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Xingshen Sun, PhD

Contact Information

Office: 1-675F BSB 
Phone: 335-6759
Faculty Profile 

Brief description of current research:

My research efforts have primarily centered around cystic fibrosis (CF), encompassing various aspects such as CF pathophysiology, the creation of novel CF animal models, and the advancement of CF gene therapy methods. Specifically, I have dedicated significant attention to exploring the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) and pancreatitis-associated diabetes. Currently, my projects are focused on studying the impact of CFTR modulators on the regeneration of the exocrine pancreas and diabetes in CF during early life.

3 most influential diabetes/obesity/metabolism publications:

  • Sun, X., Yi, Y., Xie, W., Liang, B., Winter, M.C., He, N., Liu, X., Luo, M., Yang, Y., Ode, K.L., Uc, A., Norris, A.W., and Engelhardt, J.F.  CFTR Influences Beta Cell Function and Insulin Secretion Through Non-Cell Autonomous Exocrine-Derived Factors. Endocrinology. 158:3325-3338 (2017).
  • X. Sun, Y. Yi, B. Liang, Y. Yang, N. He, K. L. Ode, A. Uc, K. Wang, K. N. Gibson-Corley, J. F. Engelhardt, and Andrew W. Norris.  Incretin dysfunction and hyperglycemia in cystic fibrosis: role of acyl-ghrelin. Journal Of Cystic Fibrosis, 18, 557–565 (2019).
  • Xingshen Sun, Yaling Yi, Ziying Yan, Bradley H. Rosen, Bo Liang, Michael C. Winter, T. Idil Apak Evans, Pavana Rotti, Yu Yang, Jaimie S. Gray, Soo Yeun Park, Weihong Zhou, Yulong Zhang, Shashanna R. Moll, Lisa Woody, Dao Tran, Licong Jiang, Annelotte M. Vonk, Jeffrey M. Beekman, Paul Negulescu, Fred Van Goor, Dennis Fiorino, Katherine N. Gibson-Corley, and John F. Engelhardt. In utero and postnatal VX-770 administration rescues multiorgan disease in a ferret model of cystic fibrosis. Science Translational Medicine. 11, eaau7531 (2019).
  •  Y. Yi*, X. Sun*, B. Liang, N. He, K. N. Gibson-Corley, A. W. Norris, J. F. Engelhardt, A. Uc. Acute pancreatitis-induced islet dysfunction in ferrets. Pancreatology 21, 839–847 (2021). (*Co-first author).

Quote:

The understanding of Diabetes of the exocrine pancreas (DEP) remains limited, and substantial advancements are required in recognizing, diagnosing, and treating this disorder, as well as enhancing our knowledge of the underlying pathological mechanisms