Personal Profile

Li Chunling, a talent introduced by Sun Yat-sen University, is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University. In 1995, he obtained a Bachelor of Clinical Medicine degree from Norman Bethune Medical University (now Jilin University Health Science Center). In 1999, he went to study in Denmark and attended Aarhus University. In 2004, he received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Aarhus University. After 2004, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Colorado Medical Center in the United States and was promoted to research lecturer. In February 2012, he returned to China and joined the Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University.

Academic Achievements

Major Academic Research Results

He has been engaged in research on renal physiology and pathophysiology for more than twenty years and has accumulated rich research experience. To date, he has published over 60 SCI papers. Among the published papers, research topics such as "Increased expression of aquaporin 2 induced by hypertonicity - vasopressin-independent", "Mechanism of antidiuretic effect induced by oxytocin", "Mechanism of renal concentrating defect induced by increased glucocorticoids" and "Regulatory mechanism of aquaporin 2 by bile acid membrane receptors" were all published as the first author or corresponding author in the authoritative nephrology specialty journal Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. In addition, he systematically explored for the first time internationally the changes in renal function and the variations and regulatory mechanisms of various aquaporins, sodium transporters, urea transporters and epithelial sodium channels after ureteral obstruction and its relief. He also successively investigated the pathophysiological mechanisms of renal water and salt metabolism disorders in models such as acute kidney injury, ischemia-reperfusion, hemorrhagic shock and under the conditions of various hormones. To a certain extent, these research findings have promoted people's understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological processes of the kidney and the cellular and molecular basis, providing new ideas and experimental evidence for the treatment of related diseases. Currently, his main research directions are the molecular mechanisms of acute and chronic kidney injury and the protective effects of drugs.

Textbooks and Monographs

Published SCI papers (as corresponding author and first author)

1. Zhao X, Kong Y, Liang B, Xu J, Lin Y, Zhou N, Li J, Jiang B, Cheng J*, Li C*, Wang W*. Mechanosensitive Piezo1 channels mediate renal fibrosis. JCI Insight. 2022 Mar 1;e152330. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.152330. (IF=8.3)

2. Xu L#, Xie H#, Hu S, Zhao X, Han M, Liu Q, Feng P, Wang W*, Li C*. HDAC3 Inhibition Improves Urinary Concentrating Defect in Hypokalaemia by Promoting AQP2 Transcription. Acta Physiol (Oxf). 2022 Feb 18;e13802. doi: 10.1111/apha.13802. (IF=6.3)

3. Liu Q, Kong Y, Guo X, Liang B, Xie H, Hu S, Han M, Zhao X, Feng P, Lyu Q, Dong W, Liang X, Wang W*, Li C*. GSK-3β inhibitor TDZD-8 prevents reduction of aquaporin-1 expression via activating autophagy under renal ischemia reperfusion injury. FASEB J. 2021 Aug;35(8):e21809. doi: 10.1096/fj.202100549R. (IF=5.2)

4. Han M，Li S, Xie H, Liu Q, Wang A, Hu S, Zhao X, Kong Y, Wang W, Li C*. Activation of TGR5 restores AQP2 expression via HIF pathway in renal ischemia/reperfusion injury. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol2021 Mar 1;320(3):F308-F321.doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00577.2020.Epub 2021 Jan 11. (IF=3.3)

5. Kong Y, Zhao X, Qiu M, Lin Y, Feng P, Li S, Liang B, Zhu Q, Huang H, Li C*, Wang W*. Tubular Mas Receptor Mediates Lipid-Induced Kidney Injury. Cell Death Dis. 2021 Jan 21;12(1):110.doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-03375-z. (IF=8.5)

6.  Hu S, Xie H, Luo R, Feng P, Liu Q, Han M, Kong Y, Zou X, Wang W*, Li C*. Inhibition of IL-1β by Aliskiren Improved Renal AQP2 Expression and Urinary Concentration Defect in Ureteral Obstruction and Release. Front Physiol. 2019 Sep 13;10:1157.doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01157. (IF=4.1)

7. Liu T, Tang L, Tang H, Pu J, Gong S, Fang D, Zhang H, Li YP, Zhu X, Wang W, Wu M, Liao Y, Li C*, Zhou H*, Huang X*. Zika Virus Infection Induces Acute Kidney Injury Through Activating NLRP3 Inflammasome Via Suppressing Bcl-2. Front Immunol. 2019 Aug 14;10:1925. (IF=4.7)

8. Luo R#, Hu S#, Liu Q, Han M, Wang F, Qiu M, Li S, Li X, Yang T, Fu X, Wang W*, Li C*. Hydrogen Sulfide Upregulates Renal AQP2 Protein Expression and Promotes Urine Concentration. FASEB J. 2019 Jan;33(1):469-483. (IF=5.6)

9. Li S, Qiu M, Kong Y, Zhao X, Choi HJ, Reich M, Bunkelman BH, Liu Q, Hu S, Han M, Xie H, Rosenberg AZ, Keitel V, Kwon TH, Levi M, Li C*, Wang W*. Bile Acid G Protein-Coupled Membrane Receptor TGR5 Modulates Aquaporin 2-Mediated Water Homeostasis. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2018 Nov;29(11):2658-2670. (IF=8.6)

10. Wang F, Liu Q, Luo R, Hu S, Han M, Zhai Y, Wang W, Li C* Combination exposure of melamine and cyanuric acid is associated with polyuria and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in rats. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2018 Aug 1;315(2):F199-F210. (IF=3.6)

11. Wang F, Zhu S, Fisher LA, Wang W, Oakley GG, Li C*, Peng A*. Protein interactomes of protein phosphatase 2A B55 regulatory subunits reveal B55-mediated regulation of replication protein A under replication stress. Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 8;8(1):2683.

12. Luo R, Kakizoe Y, Wang F, Fan X, Hu S, Yang T, Wang W, Li C*. Deficiency of mPGES-1 exacerbates renal fibrosis and inflammation in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol, 2017 Jan 1;312(1):F121-F133

13. Wang W, Li C, Yang T*.  Protection of Nitro-Fatty Acid against Kidney Diseases. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2016 Mar 1;310(5):F351-63, review.

14. Li C#, Lin Y#, Luo R, Chen S, Wang F, Zheng P, Levi M, Yang T, Wang W*. Intrarenal Renin-Angiotensin System Mediates Fatty Acid-Induced ER Stress in the Kidney. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2016 Mar 1;310(5):F351-63.

15. Wang W#, Luo R#, Lin Y, Wang F, Zheng P, Levi M, Yang T, Li C*.  Aliskiren Restores Renal AQP2 Expression during Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction by Inhibiting the Inflammasome. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol, 2015, Apr 15;308(8):F910-22.4.

16. Li C, Wang W, Rivard C, Lanaspa M, Summer S, Schrier RW. Molecular mechanisms of angiotensin II stimulation on aquaporin-2 expression and trafficking. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2011 May;300(5):F1255-61

17. Li C, Wang W, Summer SN, Falk S, Schrier RW. Downregulation of UT-A1/UT-A3 is associated with urinary concentrating defect in glucocorticoid-excess state. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2008 Oct;19(10):1975-81.  (IF=8.6)

18. Li C, Wang W, Summer SN, Westfall TD, Brooks DP, Falk S, Schrier RW. Molecular Mechanisms of Antidiuretic Effect of Oxytocin. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2008 Feb;19(2):225-32. (IF=8.6)

19. Li C, Wang W, Norregaard R, Knepper MA, Nielsen S, Frokiaer J. Altered expression of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in rats with bilateral or unilateral ureteral obstruction. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2007 Jul;293(1):F333-41.  

20. Li C, Wang W, Summer SN, Cadnapaphornchai MA, Falk S, Umenishi F, Schrier RW. Hyperosmolality In Vivo Upregulates Aquaporin 2 Water Channel and Na-K-2Cl Co-Transporter in Brattleboro Rats. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2006 Jun;17(6):1657-64 .  (IF=8.6)

21. Li C, Shi Y, Wang W, Sardeli C, Kwon TH, Thomsen K, Jonassen T, Djurhuus JC, Knepper MA, Nielsen S, Frokiaer J. alpha-MSH prevents impairment in renal function and dysregulation of AQPs and Na-K-ATPase in rats with bilateral ureteral obstruction.Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2006 Feb;290(2):F384-96.

22. Li C, Klein JD, Wang W, Knepper MA, Nielsen S, Sands JM, Frokiaer J. Altered expression of urea transporters in response to ureteral obstruction. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2004 Jun;286(6):F1154-62

23. Li C, Wang W, Kwon T-H, Knepper MA, Nielsen S, Frokiaer J. Altered expression of major renal Na transporters in rats with bilateral ureteral obstruction and release of obstruction. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2003 Nov;285(5):F889-F901.

24. Li C, Wang W, Knepper MA, Nielsen S, Frokiaer J. Downregulation of renal aquaporins in response to unilateral ureteral obstruction. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2003 May; 284(5): F1066-F1079.

25. Li C, Wang W, Kwon TH, Knepper MA, Nielsen S, Frokiaer J. Altered expression of major renal Na transporters in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2003 Jan;284(1):F155-66.

26. Li C, Wang W, Kwon TH, Isikay L, Wen JG, Marples D, Djurhuus JC, Stockwell A, Knepper MA, Nielsen S, Frokiaer J. Downregulation of AQP1, -2, and -3 after ureteral obstruction is associated with a long-term urine-concentrating defect. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2001 Jul;281(1):F163-71.

Contribute to English book (chapter):

1. Li S, Li C*, and Wang W*, Molecular aspects of Aquaporins. Vitamins and Hormones, Volume 113. © 2020 Elsevier Inc. ISBN 0083-6729.

2. Li C and Wang W, Molecular Biology of Aquaporins. In Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 969 Aquaporins, editor, Yang B. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2017. ISBN 978-94-024-1055-6

3. Li C and Wang W, Urea transport mediated by water channel protein aquaporins. Subcell Biochem. 2014;73:227-65. © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014. ISBN 978-94-017-9342-1

Participation in Chinese Textbook Compilation (Chapters)

1. National College Textbook: Textbook for Five-year Clinical Medicine Program, 9th Edition Physiology, Editorial Board Member, People's Medical Publishing House, 2018.
2. Supporting Textbook for the 9th Edition of the National College Five-year Clinical Medicine Program Textbook, Guidance and Exercise Set for Physiology Learning, Editorial Board Member, People's Medical Publishing House, 2018.
3. Concise Review of National Higher Education Five-year Clinical Medicine Program Textbook, Pathophysiology, Associate Chief Editor, China Medical Science Press, 2018.
4. Concise Exercise Set of National Higher Education Five-year Clinical Medicine Program Textbook, Pathophysiology, Editorial Board Member, China Medical Science Press, 2018.

Participation in English Textbook Compilation (Chapters)

1. National College Textbook: National Health and Family Planning Commission's "13th Five-Year" English Version Planned Textbook, Human Physiology, Associate Chief Editor, People's Medical Publishing House, 2020.

Research Projects

• National Natural Science Foundation General Project, 2021 - 2024; Project Leader.
• National Natural Science Foundation General Project, 2019 - 2022; Project Leader.
• National Natural Science Foundation General Project, 2016 - 2019; Project Leader.
• Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation Free Application Project, 2021 - 2023; Project Leader.
• Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation Free Application Project, 2015 - 2017; Project Leader.
• Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars Starting Fund of the Ministry of Education, 2014 - 2016; Project Leader.
• Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation Free Application Project, 2013 - 2015; Project Leader.
• Sun Yat-sen University Starting Fund, 2012 - 2013; Project Leader.
• National Natural Science Foundation Key Project, 2014 - 2018; Project Participant.

Academic Part-time Positions

• Member of the American Physiological Society
• Member of the American Society of Nephrology
• Member of the Kidney Physiology Committee of the Chinese Physiological Society
• Member of the Kidney Pharmacology Committee of the Chinese Pharmacological Society
• Vice President of the Guangdong Physiological Society
• Reviewer for American Journal of Physiology - Renal Physiology