• William F. Milton Foundation Award, Harvard University, 2006
• Grant-In-Aid Award, American Heart Association, 2007
• Elected Member, Association of University Anesthesiologists, 2008 - present
• Partners in Excellence Award, Partners Health Care System, Boston, 2010
• Elected Fellow, American Heart Association, 2016 - present
• Frontiers in Anesthesia Research Award, International Anesthesia Research Society, 2018 - 2021
• Anesthesiology Endowed Professor in Translational Research, 2019 - present
• Inaugural Recipient of the Colin Mackenzie & Cristina Imle Mentoring Prize, 2021
• R35 - Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award, NIGMS, 2021

2018-2022           
Extracellular RNA, inflammation, and sepsis
International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS)
Frontiers in Anesthesia Research Award - FARA-2018
Role: Principal Investigator
View Grant

2019-2024
Targeting brain Inflammation and neurocognitive dysfunction in sepsis
NIH/NINDS, Grant Number: R01-NS110567
Role: Contact PI (MPI: W. Chao, J. Wu, L. Zou)
View Grant

2021-2026
Extracellular miRNAs, Innate Immunity, and Critical Illness
NIH/NIGMS, Grant Number: 1R35GM140822-01
Role: Principal Investigator
View Grant

2022-2025
Trauma-induced coagulopathy: Impact of aeromedical evacuation and novel intervention
Air Force, Grant Number: USAF/AFMC FA8650-22-2-6L02
Role: Contact PI

Chao's Lab