Heather Ferris
Associate Professor, Medicine- Endocrinology and Metabolism
MR 4, Room 6012
Charlottesville, VA 22908-1406
Bio & Overview
Obesity, hyperlipidemia, and type 2 diabetes are all metabolic disorders associated with cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Our lab is interested in understanding how changes in metabolism, either in the brain or in the periphery affecting the brain, influence the risk for dementia.
1. Brain cholesterol- Cholesterol is an important structural molecule, but it also serves as a regulatory molecule in the brain. It is transported between cells by ApoE particles. Mutations in ApoE are one of the main risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. We have demonstrated that cholesterol can regulate cellular behavior by changing the ability of cell surface enzymes to interact with their ligands. For example, increased cholesterol can increase amyloid plaque formation and inflammation. In our current studies, we seek to understand how various cholesterol species can differentially affect neuro-inflammation and the possibility of pharmacologically targeting ApoE cholesterol loading and secretion to reduce the adverse effects of excess cholesterol.
Academic Information
- Department
- Medicine- Endocrinology and Metabolism
- Academic Title
- Clinician and Investigator
Primary Education
- PhD, Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, 2004
- MD, Medicine, University of Virginia, 2006
- Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 2009
- Clinical Fellowship, Endocrinology & Diabetes, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 2012
Other Appointments
- Pathology
- Clinical Investigator in Residence, Neuroscience
Other Affiliations
- Pathology (Experimental)
- MSTP
- BIMS
- Brain Immunology and Glia Center
- Neuroscience Graduate Program
Research Interests
Research Disciplines
- Experimental Pathology
- Metabolism
- Molecular Pharmacology
- Molecular and Cellular Physiology
- Neuroimmunology
- Neuroscience
Research Opportunities
- Cellular and Molecular Metabolism
- Experimental Pathology
- Molecular Pharmacology
- Neuroimmunology
- Neuroscience
PhD Programs
- Experimental Pathology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Selected Publications
2025
Milstein JL, Kulas JA, Kamal A, Lo AB, Ferris HA. (2025) Regulation of glial ApoE secretion by the mevalonate pathway is independent of ApoE isoform. J Alzheimers Dis. 104(2):473-487. doi: 10.1177/13872877251317732.
2024
Reed JN, Hasan F, Karkar A, Banka D, Hinkle J, Shastri P, Srivastava N, Scherping SC, Newkirk SE, Ferris HA, Kundu BK, Kranz S, Civelek M, Keller SR. (2024) Combined effects of genetic background and diet on mouse metabolism and gene expression. iScience, 27(12):111323. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.111323
Petersen, E. N., Pavel, M. A., Hansen, S. S., Gudheti, M., Wang, H., Yuan, Z., . . . Hansen, S. B. (2024). Mechanical activation of TWIK-related potassium channel by nanoscopic movement and rapid second messenger signaling. ELIFE, 12. doi:10.7554/eLife.89465
Tersteeg, S., Bakhutashvili, V., Crook, M., & Ferris, H. A. (2024). Incidental Diagnosis of Williams Syndrome in an Adult With Recurrent Hypercalcemia.. JCEM case reports, 2(1), luad164. doi:10.1210/jcemcr/luad164
2023
Post, L. A., Kulas, J. A., Milstein, J. L., Sebastian, S. V. L., Hosseini-Barkooie, S., Stevenson, M. E., . . . Ferris, H. A. (2023). Inceptor as a regulator of brain insulin sensitivity. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 13(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-023-36248-4
Weigel, T. K., Guo, C. L., Guler, A. D., & Ferris, H. A. (2023). Altered circadian behavior and light sensing in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE, 15. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2023.1218193
2022
Ciancone, A. M., Hosseinibarkooie, S., Bai, D. L., Borne, A. L., Ferris, H. A., & Hsu, K. -L. (2022). Global profiling identifies a stress-responsive tyrosine site on EDC3 regulating biomolecular condensate formation. CELL CHEMICAL BIOLOGY, 29(12), 1709-+. doi:10.1016/j.chembiol.2022.11.008
Norambuena, A., Sun, X., Wallrabe, H., Cao, R., Sun, N., Pardo, E., . . . Bloom, G. S. (2022). SOD1 mediates lysosome-to-mitochondria communication and its dysregulation by amyloid-β oligomers. NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE, 169. doi:10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105737
2021
Coulibaly, A. P., Pezuk, P., Varghese, P., Gartman, W., Triebwasser, D., Kulas, J. A., . . . Provencio, J. J. (2021). Neutrophil Enzyme Myeloperoxidase Modulates Neuronal Response in a Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage by Venous Injury. STROKE, 52(10), 3374-3384. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.033513
Wang, H., Kulas, J. A., Wang, C., Holtzman, D. M., Ferris, H. A., & Hansen, S. B. (2021). Regulation of beta-amyloid production in neurons by cholesterol. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 118(33). doi:10.1073/pnas.2102191118
Milstein, J. L., & Ferris, H. A. (2021). The brain as an insulin-sensitive metabolic organ. MOLECULAR METABOLISM, 52. doi:10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101234
Huang, T., Hosseinibarkooie, S., Borne, A. L., Granade, M. E., Brulet, J. W., Harris, T. E., . . . Hsu, K. -L. (2021). Chemoproteomic profiling of kinases in live cells using electrophilic sulfonyl triazole probes. CHEMICAL SCIENCE, 12(9), 3295-3307. doi:10.1039/d0sc06623k
2020
Kulas, J. A., Weigel, T. K., & Ferris, H. A. (2020). Insulin resistance and impaired lipid metabolism as a potential link between diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. DRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, 81(2), 194-205. doi:10.1002/ddr.21643
2019
Weigel, T. K., Kulas, J. A., & Ferris, H. A. (2019). Oxidized cholesterol species as signaling molecules in the brain: diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.. Neuronal signaling, 3(4), NS20190068. doi:10.1042/ns20190068
Coulibaly, A., Pezuk, P., Varghese, P., Gartman, W., Triebwasser, D., Kulas, J., . . . Provencio, J. (2019). The neutrophil enzyme myeloperoxidase directly modulates neuronal response after subarachnoid hemorrhage, a sterile injury model. doi:10.1101/627638
2018
Cai, W., Xue, C., Sakaguchi, M., Konishi, M., Shirazian, A., Ferris, H. A., . . . Kahn, C. R. (2018). Insulin regulates astrocyte gliotransmission and modulates behavior. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, 128(7), 2914-2926. doi:10.1172/JCI99366
Kleinridders, A., Ferris, H. A., Reyzer, M. L., Rath, M., Soto, M., Manier, M. L., . . . Kahn, C. R. (2018). Regional differences in brain glucose metabolism determined by imaging mass spectrometry. MOLECULAR METABOLISM, 12, 113-121. doi:10.1016/j.molmet.2018.03.013
Kleinridders, A., Ferris, H. A., & Tovar, S. (2018). Crosstalk of Mitochondria With Brain Insulin and Leptin Signaling. FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY, 9. doi:10.3389/fendo.2018.00761
2017
Ferris, H. A., Isganaitis, E., & Brown, F. (2017). Time for an End to Juice in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. JAMA PEDIATRICS, 171(6), 509-510. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.0134
Ferris, H. A., Perry, R. J., Moreira, G. V., Shulman, G. I., Horton, J. D., & Kahn, C. R. (2017). Loss of astrocyte cholesterol synthesis disrupts neuronal function and alters whole-body metabolism. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 114(5), 1189-1194. doi:10.1073/pnas.1620506114
2016
Fukui, K., Ferris, H. A., & Kahn, C. R. (2016). Effect of cholesterol reduction on receptor signaling in neurons (vol 290, pg 26383, 2015). JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY, 291(30), 15910. doi:10.1074/jbc.A115.664367
Ferris, H. A., & Kahn, C. R. (2016). Unraveling the Paradox of Selective Insulin Resistance in the Liver: the Brain-Liver Connection. DIABETES, 65(6), 1481-1483. doi:10.2337/dbi16-0010
2015
Fukui, K., Ferris, H. A., & Kahn, C. R. (2015). Effect of Cholesterol Reduction on Receptor Signaling in Neurons. JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY, 290(44), 26383-26392. doi:10.1074/jbc.M115.664367
2014
Kleinridders, A., Ferris, H. A., Cai, W., & Kahn, C. R. (2014). Insulin Action in Brain Regulates Systemic Metabolism and Brain Function. DIABETES, 63(7), 2232-2243. doi:10.2337/db14-0568
2013
Suzuki, R., Ferris, H. A., Chee, M. J., Maratos-Flier, E., & Kahn, C. R. (2013). Reduction of the Cholesterol Sensor SCAP in the Brains of Mice Causes Impaired Synaptic Transmission and Altered Cognitive Function. PLOS BIOLOGY, 11(4). doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1001532
Ferris, H. A., Williams, G., Parker, J. A., & Garber, J. R. (2013). THERAPEUTIC IMPLICATIONS OF DIFFUSE HEPATIC UPTAKE FOLLOWING I-131 THERAPY FOR DIFFERENTIATED THYROID CANCER. ENDOCRINE PRACTICE, 19(2), 263-267. doi:10.4158/EP12077.OR
2012
Ferris, H. A., & Kahn, C. R. (2012). New mechanisms of glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance: make no bones about it. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, 122(11), 3854-3857. doi:10.1172/JCI66180
2010
Shupnik, M. A., Ferris, H., Walsh, H. E., Kowase, T., Rodriguez, A., & Andrade, J. (2010). Gonadotropin regulation by GnRH pulses and steroids. ENDOCRINE JOURNAL, 57, S205. Retrieved from https://www.webofscience.com/