Research Focus:

The integrity and functionality of the outermost epithelium is essential for corneal transparency and therefore vision. The corneal epithelium is maintained by a population of limbal epithelial stem cells (LESC’s) which reside at the junction (known as the limbus) between the corneal and neighbouring conjunctival epithelium. Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) is a disease caused by the loss or dysfunction of limbal stem cells (LSC). In LSCD, the corneal epithelium integrity and function cannot be maintained and consequently epithelial defects occur causing persistent pain and severe visual impairment with marked patient morbidity, often affecting young adults and requiring frequent clinic visits. Evidence from a variety of experimental systems has shown that p38MAPK, Wnt/beta-catenin and Notch signaling signaling pathways play important roles in LSCD progress. The temporal and spatial activation of these signaling pathways and the crosstalk of these three signaling pathways in the occurrence and progress of LSCD will be further studied to elucidate the significance of signaling pathway abnormality on the pathophysiology of LSCD, so as to illustrate the molecular mechanism of LSCD.

Educational background:

2000-2004: Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University;

2004-2007: Master of Science, Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Xiamen University;

2007-2010 Ph.D. in Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Xiamen University

Work experience:

2011.02-2014.07: Assistant Professor, Eye Institute of Xiamen University.

2015.09-2015.12: Visiting Scholar, University of Kentucky.

2015.12-2016.09: Visiting Scholar, University of Cincinnati.

2014.08-2021.07: Associate Professor, Eye Institute of Xiamen University.

2021.08-present: Professor, Eye Institute of Xiamen University.

Selected Publications

1. Zheng L#, Han Y#, Ye E, Zhu Q, Loh X, Li Z* Li C*. Recent Advances in Ocular Therapy by Hydrogel Biomaterials. World Scientific Annual Review of Functional Materials. 2022: 2230002

2. Wang Y#, Kang H#, Jin M, Wang G, Ma W, Liu Z, Xue Y*, Li C*. Phenotypic and Transcriptomics Analyses Reveal Underlying Mechanisms in a Mouse Model of Corneal Bee Sting. Toxins (Basel). 2022 Jul 8;14(7):468. doi: 10.3390/toxins14070468.

3. Zhong Y#, Fang X#, Wang X, Lin Y, Wu H*, Li C*. Effects of Sodium Hyaluronate Eye Drops With or Without Preservatives on Ocular Surface Bacterial Microbiota. Front Med. 2022 Feb 14;9:793565.

4. Wang X, Zhong Y, Liang M, Lin Z, Wu H*, Li C*. Crosslinking-Induced Corneal Endothelium Dysfunction and Its Protection by Topical Ripasudil Treatment. Dis Markers. 2022 Jan 13;2022:5179247.

5. Li W, Li X, Cui F, Xu Z, Dong N*, Li C*. The Ocular Surface Characteristics in Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with Androgen Deprivation Therapy. Dis Markers. 2021 Nov 9;2021:5390195.

6. Zong R, Zhu F, Han W, Wang Y, Wang G, Wang Y, Mao Y, Guan T, Liu Z, Xue Y*, Li C*. Tear dynamics testing and quantitative proteomics analysis in patients with chronic renal failure. J Proteomics. 2021 Aug 16:104351.

7. Wang G，An X，Jin M, Wang X, Zong R, Liu Z, Liu Z, Xue Y*, Li C*. Real-time confocal microscopy imaging of corneal cytoarchitectural changes induced by different stresses. Exp Eye Res. 2021, 108706.

8. Li Z, Liu M, Ke J, Wang J, Wu C, Li C*, Li Z*, Wu Y*. Flexible polymeric nanosized micelles for ophthalmic drug delivery: research progress in the last three years. Nanoscale Adv. 2021, 3 (18) , 5240-5254

9. Han Y#, Jiang L#, Shi H#, Xu C, Liu M, Li Q, Zheng L, Chi H, Wang Y, Liu Z, You M, Loh X, Wu Y*, Li Z*, Li C*. Effectiveness of an ocular adhesive polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane hybrid thermo-responsive FK506 hydrogel in a murine model of dry eye. Bioact Mater. 2021 Jul 28;9:77-91.

10. Jin M, Wang Y, An X, Kang H, Wang Y, Wang G, Gao Y, Wu S, Reinach P, Liu Z, Xue Y, Li C*. Phenotypic and transcriptomic changes in the corneal epithelium following exposure to cigarette smoke. Environmental Pollution. 2021, 117540,

11. An X, Wang G, Jin M, ZhouX, Gao S, Chen J, Reinach P, Liu Z, Xue Y*, Li C*. Novel Cell Culture Paradigm Prolongs Mouse Corneal Epithelial Cell Proliferative Activity in vitro and in vivo. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021 Jun 30; 9:675998.

12. Han Y#, Xu C#, Shi H#, Yu F, Zhong Y, Liu Z, Loh X, Wu Y*, Li Z*, Li C*. Engineered bio-adhesive polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane hybrid nanoformulation of amphotericin B for prolonged therapy of fungal keratitis. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2021, 421, 129734

13. Dong N#*, Cai Q#, Li Z, Xu L, Wu H, Lin Z, Qiu B, Li C*, Lin Z*. Convenient hyaluronidase biosensors based on the target-trigger enhancing of the permeability of a membrane using an electronic balance as a readout. Analyst. 2021 May 17;146(10):3299-3304.

14. Tao Y, Luo F, Lin Y, Dong N*, Li C*, Lin Z*. Quantitative gold nanorods based photothermal biosensor for glucose using a thermometer as readout. Talanta. 2021, 230, 122364

15. Li X#, Wang X#, Wang Y, Wu H*, Li C*. Effect of Proparacaine Hydrochloride Eye Drops on the Ocular Surface. International Journal of Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 2021; 6(1): 46-53

16. Ma W, Wang G, Li X, Wu H, Liu Z, Dong N*, Li C*. Study of Factors Influencing Dry Eye in Rheumatoid Arthritis. J Ophthalmol. 2020 Aug 8;2020:5768679.

17. Wang G, Chen P, Wang Y, Wang Y, Reinach PS, Xue Y, Liu Z*, Li C*. Onion Epithelial Membrane Scaffolds Transfer Corneal Epithelial Layers in Reconstruction Surgery. Adv Healthc Mater. 2020 Jul;9(14):e2000469.

18. Jin M, Wang Y, Wang Y, Li Y, Wang G, Liu X, Xue Y*, Liu Z, Li C*. Protective effects on corneal endothelium during intracameral irrigation using N-(2)-L-alanyl-L-glutamine. Front Pharmacol. 2020，11: 369.

19. Wang Y, Zhang Y, Lin Z, Wu H*, Li C*. Case Studies of Mycobacterium abscess Infection after Laser in Situ Keratomileusis. Case Reports in Clinical Medicine, 2019 Dec；8(12): 307-314

20. Han Y#, Li C#*, Cai Q, Bao X, Tang L, Ao H, Liu J, Jin M, Zhou Y, Wan Y, Liu Z*. Studies on bacterial cellulose/poly vinyl alcohol (BC/PVA) hydrogel composites as tissue-engineered corneal stroma. Biomed Mater. 2019 Nov 12. doi: 10.1088/1748-605X/ab56ca.

21. Wang G, Xue Y, Wang Y, Dong F, Shen M, Zong R, Liu Z*, Li C*. The role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of exposure keratitis. J Cell Mol Med. 2019， 23(6):4217-4228.

22. Yang Q, Tang L, Shen M, Wang Y, Wei Y, Jeyalatha V, Chen P, Dong F, Wang G, Wu S, Liu Z*, Li C*. Effects of diesel exhaust particles on the condition of mouse ocular surface. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2018, 163(11):585-593.

23. Wang G, Dong N, Wang Y, Li J, Dong F, Jeyalatha V, Wu J, Shen M, Yang Q, Chen P, Xue Y, Liu Z, Li C*. Epithelial dysplasia in pterygium postoperative granuloma. Exp Eye Res. 2018, 175(8):199-206.

24. Li J#, Li C#, Wang G, Liu Z, Chen P, Yang Q, Dong N, Wu H, Liu Z*, Li W*. APR-246/PRIMA-1Met Inhibits and Reverses Squamous Metaplasia in Human Conjunctival Epithelium. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2016, 57(2):444-52.

25. Li C, Dong N, Wu H, Dong F, Xu Y, Du H, He H, Liu Z*, Li W*. A novel method for preservation of human corneal limbal tissue. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013, 54(6), 4041-4047.

26. Li C, Dong F, Jia Y, Du H, Dong N, Xu Y, Wang S, Wu H, Liu Z*, Li W*. Notch signal regulates corneal endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Am J Pathol. 2013, 183(3), 786-795.

27. Li C, Yin T, Dong N, Dong F, Fang X, Qu YL, Tan Y, Wu H, Liu Z*, Li W*. Oxygen tension affects terminal differentiation of corneal limbal epithelial cells. J Cell Physiol. 2011, 226(9), 2429-2437.

28. Dong N, Qin W, Xue Y, Li C*, Liu Z*. Hypoxia affects in vitro proliferation and differentiation of mouse corneal epithelial progenitor cell. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim. 2013, 49(7), 508-514.

29. Dong N#, Li C#, Chen W, Qin W, Xue Y, Wu H, Fibrin glue-assisted for the treatment of corneal perforations using glycerin-cryopreserved corneal tissue, Int J Ophthalmol, 2014, 7(1), 62-65.