Professor CHOW, Billy Kwok Chong 鄒國昌
Professor, Chair of Endocrinology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, HKU
B.Sc. Hon. (First Class), Physiology, University of British Columbia. Ph.D. Biochemistry, University of British Columbia
Teaching Areas
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Research Interests
- Bioactive Peptides and G Protein-coupled Receptors
- Neuroendocrinology of Secretin
- Drug discovery and development
- Nutritional supplement
Current Research
- Role of Secretin and its receptor in thirst regulatory neural circuits
- Co-evolution of function and structure of PACAP with the hypothalamo-pituitary axis from invertebrates to vertebrates.
- Discovery of new drug candidates for allergy, hypertension and obesity
- Unveiling the detoxification and antioxidant potential of Hong Kong pearl oyster powder
Research Team
Technician:
- Mr.Oscar Chow
Post-doc:
- Dr. Shaik Abdullah Nawabjan
PhD students:
- Mr. Lin Minghui Leo
- Mr. Tao Zhengyi
- Ms. Lin Bilian
- Ms. Cheuk Sim Kuen
- Mr. Evan Yuhan Chen
Research Assistants:
- Ms. Muthu Iswarya Gandhi Sethuraman
- Mr. Chan Lik Hang
Fellowships
- Croucher Senior Research Fellow
- University of Kyoto
- University of British Columbia
Patents
- IP00835 ((US): Purmophamine as a small compound positive allosteric modulator of secretin receptor for the treatment of hypertension.
- IP01041(US, PRC and HK) MRGPRX2 Antagonist for the Treatment of Pseudo Allergic Reactions
- Hong Kong Patent HK30085211: Detoxification drug and use of pearl powder in the preparation of detoxification drug
- Hong Kong Patent HK30103200: Improving Intestinal Health under Obesity by Optimizing Gut Microbiota: Nano Pearl (Pinctada imbricata) Powder
- Hong Kong Patent PSR24004HK(C): Use of pearl oyster shell powder in the preparation of antioxidants.
Selected Publications
Google scholar: Billy KC Chow - Google Scholar
2026 | |
Impact factor: 6.8; SJR:1.28 | |
SA Nawabjan, GSM Iswarya, X Yu, K Balu, WT Yan, BKC Chow. Comprehensive Multiscale Characterization, in vivo Antioxidant Activity, and Subacute Toxicity Assessment of Pearl Powder. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 122259 | |
Impact factor: 7; SJR:1.7 | |
WC Wu, MIG Sethuraman, TK Tong, HL Ng, WYD Au, LH Lam, W Li, | |
Impact factor: 3.8; SJR:1.17 | |
KL Wong, LH Cheng, CL Chung, PL Ng, SA Nawabjan, MIG Sethuraman, KK Luk , WT Tsoi , BKC Chow, SO Leung. SM03, a non-depleting anti-CD22 antibody, modulates B cell activation and immune crosstalk to attenuate autoimmunity. Journal of Translational Autoimmunity.100380 | |
Impact factor: 4; SJR:1.36 | |
LH Lam, W Li, KC Chow, WYD Au, WC Wu, MIG Sethuraman, SA Nawabjan, WY Choi, BKC Chow, SO Leung, CW Hui. SM17, an anti-interleukin-17 receptor B antibody, ameliorates pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis via Th2/Th17 dual modulation. ERJ Open Research. 12 (4), 01067-2025 | |
Impact factor: 7.5; SJR: 3.79; Citation:1 | |
F Zhang, Z Tao, SA Nawabjan, M Xiang, X Deng, Y Li, L Zhang, BKC Chow*. Purmorphamine Exerts Anti-Obesity Effects by Enhancing Secretin-Activated Brown Fat Thermogenesis. Cell Reports. 44 (12) | |
Impact factor: 5.4; SJR: 1.38; Citation: 5 | |
BKC Chow, YG Choi, TK Wong, SA Nawabjan, K Li, M Kumar. 2025. Therapeutic effect of an MRGPRX2/MRGPRB2 antagonist on LL-37-induced rosacea-like inflammation in mice. Inflammation Research. 74 (1), 174 | |
Impact factor: 7.2; SJR: 2.65; Citation: 11 | |
Y Li, L Xue, F Wang, Y Wang, Y Sun, Z Niu, S Liu, Y Yan, S Shen, K Zhang, C Nie, M Fan, M Ma, Y Wu, B Yang, J Du, B Zhou, D Zhang, BKC Chow, L Zhang, H Qian, L Chen, H Ying, L Wang.2025.Lactylation of mTOR enhances autophagy in skeletal muscle during exercise. Cell Chemical Biology. 32 (11), 1367-1380. e5 | |
Impact factor: 3.9; SJR: 0.78; Citation: 2 | |
SA Nawabjan, K Singh, MI GS, RKH Au-Yeung, F Zhang, L Zhang, H El-Nezami, BKC Chow. 2025.Preclinical Toxicity Evaluation of the Novel Anti-Hypertensive Compound KSD179019. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 196 (115195) | |
Impact factor:15.5; Citations: 10 | |
Y Wu, J Guo, Z Chen, F Zhang, BKC Chow, Z Chen, KWK Yeung, W Qiao. 2025. Deciphering the skeletal interoceptive circuitry to control bone homeostasis. BMEMat, e12138 | |
2024 | |
Impact factor: 3.9; SJR: 0.78; Citation:4 | |
SA Nawabjan, K Singh, MI GS, RKH Au-Yeung, F Zhang, L Zhang, H El-Nezami, BKC Chow 2024.Preclinical Toxicity Evaluation of the Novel Anti-Hypertensive Compound KSD179019.Food and Chemical Toxicology. 196 (115195) | |
Impact factor: 9.1; SJR: 1.25;Citation: 4 | |
SA Nawabjan, F Zhang, MI GS, Y Xinyue, YW Tat, K Balu, BKC Chow. 2024. Preparation, Characterization of Pearl Powder and its In Vivo Detoxification Potential for Heavy Metals in Mice. Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, 100524 | |
Impact factor: 8.4; SJR: 1.686 Citation:39 | |
M Kumar, YG Choi, T Wong, PH Li, BKC Chow.2024Beyond the classic players: Mas‐related G protein‐coupled receptor member X2 role in pruritus and skin diseases. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology | |
Impact factor: 3.8; SJR: 1.13; Citation:3 | |
L Su, G Li, BKC Chow, JCR Cardoso. 2024. Neuropeptides and receptors in the cephalochordate: a crucial model for understanding the origin and evolution of vertebrate neuropeptide systems. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. 594 (112324) | |
Impact factor: 6.3; SJR: 1.29;Citation: 7 | |
K Lao, HWF Mak, V Chiang, M Kumar, BKC Chow, PH Li. 2024. Mas‐Related G‐Protein Coupled Receptor‐X2 and Chemokine (C–C Motif) Ligand 2 Correlate With Disease Activity Among Treatment‐Naïve Chinese Patients With Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria. Clinical & Experimental Allergy. | |
Impact factor: 5.7; SJR: 1.868; Citation: 24 | |
TK Wong, YG Choi, PH Li, BKC Chow, M Kumar. 2024. MRGPRX2 antagonist GE1111 attenuated DNFB-induced atopic dermatitis in mice by reducing inflammatory cytokines and restoring skin integrity. Frontiers in Immunology. 15 (1406438) | |
Impact factor: 7.5; SJR: 1.493; Citation: 7 | |
K Duraisamy, M Kumar, A Nawabjan, EKK Lo, M Lin, B Lefranc, E Bonnafé, M Treilhou, H El-Nezami, J Leprince, BKC Chow.2024. MRGPRB2/X2 and the analogous effects of its agonist and antagonist in DSS-induced colitis in mice. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 174(116471) | |
Impact factor: 12.4; SJR: 3.073; Citation: 7 | |
LH Lam, W Li, WC Wu, KC Chow, WYD Au, G Xu, G Wang, X Qian, KM Ng, SA Nawabjan, MIG Sethuraman, WY Choi, BKC Chow, SO Leung, CW Hui.2024. SM17, a new IL-17RB-targeting antibody, ameliorates disease progression in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis. Allergy. 79 (6), 1625-1628. | |
Impact factor: 17.694; Citation:22; SJR: 4.846 | |
FW Zhang, W Qiao, J Wei, ZY Tao, MH Lin, KMC Ng, L Zhang, KWK Yeung, BKC Chow Secretin-Dependent Signals in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus Regulate Energy Metabolism and Bone Homeostasis. Nature Communications. 15 (1) 1030. | |
2023 | |
Impact factor: 5.7; SJR: 1.308 Citation:2 | |
F Zhang, Z Tao, C Chen, BKC Chow.2023. Effects of secretin gene knockout on the diversity, composition, and function of gut microbiota in adult male mice. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 13:13:1257857 | |
Impact factor: 18.4; Citation:68; SJR: 9.541 | |
Y Su, Y Luo, P Zhang, H Lin, W Pu, H Zhang, H Wang, Y Hao, Y Xiao, X Zhang, X Wei, S Nie, K Zhang, Q Fu, H Chen, N Huang, Y Ren, M Wu, BKC Chow, X Chen, W Jin, F Wang, L Zhao, F Rao.2023. Glucose-induced CRL4COP1-p53 axis amplifies glycometabolism to drive tumorigenesis. Molecular Cell. 83(P2316-2331) | |
Impact factor: 14.29; Citations: 49; SJR: 3.81 | |
M Kumar, K Duraisamy, RR Annapureddy, CB Chan, BKC Chow.2023.Novel small molecule MRGPRX2 antagonists inhibit a murine model of allergic reaction. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.151(1110-1122) | |
Impact factor: 14.957; Citations: 23; SJR: 4.586 | |
Y Liu, J Wei, Z Luo, J Cui, Y Luo, SOK Mak, K So, L Zhang, BKC Chow.2023. A gut-brain axis mediates sodium appetite via gastrointestinal peptide regulation on medulla - hypothalamic circuits. Science Advances. 9(7) | |
Impact factor: 23.178; Citations: 24; SJR: 2.842 | |
J Wei, Q Han, Z Luo, L Liu, J Cui, J Tan, BKC Chow, KF So, L Zhang. 2023. Amygdala neural ensemble mediates mouse social investigation behaviors. National Science Review. 10 (nwac179) | |
Impact factor: 14.978; Citations: 12; SJR: 4.45 | |
P Berg, T Jensen, JF Andersen, MV Sorensen, T Wang, H Malte, BKC Chow, J Leipziger. 2023. Loss of the secretin receptor impairs renal bicarbonate excretion and aggravates metabolic alkalosis during acute base-loading. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 10 (1681) | |
2022 | |
Impact factor: 7.088; SJR: 1.054 Citation:7 | |
K Singh, SA Nawabjan, L Zhang, H El-Nezami, RR Annapureddy, BKC Chow. 2022. Discovery of small-molecule modulators of the secretin receptor: Purmorphamine as novel anti-hypertensive agent. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 242, 114642. | |
Impact factor: 10.834; Citation: 18 SJR: 2.905 F Zhang, SOK Mak, Y Liu, Y Ke, F Rao, WH Yung, L Zhang, BKC Chow. 2022. Secretin receptor deletion in the subfornical organ attenuates the activation of excitatory neurons under dehydration. Current Biology. 32(22), 4832-4841 | |
Impact factor: 9.1; Citation: 11 SJR: 3.18 L Xue, J Sun, J Liu, C Hu, D Wu, C Nie, K Zhang, Y Wang, X Li, Y Lu, L Zhang, D Zhang, M Fan, H Zian, H Jiang, J Wong, Y Li, H Ying, BKC Chow, L Wang, Y Li. 2022. Maternal secretin ameliorates obesity by promoting white adipose tissue browning in offspring. EMBO reports. 23: e54132. | |
Impact factor: 6.055; Citation: 8; SJR: 1.375 J On, L Su, H Shen, A Arokiaraj, J Cardoso, G Li, BKC Chow. 2022. PACAP/GCGa Is an Important Modulator of the Amphioxus CNS-Hatschek’s Pit Axis, the Homolog of the Vertebrate Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis in the Basal Chordates. Frontiers in endocrinology. 13, 850040. | |
Impact factor: 6.317; Citation: 9 ; SJR: 1.011 Y Sun, Z Wang, C Nie, L Xue, Y Wang, J Liu, M Fan, D Zhang, R He, X Zhang, H Qian, BKC Chow, Y Li, L Wang. 2022. Hydroxysafflor yellow A triggered a fast-to-slow muscle fiber-type conversion via regulating FoxO1 in myocytes. Food & Function.13(11), 6317-6328 | |
Impact factor: 14.29; Citations: 33; SJR: 3.81 | |
K Duraisamy, K Singh, M Kumar, B Lefranc, E Bonnafé, M Treilhou, J Leprince, BKC Chow. 2022. P17 induces chemotaxis and differentiation of monocytes via MRGPRX2-mediated mast cell-line activation. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 149(1):275-291. | |
2021 | |
Impact factor: 17.694; Citations: 39; SJR: 4.846 | |
H Lin, Y Yan, Y Luo, WY So, X Wei, X Zhang, X Yang, J Zhang, Y Su, X Yang, B Zhang, K Zhang, N Jiang, BKC Chow, W Han, F Wang, F Rao. 2021. IP6-assisted CSN-COP1 competition regulates a CRL4-ETV5 proteolytic checkpoint to safeguard glucose-induced insulin secretion. Nature Communications. 12(1): 2461. | |
Impact factor: 5.546; Citations: 5 ; SJR: 1.521 | |
R Ke, SIS Lok, K Singh, BKC Chow, LTO Lee. 2021.GIP receptor suppresses PAC1receptor-mediated neuronal differentiation via formation of a receptor heterocomplex. Journal of Neurochemistry. 157 (6), 1850-1860. | |
Impact factor: 7.666; Citations: 120; SJR: 1.452 | |
M Kumar, K Duraisamy, BKC Chow. 2021. Unlocking the Non-IgE-Mediated Pseudo-Allergic Reaction Puzzle with Mas-Related G-Protein Coupled Receptor Member X2 (MRGPRX2). Cells, 10, 1033. | |
Impact factor: 6.151; Citations: 11 ; SJR: 2.592 | |
R Ke, SIS Lok, K Singh, BKC Chow, H Janovjak, LTO. Lee. 2021. Formation of Kiss1R/GPER Heterocomplexes Negatively Regulates Kiss1R-mediated Signalling through Limiting Receptor Cell Surface Expression. Journal of Molecular Biology 433(7): 166843. | |
Impact factor: 6.147; Citation:1; SJR: 1.661 | |
L Ciranna, D Reglodi, BKC Chow, D Vaudry. 2021. Novel Therapeutic Potential for Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP), Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) and Related Peptides in Cognition Deficits. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience. 15. | |
2020 | |
Impact factor 9.133; Citation: 128; SJR: 5.282 Y Heshiki, R Vazquez-Uribe, J Li, Y Ni, S Quainoo, L Imamovic, J Li M Sørensen, BKC Chow, G J Weiss, A Xu, MOA Sommer, G Panagiotou. 2020. Predictable modulation of cancer treatment outcomes by the gut microbiota. Microbiome. 8(1), 1-14. | |
Impact factor: 3.501; Citations: 16; SJR: 1.629 | |
W Nong, ZYH Chau, X Jiang, J Qin, KY Ma, KM Chan, TF Chan, BKC Chow, HS Kwan, CKC Wong, JW Qiu, JHL Hui, KH Chu. 2020. A crustacean annotated transcriptome (CAT) database. BMC Genomics 21, (1), 1-5 | |
Impact factor: 4.927 Citations: 16 SJR: 0.705 | |
M Kumar, K Singh, K Duraisamy, A Allam, J Ajarem, BKC Chow.2020.Protective effect of genistein against compound 48/80 induced anaphylactoid shock via inhibiting MAS related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2). Molecules 25 (5), 1028 | |
2019 | |
Impact factor: 9.133; Citation: 76; SJR: 5.282 (top 0.8% out of 34171) | |
T Zheng, J Li, Y Ni, K Kang, MA Misiakou, L Imamovic, BKC Chow, AA Rode, P Bytzer, M Sommer, G Panagiotou. 2019. Mining, analyzing, and integrating viral signals from metagenomic data. Microbiome. 7(1): 21. | |
Impact factor:4.996; Citations: 9; SJR: 1.005 AM ZAW, R Sekar, SOK Mak, HKW Law, BKC Chow. 2019. Loss of secretin results in systemic and pulmonary hypertension with cardiopulmonary pathologies in mice. Scientific Reports, 9 (1), 1-13 | |
Impact factor: 3.24; Citation: 5; SJR: 0.99 J Bai, K Duraisamy, SOK Mak, A Allam, J Ajarem, Z Li, BKC Chow. 2019. Role of SCTR/AT1aR heteromer in mediating ANGII-induced aldosterone secretion. PLoS ONE 14 (9) e0222005 | |
Impact factor: 6.481; Citation: 63; SJR: 3.169 | |
X Yang, D Brobst, WS Chan, MCL Tse, O Herlea-Pana, P Ahuja, X Bi, AM Zaw, ZSW Kwong, WH Jia, ZG Zhang, N Zhang, SKH Chow, WH Cheung, JCY Louie, TM Griffin, W Nong, JHL Hui, GH Du, HL Noh, S Sawngnipanthkul, BKC Chow, JK Kim, CW Lee, CB Chan. 2019. Muscle-generated BDNF is a sexually dimorphic myokine that controls metabolic flexibility, Science Signaling, 12(594), eaau1468 | |
Impact factor: 3.750; Citation: 9; SJR: 0.818 JSW On, AWR Arokiaraj, BKC Chow. 2019. Molecular evolution of CRH and CRHR subfamily before the evolutionary origin of vertebrate. Peptides. 9781 (19): 30045-2. | |
Impact factor: 2.454; Citation: 13; SJR: 0.974 (top 13.3% out of 34171) | |
L Wang, L Zhang, BKC Chow. 2019. Secretin Prevents Apoptosis in the Developing Cerebellum Through Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. Journal of Molecular Neuroscience 1-10. | |
Impact factor: 5.593; Citation:10; SJR: 2.438 (top 2.8% out of 34171) | |
SOK Mak, L Zhang, BKC Chow. 2019. In vivo actions of SCTR/AT1aR heteromer in controlling Vp expression and release viacFos/cAMP/CREB pathway in magnocellular neurons of PVN. FASEB Journal. 33 (4): 5389-5398.
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Awards and Honors
2023 Distinguish Presentation Award VPAC Osaka
2022 Healthy Longevity Catalyst Award 2022 in the Healthy Longevity Global Grant Challenge Competition organized by the U.S. National Academy of Medicine (https://healthylongevitychallenge.org).
2022 Distinguished Presentation Award, by VPAC ISBAP 2022
2017 Alumni Builder Award, University of British Columbia
2010 Research Output Prize, The University of Hong Kong.
2007 Akira Arimura Young Investigator Award: By the international VIP/PACAP society. In memory of Prof. Arimura who founded this research area,
2005 Grace Pickford Medal:By the International Federation of Comparative Endocrine Societies (IFCE). This is the most prestigious award for comparative endocrinologists, given out once every 4 years.
2005 Outstanding Researcher Award,by the University of Hong Kong.
2004 Croucher Senior Research Fellow by Croucher Foundation.