About

Ji Lei, MD, MS, MBA, is a Research Associate Professor of Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Medicine and a Master of Surgery from West China University of Medical Sciences in Chengdu, China, and an MBA in Strategy & Finance from York University in Toronto, Canada. His research focuses on transplantation and regenerative medicine, with significant contributions to the development of bioengineered transplant sites, islet cell transplantation, and immune protection strategies in transplantation. He has been involved in pioneering work on bioengineered omental transplant sites that promote islet and cell survival in non-human primates, as well as clinical trials with stem cell-derived insulin-producing cells. His work has garnered attention for advancing the understanding and application of transplantation techniques to improve outcomes in diabetes and organ rejection, contributing to the field through both experimental and clinical research.

Research topics

• Biology
• Medicine
• Immunology
• Cell biology
• Cancer research

Selected publications

• 2′-Fucosyllactose and its metabolites propionate/butyrate suppress inflammation through a shared TLR4/p38 MAPK-dependent pathway in vitro and in vivo

  Current Research in Food Science · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen access

  2’-Fucosyllactose (2’-FL), the most abundant human milk oligosaccharide (HMO), exhibits potent anti-inflammatory properties, yet the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study employed an integrated approach combining in vitro fermentation systems, Caco-2 cell assays, in vivo murine colitis models, and molecular docking simulations to elucidate the dual mechanisms of 2’-FL action. In vitro fermentation revealed that 2’-FL selectively enhanced propionate and butyrate production while enriching Bacteroides acidifaciens and Allobaculum stercoricanis , key short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing taxa. In enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)-infected Caco-2 cells, 2’-FL suppressed TLR4/p38 MAPK signaling and inflammation, an effect mirrored by propionate and butyrate. Similarly, in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse colitis model, 2’-FL inhibited this signaling pathway, alleviated inflammation, and, in parallel, specifically elevated levels of propionate and butyrate. Molecular docking analyses also indicated that 2’-FL and its metabolites, propionate and butyrate, exhibit binding to the TLR4–MD2 complex with specific affinity. These results support a coordinated mechanism whereby 2’-FL alleviates intestinal inflammation through putative TLR4 antagonism and the microbiota-derived SCFAs, both of which converge to modulate the TLR4/p38 MAPK-dependent signaling axis. Our work provides a mechanistic foundation for 2’-FL as a precision prebiotic targeting gut inflammation via host-microbe crosstalk. • 2’-Fucosyllactose specifically upregulates the levels of propionate and butyrate. • 2’-Fucosyllactose, propionate, and butyrate modulate Toll-like receptor 4 activity. • 2’-Fucosyllactose, propionate, and butyrate share the p38 signaling pathway.

  PublisherDOI

• AI-enabled proactive health education: perceptions of public health students - a qualitative study

  BMC Medical Education · 2026-04-24

  articleOpen access

  The aging of global populations and the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases have underscored the critical importance of Proactive Health strategies. Concurrently, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the landscape of medical education. Despite these parallel developments, the perspectives of students in public health and preventive medicine regarding AI-enabled Proactive Health education remain largely unexplored, representing a significant gap in the literature. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 22 students enrolled in public health and preventive medicine programs. Participants were selected via purposive sampling, and the sample size was determined based on the principle of information saturation. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the interview data. Analysis of the data revealed three primary themes: ambiguous conceptual understanding of Proactive Health among students, a stance of cautious optimism toward the integration of AI in Proactive Health education, a perceived misalignment between current medical education curricula and the competencies required for future practice. Proactive Health represents a vital direction for the evolution of public health. However, its effective integration into educational frameworks is currently impeded by conceptual vagueness and disciplinary ambiguities. AI holds substantial potential to empower and innovate Proactive Health education. There is an urgent need for curricular reform to equip future public health practitioners with the necessary core competencies. This study offers practical insights to inform the ongoing reform of education in public health and preventive medicine.

  PublisherDOI

• Whole-genome sequence analysis of SFTS bunyavirus in Huzhou, China

  PLoS ONE · 2025-02-11 · 3 citations

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), a tick-borne emerging infectious disease caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV), is a growing public health threat due to its high mortality rate. To understand the genomic characteristics of SFTSV samples isolated in Huzhou, China, the full-length genomes of Huzhou SFTSV isolates obtained between February 1, 2019 and December 30, 2023 were sequenced, and the gene loci, evolution, and sequence identity of the genome sequences were analyzed using MEGA. The complete genome sequences of seven SFTSV samples were obtained successfully. The full-length genome of each isolate was 11 490 bp in length, composed of a large (L) segment of 6368 bp, medium (M) segment of 3378 bp, and small (S) segment of 1744 bp. The SFTSV samples isolated in Huzhou belonged to multiple genotypes, but were mainly of type D. Each subtype showed nucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence identities of more than 93.67% and 97.18%, respectively, with the syngeneic human host reference strain and more than 93.67% and 97.76%, respectively, with the syngeneic tick-derived host reference strain. Nucleotide sequence analysis of SFTSV isolates from Huzhou showed mutations in genes on all three segments, with those on the M segment showing the highest mutation rate. The nucleotide variations were mainly base transversions. Further studies of the distribution of SFTSV genotypes, sites of nucleotide mutations, and amino acid variations are required.

  PublisherDOI

• Targeting Porcine Liver Endothelium with Lipid Nanoparticles to Improve Xenograft Survival

  American Journal of Transplantation · 2025-08-01

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Programmed death-ligand 1 on ex vivo-expanded toll-like-receptor-Bregs prevents allograft rejection by Breg viability promotion, CD4+ T effector cell suppression, and regulatory T cell induction

  American Journal of Transplantation · 2025-09-01 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Energy storage capacity configuration and optimisation of electric/thermal integrated energy systems in the context of electric vehicle clusters

  International Journal of Vehicle Information and Communication Systems · 2025-01-01

  articleSenior author

  In order to improve the energy efficiency and economy of the system, a double layer optimisation model was proposed to optimise the allocation of electric/thermal energy storage capacity in a dual optimisation integrated energy system. The innovation of the research lies in the dual optimisation of energy system operation strategies, combined with energy scheduling and energy storage capacity decision making. The experiment showed the total operating cost of the electric energy storage system and the disorderly charging Plan B for electric vehicles is 2210 yuan, and the rate of wind and light abandonment was reduced by 5.72%. The total operating cost of Plan C for the electric energy storage system, electric vehicle disorderly charging and thermal storage system is 2021 yuan. The total operating cost of Plan D, which considers the impact of Vehicle-to-Grid as a power storage system on energy configuration and scheduling, is the lowest at 1700 yuan. The average charging cost and daily average investment cost of the energy storage system were both reduced compared to Plan C. Electric vehicle V2G not only reduces its own electrical load, but also plays a positive role in system operation and vehicle owner charging economy.

  PublisherDOI

• A hypoxia-responsive tRNA-derived small RNA confers renal protection through RNA autophagy

  Science · 2025-07-17 · 17 citations

  articleOpen access

  Transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs or tDRs) perform a range of cellular functions. Here, we showed that tRNA-Asp-GTC-3'tDR, a hypoxia-induced tDR derived from the 3' end of tRNA-Asp-GTC, activated autophagic flux in kidney cells and its silencing blocked autophagic flux. Functional gain-/loss-of-function studies in murine kidney disease models demonstrated a substantial renoprotective function of tRNA-Asp-GTC-3'tDR. Mechanistically, tRNA-Asp-GTC-3'tDR assembled stable G-quadruplex structures and sequestered pseudouridine synthase 7 (PUS7), preventing catalytic pseudouridylation of histone mRNAs. The resulting pseudouridylation deficiency directed histone mRNAs to the autophagosome-lysosome pathway, triggering RNA autophagy. This tDR-induced RNA autophagy pathway was activated during murine and human kidney diseases, suggesting clinical relevance. Thus, tRNA-Asp-GTC-3'tDR plays a role in regulating RNA autophagy, which helps to maintain homeostasis in kidney cells and protects against kidney injury.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Clinical Presentation and Management of Ethoxy-Modified Trisiloxane Surfactant Poisoning

  Cureus · 2025-10-21

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Suicidal attempts involving herbicide ingestion are extremely rare in Macao. We report the case of a 13-year-old Chinese female student with a history of mental disorder who presented to the emergency department (ED) of Conde S. Januário Hospital (CHCSJ) after intentionally ingesting 30-40 mL of a herbicide containing ethoxy-modified trisiloxane, a compound with limited human toxicity data that warrants clinical attention. On admission, she was asymptomatic and hemodynamically stable, with unremarkable physical examination and laboratory findings. She was admitted for observation. During her stay, she reported only mild abdominal discomfort, which was managed symptomatically. After 20 hours of observation, she remained stable and was discharged with outpatient psychiatric follow-up arranged. This case underscores that even with potentially toxic herbicides, prompt medical assessment and supportive care can lead to a positive outcome, while highlighting the critical need for psychiatric intervention in cases of intentional self-harm.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A new wave of resurgence for GII.4 Sydney in Huzhou, particularly GII.4 Sydney[P16] , between 2019 and 2023

  2024-12-18

  preprintOpen accessSenior author

  Norovirus (NoV) infection is a major pathogen causing acute gastroenteritis (AGE) across all age groups worldwide. Here, we report on the prevalence and genetic characteristics of NoVs in patients with AGE at diarrhea clinics in Huzhou from January 2019 to October 2023. A total of 2846 specimens were collected and tested for NoV by real-time RT-PCR. Approximately 460 specimens (16.16%) were identified as Nov positive. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and capsid gene sequences of 216 viral strains were amplified and sequenced, and genotyping was performed using the RIVM online typing tool. During this period, at least 20 NoV genotypes were observed, with GII.4 Sydney being the most predominant. Phylogenetic analysis of selected strains revealed that all GII.4 Sydney[P16] strains clustered together and were closely related to strains from Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing and the United States, with nucleotide homologies ranging from 96.9% to 99.7%. Our study indicates that GII.4 Sydney is undergoing a new wave of resurgence, and becoming the main epidemic strain again, particularly when GII.4 Sydney[P16] is causing peaks in NoV positivity rates in January 2022 and October 2023. These results highlight the need for continuous long-term monitoring of GII.4 Sydney NoV variants.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The crosstalk between Toll and AMPK signaling pathways mediates growth inhibition of Eriocheir sinensis under deltamethrin stress

  Aquatic Toxicology · 2024-01-08 · 4 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Yanling Wang

  Institute of Zoology

  162 shared

• Yangyu Zhao

  Peking University

  150 shared

• Jie Qiao

  150 shared

• Yongqing Wang

  Peking University

  150 shared

• Chun Peng

  Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine

  125 shared

• Guodong Fu

  Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College

  85 shared

• Lubna Nadeem

  Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute

  81 shared

• Gang Ye

  South China University of Technology

  81 shared

Labs

• Ji Lei LabPI

Education

• MBA, Business School

  York University

  2002

• Master of Sciences , Surgery

  West China Medical Center of Sichuan University

  1997

• Resident, Surgery

  West China Hospital of Sichuan University

  1997

• MD, Medical School

  West China University of Medical Sciences

  1991