Research Directions

Pathophysiology of Pain and Itch

Personal Profile

Dr. Zhou Lijun, female, is a professor in the Department of Physiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, and a doctoral supervisor. She was selected as a school-level trainee of the "Thousand, Hundred and Ten Project" for higher education institutions in Guangdong Province in 2012; named "Outstanding Young Teacher in Higher Education Institutions of Guangdong Province" in 2013; selected as a young top-notch talent in the "Hundred, Thousand and Million Talents Project" of Guangdong Province in 2016; and won the "Outstanding Teacher Award for the Clinical Medicine Major of the Couple Ye Ren'gao - Li Youji" from Sun Yat-sen University in 2018 - 2019.

She graduated with a bachelor's degree in clinical medicine from Xiangya Medical College, Central South University in 2001. Later, she studied under Professor Liu Xiangguo at the Department of Physiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, and obtained her Ph.D. in physiology in 2008. From July 2014 to July 2016, she visited the laboratory of Dr. Long-Jun Wu in the Department of Cell Biology & Neuroscience at Rutgers University in the United States for two years. She was appointed as an associate professor in February 2011, as a doctoral supervisor at Sun Yat-sen University in June 2016, and as a professor at Sun Yat-sen University in February 2021.

Professor Zhou Lijun's research group is dedicated to the research on "Pathophysiology of Pain and Itch". In this field, she has published more than 40 SCI-indexed research papers, including 17 papers as the first or corresponding author in mainstream international journals such as Theranostics, Cell Rep, J Neurosci, and Pain. In particular, she has published a series of influential research papers in the direction of the mechanism research on chronic pain and comorbid cognitive dysfunction. Her current research directions include: 1) The mechanism by which microglia-modified neural pathways mediate the transformation of acute pain into chronic pain; 2) The pathogenesis of chronic pain comorbid with cognitive dysfunction; 3) The neuroimmune mechanism of chronic itch.

Academic Achievements

Publication of Research Papers

1. Mai CL#, Tan Z#, Xu YN#, Zhang JJ#, Huang ZH, Wang D, Zhang H, Gui WS, Zhang J, Meng YT, Wei X, Jie YT, Grace PM, Wu LJ, Zhou LJ*, Liu XG. CXCL12-mediated monocyte transmigration into brain perivascular space leads to neuroinflammation and memory deficits in neuropathic condition. Theranostics,2021;11(3):1059-1078.
2. Zhou LJ#, Peng JY#, Xu YN, Zeng WJ, Zhang J, Wei X, Mai CL, Lin ZJ, Liu Y, Murugan M, Eyo UB, Umpierre AD, Xin WJ, Chen T, Li M, Wang H, Richardson JR, Tan Z*, Liu XG*, Wu LJ*. Microglia are indispensable for synaptic plasticity in the spinal dorsal horn and chronic pain. Cell Rep. 2019 Jun 25;27(13):3844-3859
3. Mai CL#, Wei X#, Gui WS#, Xu YN, Zhang J, Lin ZJ, Tan Z, Meng YT, Li YY1, Zhou LJ*，Liu XG*. Differential regulation of GSK-3β in spinal dorsal horn and in hippocampus mediated by IL-1β contributes to pain hypersensitivity and memory deficits following peripheral nerve injury. Mol Pain. 2019, 15: 1–12.
4. Zeng WJ#, Tan Z#, Lai XF, Xu YN, Mai CL, Zhang J, Lin ZJ, Liu XG, Sun SL*, Zhou LJ*. Topical delivery of L-theanine ameliorates TPA-induced acute skin inflammation via downregulating endothelial PECAM-1 and neutrophil infiltration and activation. Chem-Biol Interact. 2018 Feb 16, 284:69–79.
5. Zhou LJ#, Chen XY#, Liu SP#, Zhang LL, Xu YN, Mu PW, Geng DF, Tan Z*. Downregulation of Cavin-1 expression via increasing caveolin-1 degradation prompts the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells in balloon injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia. J Am Heart Assoc. 2017 Jul 27;6(8);1-17.
6. Liu Y#, Zhou LJ#, Wang J#, Li D, Ren WJ, Peng JY, Wei X, Xu T, Xin WJ, Pang RP, Li YY, Qin ZH, Murugan M, Mattson MP, Wu LJ* and Liu XG*. TNF-α Differentially Regulates Synaptic Plasticity in the hippocampus and spinal cord by microglia-dependent mechanisms after peripheral nerve injury. J Neurosci. 2017 Jan 25;37(4):871-881.
7. Zhou LJ#, Liu XG*. Glial activation, a common mechanism underlying spinal synaptic plasticity? Neurosci Bull. 2017 Feb;33(1):121-123.
8. Peng J#, Gu N#, Zhou L, Eyo UB, Murugan M, Gan WB, Wu LJ. Microglia and monocytes synergistically promote the transition from acute to chronic pain after nerve injury. Nat Commun., 2016 Jun 28;16, 605-614
9. Gui WS#, Wei X, Mai CL, Murugan M, Wu LJ, Xin WJ, Zhou LJ*, Liu XG*. Interleukin-1β overproduction is a common cause for neuropathic pain, memory deficit, and depression following peripheral nerve injury in rodents. Mol Pain. 2016 May 12;12: 1-15.
10.  Wei XH#, Wei X#, Chen FY, Zang Y, Xin WJ, Pang RP, Chen Y, Wang J, Li YY, Shen KF, Zhou LJ*, Liu XG*. The up-regulation of translocator protein (18 kDa) promotes recovery from neuropathic pain in rats. J Neurosci. 2013 Jan 23;33(4):1540-51
11. Tan Z#*, Zhou LJ#, Mu PW, Liu SP, Chen SJ, Fu XD, Wang TH*. Caveolin-3 is involved in the protection of resveratrol against high-fat-diet-induced insulin resistance by promoting GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane in skeletal muscle of ovariectomized rats. J Nutr Biochem. 2012 Dec;23(12):1716-24.
12. Zhou LJ#, Yang T#, Wei X, Liu Y, Xin WJ, Chen Y, Pang RP, Zang Y, Li YY and Liu XG*. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor contributes to spinal long-term potentiation and mechanical hypersensitivity by activation of spinal microglia in rat. Brain Behav Immun. 2011 Feb;25(2):322-34.
13. Zhong Y#, Zhou LJ#, Ren WJ, Xin WJ, Li YY, Zhang T and Liu XG*. The direction of synaptic plasticity mediated by C-fibers in spinal dorsal horn is decided by Src-family kinases in microglia: the role of tumor necrosis factor-α. Brain Behav Immun. 2010 Aug;24(6):874-80.
14. Zhou LJ#, Ren WJ#, Zhong Y, Yang T, Wei XH, Xin WJ, Liu CC, Zhou LH, Li YY, Liu XG*. Limited BDNF contributes to the failure of injury to skin afferents to produce a neuropathic pain condition. Pain. 2010 Jan;148(1):148-57.
15. Zhou LJ#, Zhong Y#, Ren WJ, Li YY, Zhang T and Liu XG*. BDNF induces late-phase LTP of C-fiber evoked field potentials in rat spinal dorsal horn. Exp Neurol. 2008 Aug;212(2):507-14.
16. Yang HW#, Zhou LJ#, Hu NW, Xin WJ, Liu XG*. Activation of Spinal D1/D5 Receptors Induces Late Phase LTP of C-fiber Evoked Field Potentials in Rat Spinal Dorsal Horn. J Neurophysiol. 2005, Aug;94(2):961-967.

Textbooks and Monographs

• Editorial Board Member, Practical Pain Medicine, People's Medical Publishing House, 2021.
• Editorial Board Member, Chinese Medical Education Question Bank, People's Medical Publishing House (Electronic Audio-Visual Publishing House), 2019.
• Editorial Board Member, Experimental Physiological Science, People's Medical Publishing House, 2014.

Research Projects

Projects as the First Participant and Main Project Leader

• Guangdong Second Provincial People's Hospital, Scientific Research Startup Fund for Talents Introduced by the Hospital in 2019, Project No. YY2019-003. "Research on the Mechanism by which Increased Plasma CXCL12 Regulates Spinal Central Sensitization to Mediate Chronic Pain", from June 2020 to May 2023, with a fund of 500,000 yuan. In progress.

Projects as the Leader

• Guangdong Natural Science Foundation Committee, General Project. "Research on the Mechanism by which Increased Plasma CXCL12 Mediates Perivascular Neuroinflammation in the Hippocampus, Leading to Memory Disorders after Peripheral Nerve Injury and the Intervention of Theanine", from October 2021 to September 2024, with a fund of 100,000 yuan. In progress.
• Guangdong Natural Science Foundation Committee, General Project. Project No. 2019A1515011838. "Establishment of a Chronic Primary Pain Model Induced by Electrical Stimulation of the Sciatic Nerve and Exploration of the Key Role of CGRP", from October 2019 to September 2022, with a fund of 100,000 yuan. In progress.
• National Natural Science Foundation Committee, General Project. Project No. 81771204. "Research on the Mechanism by which TREM2 Regulates Microglial Function through the CSF1R/DAP12 Signaling Pathway to Mediate the Transformation of Acute Pain into Chronic Pain", from January 2018 to December 2021, with a fund of 580,000 yuan. In progress.
• Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Open Fund Project of Guangdong Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Resources Innovation and Utilization. Project No. 201701. "Research on the Effect of EGCG on Central Sensitization in Chronic Pain and Its Mechanism", from August 2017 to July 2019, with a fund of 100,000 yuan. Completed.
• Office of the Leading Group for Talent Work in Guangdong Province. "Guangdong Special Support Program" for the Young and Middle-aged Talents in the Top-Notch Talents Project in 2016. Organized by the Organization Department of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Guangdong Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security. From January 2016 to December 2016, with a fund of 100,000 yuan. Completed.
• National Natural Science Foundation Committee, General Project. Project No. 81371198. "Research on the Role and Mechanism of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Hippocampal Memory Dysfunction Induced by Peripheral Nerve Injury", from January 2014 to December 2017, with a fund of 700,000 yuan. Completed.
• Training Program for Outstanding Young Teachers in Guangdong Higher Education Institutions. Project No. Yq2013008. "Research on the Role and Mechanism of GSK-3β in Cytokine Regulation of Neuropathic Pain", from January 2014 to December 2016, with a fund of 450,000 yuan. Completed.
• Guangdong Natural Science Foundation Committee, General Project. Project No. S2013010011889. "Research on the Role and Mechanism of GSK-3β in Peripheral Sensitization of Neuropathic Pain", from October 2013 to September 2016, with a fund of 50,000 yuan. Completed.
• Sun Yat-sen University. Project of the "Cultivation Program for Young Teachers in Sun Yat-sen University" (Medical Science) in 2011. Project No. 11ykpy01. "Research on the Role and Regulatory Mechanism of Immune Cytokines in Chronic Pain", from December 2011 to December 2014, with a fund of 150,000 yuan. Completed.
• National Natural Science Foundation Committee, Young Scientists Fund Project. Project No. 31000489. "Differential Regulation of TNF-α on BDNF Expression in the Spinal Cord and Hippocampus after Peripheral Nerve Injury and Its Mechanism", from January 2011 to December 2013, with a fund of 180,000 yuan. Completed.
• China Postdoctoral Science Foundation. The Third Batch of Special Grants from the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation. Project No. 201003373. "Differential Regulation of TNF-α on BDNF Expression in the Spinal Cord and Hippocampus after Peripheral Nerve Injury and Its Significance". Duration: from October 27, 2010 to September 30, 2012, with a fund of 100,000 yuan. Completed.
• China Postdoctoral Science Foundation. The 46th Batch of the Second Prize of the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation. Project No. 20090460805. "Research on the Role and Mechanism of BDNF in the Differences of Neuropathic Pain Induced by Different Nerve Injuries", from December 2009 to December 2011, with a fund of 30,000 yuan. Completed.

Participation in Research Funds

• National Natural Science Foundation Committee. NSFC-Guangdong Joint Fund in 2012. Project No. U1201223/L02. "Research on the Mechanism by which the Immune Cytokine Microenvironment in Dorsal Root Ganglia and Spinal Dorsal Horn Regulates Neuropathic Pain". From January 2013 to December 2016, with a fund of 2,500,000 yuan. Completed.

Awards and Honors

• In 2020, won the "Outstanding Young and Middle-aged Talent Award" of the Guangdong Physiological Society.
• In 2019, won the "Outstanding Teacher Award" for outstanding young and middle-aged teachers in clinical medicine majors of the "Ye Ren'gao-Li Youji" Couple in 2018 - 2019 at Sun Yat-sen University.
• In 2016, was selected as a "Young Top-notch Talent in the 'Hundred, Thousand and Million Talents Project'" of the "Guangdong Special Support Program".
• In 2013, was named "Outstanding Young Teacher in Higher Education Institutions of Guangdong Province".
• In 2012, was selected as a "Trainee of the Seventh Batch of the 'Thousand, Hundred and Ten Project' at the University Level in Guangdong Province".
• As the second completer, in 2013, won the Second Prize of the Natural Science Award for Excellent Scientific Research Achievements of Higher Education Institutions of the Ministry of Education (2012 - 070). Project Name: Research on the Mechanism of Pain Memory in the Spinal Dorsal Horn.
• In 2013, received funding from the Chinese Physiological Society to support 20 outstanding young teachers and young researchers to participate in the 37th International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS 2013) held in Birmingham, UK from July 21 - 26.
• As the third completer, in 2012, won the Third Prize of the Science and Technology Award of the Chinese Medical Association (201203231P0803). Project Name: Synaptic Model of Chronic Pain, Research on the Mechanism of Long-term Potentiation of Pain Transmission in the Spinal Dorsal Horn.
• In 2011, at the "11th Zhang Xijun Foundation National Young Outstanding Physiological Science Academic Paper Exchange and Award Meeting", the paper "The Influence of BDNF on Synaptic Transmission Plasticity in the Spinal Dorsal Horn and Its Mechanism" won the "Outstanding Paper Oral Report Award".
• In 2008, at the Beijing International Congress of Physiological Sciences, was named "Outstanding Presenter in the Young Physiologist Symposium".