Changli.png

Changli Zhang, PhD
(she/her)
Assistant Scientist
https://www.linkedin.com/in/changli-zhang-546021210

Hometown:
Shandong, China 

Education
2014-2018 Ph.D, The University of Hong Kong
2010-2013 Master, Sun Yat-Sen University 

Research 
My research focuses on exploring the risk factors contributing to the onset and progression of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration by investigating the molecular mechanisms involved in the degeneration process and identify potential therapeutic targets for IVD degeneration. My recent findings demonstrated that phosphatase PHLPP1 is an important player in intervertebral disc degeneration. Its expression was positively correlated with IVD degeneration in human and systematic depletion of PHLPP1 promoted healing in a mouse model of surgically induced IVD degeneration. PHLPP! depletion mitigated degenerative alterations by suppressing inflammatory responses and matrix degradation in naturally aged mouse IVDs. In addition, we found that a small molecular PHLPP inhibitor NSC45586 induced a healthy nucleus pulposus phenotype via activation of FOXO1 and AKT while deactivating ERK1/2 signaling in human degenerated nucleus pulposus cells, making it a promising therapeutic approach for treating IVD degeneration.  

Future plans 
Doing translational research that will benefit people is my passion and enthusiasm. After my postdoctoral training I will continue my career in academia.  

Publications 

  1. Changli Zhang, Katherine M Joseph, Nazir M Khan, Martha Elena Diaz-Hernandez, Hicham Drissi, Svenja Illien-Junger. PHLPP1 deficiency protects against age-related intervertebral disc degeneration. JOR Spine 2022 Sept. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jsp2.1224

  2. Changli Zhang, Katherine Joseph, Shayan Parvini, Elizabeth W. Bradley, Jennifer J. Westendorf, Svenja Illien-Junger: Systematic depletion of Phlpp1 delays age-related intervertebral disc degeneration through inhibition of inflammation and extracellular matrix degradation. (to be submitted to Aging Cell)  

  3. Changli Zhang, Madeline P. Smith, George K. Zhou, Alon Lai, Robert C. Hoy, Victoria Mroz, Olivia M. Torre, Damien M. Laudier, Elizabeth W. Bradley, Jennifer J. Westendorf, James C. Iatridis, Svenja Illien-Jünger: Phlpp1 is associated with human intervertebral disc degeneration and its deficiency promotes healing after needle puncture injury in mice.  . Cell Death& Disease. 2019 Oct.  

  4. Chong Chen, Caixia Xu, Taifeng Zhou, Bo Gao, Hang Zhou, Changhua Chen, Changli Zhang, Dongsheng Huang and Peiqiang Su.: Abnormal osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells from patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in response to melatonin. Mol Med Rep. 2016 Aug; 14(2): 1201- 1209.  

  5. Changli Zhang, Yu-ching Xu, Wai-Kit Tam, Foonlian Lim, Kathryn S. Cheah, Rocky S Tuan, Kenneth M. Cheung, Victor Y. LeungThe interplay of N-cadherin and mechanical stimuli in the maturation of intervertebral disc. (In preparation).  

Conference proceedings 

  1. Changli Zhang, Katherine M Joseph, Shayan Parvini, Svenja Illien-Jünger: Phlpp inhibition Mediates Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-catabolic Effects In The Nucleus Pulposus of Degenerated IVDs; Paper # 0265; Transaction of the Orthopaedic Research Society, February 4-8 2022, Tampa, FL, USA (Podium Presentation)

  2. Changli Zhang, Kathy M. Joseph, Elizabeth W. Bradley, Jennifer J. Westendorf, Svenja Illien-Jünger: Phlpp1 deficiency decelerates inflammation and age-associated intervertebral disc degeneration in mice. Oral Presentation. ORS PSRS 6th International Spine Research, 2021.

  3. Changli Zhang, Zili Wang, Elizabeth W. Bradley, Jennifer J. Westendorf, Svenja Illien- Jünger: Phlpp1 deficiency decelerates inflammation and intervertebral disc degeneration in aged mice. Poster Pitch presentation. Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting, 2021.

  4. Changli Zhang, Madeline P. Smith, George K. Zhou, Alon Lai, Robert C. Hoy, Victoria Mroz, Olivia M. Torre, Damien M. Laudier, Elizabeth W. Bradley, Jennifer J. Westendorf, James C. Iatridis, Svenja Illien-Jünger: Phlpp1 regulates cellularity and matrix homeostasis in intervertebral disc degeneration. NIRA oral presentation, Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting, 2020, Phoenix, Arizona.

  5. Changli Zhang, Madeline P. Smith, George K. Zhou, Alon Lai, Robert C. Hoy, Victoria Mroz, Olivia M. Torre, Damien M. Laudier, Elizabeth W. Bradley, Jennifer J. Westendorf, James C. Iatridis, Svenja Illien-Jünger: Phlpp1 is associated with human intervertebral disc degeneration and its deficiency promotes healing after needle puncture injury in mice. Oral presentation, Spine Surgery Fellowship Meeting, 2019, New York, NY.

  6. Changli Zhang, Madeline P. Smith, George K. Zhou, Alon Lai, Robert C. Hoy, Victoria Mroz, Olivia M. Torre, Damien M. Laudier, Elizabeth W. Bradley, Jennifer J. Westendorf, James C. Iatridis, Svenja Illien-Jünger: Phlpp1 is associated with human intervertebral disc degeneration and its deficiency promotes healing after needle puncture injury in mice. Poster presentation, ORS PSRS 5th International Spine Research Symposium, 2019, Philadelphia, PA. Pennsylvania.

  7. Yu-Ching Hsu, Changli Zhang, Wai-Kit Tam, Vincent Lam, Barbara Chan, Victor Leung N- Cadherin Deficiency Enhances Response of Chondrogenic Genes to Mechanical Loading in Chordoma Culture. Poster presentation, ORS PSRS 5th International Spine Research Symposium, 2019, Philadelphia, PA. Pennsylvania.

  8. Changli Zhang, Foonlian Lim, Wai-Kit Tam, Tiffany Y. Au, Kathryn S. Cheah, Kenneth M. Cheung, Victor Y. Leung: Cadherin2/cadherin 2 Deficiency in Nucleus Pulposus Causes Loss Of Cell Vacuolation And Disc Integrity. Oral presentation, Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting, 2016, Orlando, Florida.

  9. Changli Zhang, Foonlian Lim, Wai-Kit Tam, Tiffany Y. Au, Kathryn S. Cheah, Rocky S Tuan, Kenneth M. Cheung, Victor Y. Leung: Developmental and degenerative roles of Cadherin 2 in intervertebral disc. Poster presentation, Research Grants Council’s Theme-basedResearch Scheme (TRS), 2016, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

  10. Changli Zhang, Foonlian Lim, Wai-Kit Tam, Tiffany Y. Au, Kathryn S. Cheah, Rocky S Tuan, Stephen M. Richardson, Judith Hoyland, Kenneth M. Cheung, Victor Y. Leung: Development of Intervertebral disc degeneration in Cadherin 2 mutant mouse. Poster presentation, Cartilage Biology & Pathology, Gordon Research Conferences (GRC), 2017, Lucca, Italy.

  11. Changli Zhang, Foonlian Lim, Wai-Kit Tam, Tiffany Y. Au, Kathryn S. Cheah, Kenneth M. Cheung, Victor Y. Leung: Development of lumbar disc degeneration in Cadherin 2 mouse mutant. The International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (ISSLS), 2017, Athens, Greece.

  12. Foonlian Lim, Wai-Kit Tam, Changli Zhang, Tiffany Y. Au, Danny Chan, Kathryn S. Cheah, Rocky S Tuan, Kenneth M. Cheung, Victor Y. Leung: Cadherin 2 is essential to Tie2+ notochordal cell maintenance in nucleus pulposus. Poster presentation, Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting, 2015, Las Vegas, Nevada.

  13. Foonlian Lim, Changli Zhang, Wai-Kit Tam, Tiffany Y. Au, Danny Chan, Kathryn S. Cheah, Rocky S Tuan, Kenneth M. Cheung, Victor Y. Leung: Nucleus pulposus cell vacuolation: a new perspective from Cadherin 2/Cadherin 2 Function. Oral presentation, ORS PSRS 3rd International Spine Research Symposium, 2015, Philadelphia, PA. Pennsylvania.