• Xinjiang Medical University, China, BS, Examine Medicine, 2009
• Xinjiang Medical University, China, MS, Molecular Biology, 2014
• Xinjiang Medical University, China, PhD, Medicine, 2017

I am a Research Associate who has always had a strong interest in basic and translational research. My scientific background in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Immunology has centered on dissecting how protein palmitoylation controls immune signaling and effector responses. I have established expertise in studying the enzymatic regulators of this modification, including palmitoyl acyltransferases (DHHC family) and acyl-protein thioesterases (APT1/2), and have demonstrated their critical roles in T cell activation and function. I am now extending this expertise to investigate how dysregulated palmitoylation contributes to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Specifically, my research focuses on the role of APT2-mediated de-palmitoylation in regulating FKBP11 and other key fibroblast effectors that drive myofibroblast activation and extracellular matrix deposition. My long-term goal is to define the palmitoylation-dependent signaling pathways that underlie fibrotic remodeling and to leverage these insights for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to combat IPF.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), Aging and fibrosis, Interstitial lung disease (ILD),Protein S-acylation / S-palmitoylation

1. Shayahati B, McDowell-Sanchez A, Akimzhanov A, Tsoyi K. ZDHHC21 regulates profibrotic responses in activated lung fibroblasts and pulmonary fibrosis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. Accepted 2026 May.
2. Shayahati B, McDowell-Sanchez A, Rose J, Tsoyi K. Macropinocytosis inhibition attenuates fibroblast activation and bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis. J Invest Dermatol. 2026 Aug 18. doi:10.1016/j.jid.2026.07.031. PMID:42612787.
3. Bieerkehazhi S, Tewari R, Boehning D, Akimzhanov AM. Regulation of T cell receptor signaling by protein acyltransferase DHHC21. Mol Biol Rep. 2020;47(8):6471-6478. doi:10.1007/s11033-020-05691-1. PMID:32789573.
4. Bieerkehazhi S, Fan Y, Savannah W, Tewari R, Darren B, Akimzhanov AM. Calcium-dependent protein acyltransferase DHHC21 controls the activation of CD4+ T cells. J Cell Sci. 2021;135(5):jcs258186.
5. Tewari R, Bieerkehazhi S, Fan Y, Akimzhanov AM. T cell receptor-dependent S-acylation of ZAP-70 controls activation of T cells. J Biol Chem. 2021;296:100311. doi:10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100311. PMID:33482200.
6. Bieerkehazhi S, Barayan D, Khalaf F, de Brito Monteiro L, Aijaz A, Volk C, Matveev A, Saldanha S, Faour S, Jeschke MG. Burns induce alterations in the acyl proteome of mice and humans. Shock. 2023 Jan 23. doi:10.1097/SHK.0000000000002355.
7. Bieerkehazhi S, Abdullahi A, Khalaf F, Barayan D, de Brito Monteiro L, Samadi O, Graham, Jeschke MG. β-Adrenergic blockade attenuates adverse adipose tissue responses after burn. J Mol Med (Berl). 2024 Aug 15. doi:10.1007/s00109-024-02478-w.
8. de Brito Monteiro L, Bieerkehazhi S, Aijaz A, Knuth CM, Rix G, Lee JH, Sung HK, Farahat M, Jeschke. Adipocyte and SVF crosstalk drives immunometabolic alterations in burn-induced hypermetabolism. Shock. 2025 Aug 1;64(2):226-235. doi: