headshot of Rui Liang

Rui Liang

Assistant Professor
rul3@pitt.edu
Bioengineering Department

overview

Dr. Liang is dedicated to advancing women's health through translational research. Equipped with state-of-the-art technologies in biomedical science, her laboratory is well-prepared for comprehensive analyses at various levels, from tissues to cells and molecules. This allows her and her team to explore intricate biological processes and gain deeper insights into various health conditions affecting women. Her funded projects aim to 1) understand the impact of diabetes on the vaginal tissue and the host response to urogynecologic meshes; 2) define the role of hyperglycemic memory in innate immune response to medical implants; and 3) determine the effect of perioperative glycemic control on long-term surgical outcomes.

about

MD, Xi'an Jiaotong University

Liang, R., Shaker, E.R., Zhao, M., King, G., & Moalli, P.A. (2024). Dysregulated inflammatory response to urogynecologic meshes in women with diabetes and its implications. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 231(1), 115.e1-115.e11.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.02.282.

Knight, K.M., King, G.E., Palcsey, S.L., Suda, A., Liang, R., & Moalli, P.A. (2022). Mesh deformation: A mechanism underlying polypropylene prolapse mesh complications in vivo. Acta Biomater, 148, 323-335.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.05.051.

Liang, R., Fisk, A., King, G., Meyn, L., Xiao, X., & Moalli, P. (2022). Characterization of vaginal immune response to a polypropylene mesh: Diabetic vs. normoglycemic conditions. Acta Biomater, 143, 310-319.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.03.007.

Shapiro, K.K., Knight, K.M., Liang, R., Cook, J., King, G.E., Abramowitch, S.D., & Moalli, P.A. (2021). Comparison of 2 single incision slings on the vagina in an ovine model. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 224(1), 78.e1-78.e7.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.07.005.

Artsen, A.M., Liang, R., Meyn, L., Rytel, M., Palcsey, S., Abramowitch, S.D., & Moalli, P.A. (2020). T regulatory cells and TGF-β1: Predictors of the host response in mesh complications. Acta Biomater, 115, 127-135.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.07.051.

Artsen, A.M., Rytel, M., Liang, R., King, G.E., Meyn, L., Abramowitch, S.D., & Moalli, P.A. (2019). Mesh induced fibrosis: The protective role of T regulatory cells. Acta Biomater, 96, 203-210.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.07.031.

Knight, K., Moalli, P., & Liang, R. (2019). Basic Science of Vaginal Mesh. In The Innovation and Evolution of Medical Devices. (pp. 173-194).Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-97073-8_8.

Shaffer, R.M., Liang, R., Knight, K., Carter-Brooks, C.M., Abramowitch, S., & Moalli, P.A. (2019). Impact of polypropylene prolapse mesh on vaginal smooth muscle in rhesus macaque. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 221(4), 330.e1-330.e9.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.05.008.

Tennyson, L., Rytel, M., Palcsey, S., Meyn, L., Liang, R., & Moalli, P. (2019). Characterization of the T-cell response to polypropylene mesh in women with complications. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 220(2), 187.e1-187.e8.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2018.11.121.

Tennyson, L., Rytel, M., Palcsey, S., Meyn, L., Liang, R., & Moalli, P. (2019). Characterization of the T-Cell Response to Polypropylene Mesh in Women With Complications. OBSTETRICAL & GYNECOLOGICAL SURVEY, 74(5), 274-275.Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1097/01.ogx.0000557738.46753.6a.

Liang, R., Knight, K., Barone, W., Powers, R.W., Nolfi, A., Palcsey, S., Abramowitch, S., & Moalli, P.A. (2017). Extracellular matrix regenerative graft attenuates the negative impact of polypropylene prolapse mesh on vagina in rhesus macaque. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 216(2), 153.e1-153.e9.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2016.09.073.

Liang, R., Knight, K., Barone, W., Powers, R.W., Nolfi, A., Palcsey, S., Abramowitch, S., & Moalli, P.A. (2017). Extracellular Matrix Regenerative Graft Attenuates the Negative Impact of Polypropylene Prolapse Mesh on Vagina in Rhesus Macaque. OBSTETRICAL & GYNECOLOGICAL SURVEY, 72(5), 277-278.Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1097/01.ogx.0000515906.95324.21.

Liang, R., Knight, K., Easley, D., Palcsey, S., Abramowitch, S., & Moalli, P.A. (2017). Towards rebuilding vaginal support utilizing an extracellular matrix bioscaffold. Acta Biomater, 57, 324-333.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.05.015.

Jallah, Z., Liang, R., Feola, A., Barone, W., Palcsey, S., Abramowitch, S.D., Yoshimura, N., & Moalli, P. (2016). The impact of prolapse mesh on vaginal smooth muscle structure and function. BJOG, 123(7), 1076-1085.Wiley. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.13514.

Liang, R., Knight, K., Abramowitch, S., & Moalli, P.A. (2016). Exploring the basic science of prolapse meshes. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol, 28(5), 413-419.Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1097/GCO.0000000000000313.

Liang, R., Knight, K., Nolfi, A., Abramowitch, S., & Moalli, P.A. (2016). Differential effects of selective estrogen receptor modulators on the vagina and its supportive tissues. Menopause, 23(2), 129-137.Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000502.

Nolfi, A.L., Brown, B.N., Liang, R., Palcsey, S.L., Bonidie, M.J., Abramowitch, S.D., & Moalli, P.A. (2016). Host response to synthetic mesh in women with mesh complications. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 215(2), 206.e1-206.e8.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2016.04.008.

Brown, B.N., Mani, D., Nolfi, A.L., Liang, R., Abramowitch, S.D., & Moalli, P.A. (2015). Characterization of the host inflammatory response following implantation of prolapse mesh in rhesus macaque. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 213(5), 668.e1-668.10.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.08.002.

Liang, R., Yang, G., Kim, K.E., D'Amore, A., Pickering, A.N., Zhang, C., & Woo, S.L.Y. (2015). Positive effects of an extracellular matrix hydrogel on rat anterior cruciate ligament fibroblast proliferation and collagen mRNA expression. J Orthop Translat, 3(3), 114-122.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jot.2015.05.001.

Liang, R., Zong, W., Palcsey, S., Abramowitch, S., & Moalli, P.A. (2015). Impact of Prolapse Meshes on the Metabolism of Vaginal Extracellular Matrix in Rhesus Macaque. OBSTETRICAL & GYNECOLOGICAL SURVEY, 70(6), 385-387.Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1097/OGX.0000000000000200.

Liang, R., Zong, W., Palcsey, S., Abramowitch, S., & Moalli, P.A. (2015). Impact of prolapse meshes on the metabolism of vaginal extracellular matrix in rhesus macaque. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 212(2), 174.e1-174.e7.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2014.08.008.

Liang, R., Abramowitch, S., Knight, K., Palcsey, S., Nolfi, A., Feola, A., Stein, S., & Moalli, P.A. (2013). Vaginal degeneration following implantation of synthetic mesh with increased stiffness. BJOG, 120(2), 233-243.Wiley. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.12085.

Fisher, M.B., Liang, R., Jung, H.J., Kim, K.E., Zamarra, G., Almarza, A.J., McMahon, P.J., & Woo, S.L.Y. (2012). Potential of healing a transected anterior cruciate ligament with genetically modified extracellular matrix bioscaffolds in a goat model. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc, 20(7), 1357-1365.Wiley. doi: 10.1007/s00167-011-1800-x.

Liang, R., Fisher, M., Yang, G., Hall, C., & Woo, S.L.Y. (2011). Alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout does not alter the properties of porcine extracellular matrix bioscaffolds. Acta Biomater, 7(4), 1719-1727.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2011.01.001.

Woo, S.L.Y., Almarza, A.J., Karaoglu, S., Liang, R., & Fisher, M.B. (2011). Functional Tissue Engineering of Ligament and Tendon Injuries. In Principles of Regenerative Medicine. (pp. 997-1021).Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-381422-7.10054-9.

Hsu, S.L., Liang, R., & Woo, S.L. (2010). Functional tissue engineering of ligament healing. Sports Med Arthrosc Rehabil Ther Technol, 2, (p. 12).England. doi: 10.1186/1758-2555-2-12.

Nguyen, T.D., Liang, R., Woo, S.L.Y., Burton, S.D., Wu, C., Almarza, A., Sacks, M.S., & Abramowitch, S. (2009). Effects of cell seeding and cyclic stretch on the fiber remodeling in an extracellular matrix-derived bioscaffold. Tissue Eng Part A, 15(4), 957-963.Mary Ann Liebert. doi: 10.1089/ten.tea.2007.0384.

Woo, S.L.Y., Liang, R., & Fisher, M.B. (2009). Future of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine and Soft Tissue Healing: The Important Role of Engineering. CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOENGINEERING, 2(3), 448-461.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/s12195-009-0065-7.

Karaoglu, S., B Fisher, M., Woo, S.L.Y., Fu, Y.C., Liang, R., & Abramowitch, S.D. (2008). Use of a bioscaffold to improve healing of a patellar tendon defect after graft harvest for ACL reconstruction: A study in rabbits. J Orthop Res, 26(2), 255-263.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/jor.20471.

Liang, R., Woo, S.L.Y., Nguyen, T.D., Liu, P.C., & Almarza, A. (2008). Effects of a bioscaffold on collagen fibrillogenesis in healing medial collateral ligament in rabbits. J Orthop Res, 26(8), 1098-1104.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/jor.20616.

Liang, R., Woo, S.L.Y., Takakura, Y., Moon, D.K., Jia, F., & Abramowitch, S.D. (2006). Long-term effects of porcine small intestine submucosa on the healing of medial collateral ligament: a functional tissue engineering study. J Orthop Res, 24(4), 811-819.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/jor.20080.

Woo, S.L.Y. (2006). Functional tissue engineering of ligaments and tendons. CYTOTHERAPY, 8, (p. 13).Springer Nature. doi: 10.1186/1758-2555-2-12.

Woo, S.L.Y., Abramowitch, S.D., Kilger, R., & Liang, R. (2006). Biomechanics of knee ligaments: injury, healing, and repair. J Biomech, 39(1), 1-20.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2004.10.025.

Woo, S.L.Y., Takakura, Y., Liang, R., Jia, F., & Moon, D.K. (2006). Treatment with bioscaffold enhances the the fibril morphology and the collagen composition of healing medial collateral ligament in rabbits. Tissue Eng, 12(1), 159-166.Mary Ann Liebert. doi: 10.1089/ten.2006.12.159.

Liang, R. (2022). Diabetes induces atypical M2 macrophages with increased proinflammatory activities at mesh-implanted vagina. In INTERNATIONAL UROGYNECOLOGY JOURNAL, 33(SUPPL 1), (p. S111).

Liang, R., & Moalli, P. (2022). Macrophage Transcriptomics in Response to a Vaginal Mesh: Normoglycemic vs. Hyperglycemic Conditions. In INTERNATIONAL UROGYNECOLOGY JOURNAL, 33(SUPPL 2), (p. S302).

Liang, R., Fisk, A., King, G., & Moalli, P. (2022). Host Response to a Urogynecologic Mesh: A Time-course Study. In INTERNATIONAL UROGYNECOLOGY JOURNAL, 33(SUPPL 2), (p. S306).

Liang, R., Fisk, A., King, G., Abramowitch, S., & Moalli, P. (2022). In-depth analysis of host response to urogynecologic mesh: A comparison between normoglycemic and hyperglycemic conditions. In INTERNATIONAL UROGYNECOLOGY JOURNAL, 33(SUPPL 1), (p. S54).

Artsen, A.M., Liang, R., Abramowitch, S.D., & Moalli, P.A. (2020). Urogynecologic Mesh Complications: Low FGF Suggests Impaired Wound Healing. In REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES, 27(SUPPL 1), (p. 65A).

Shapiro, K., Knight, K., Liang, R., Palscey, S., Knight, G., Abramowitch, S., & Moalli, P. (2020). Comparison of the impact of two single incision slings. In NEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, 39, (p. S42).

Artsen, A.M., Liang, R., Meyn, L., Abramowitch, S.D., & Moalli, P.A. (2019). UROGYNECOLOGIC MESH COMPLICATIONS: ELEVATED PDGF SUGGESTS THE IMPORTANCE OF FIBROBLASTS. In INTERNATIONAL UROGYNECOLOGY JOURNAL, 30, (p. S131).

Artsen, A.M., Liang, R., Rytel, M., Meyn, L., Pace, N.M., Abramowitch, S.D., & Moalli, P.A. (2019). AUGS/IUGA Scientific Meeting : Abstracts of Video Presentations, IUGA 44th Annual Meeting - Nashville, TN, USA, September 24-28, 2019. In Int Urogynecol J, 30(Suppl 1), (pp. 197-199).Springer Nature.England. doi: 10.1007/s00192-019-04114-5.

Liang, R., Palcsey, S.L., King, G.E., Abramowitch, S.D., & Moalli, P.A. (2019). PROLAPSE MESH PORE GEOMETRY: IMPACT ON THE HOST RESPONSE. In INTERNATIONAL UROGYNECOLOGY JOURNAL, 30, (pp. S80-S81).

Shapiro, K.K., Knight, K.M., Liang, R., Palcsey, S.L., King, G.E., Abramowitch, S.D., & Moalli, P.A. (2019). COMPARISON OF THE IMPACT OF TWO SINGLE INCISION SLINGS ON THE VAGINA. In INTERNATIONAL UROGYNECOLOGY JOURNAL, 30, (pp. S171-S172).

Tennyson, L.E., Palcsey, S., Liang, R., Abramowitch, S., & Moalli, P. (2017). FIBROTIC RESPONSE TO SYNTHETIC MIDURETHRAL SLING MESH IN WOMEN WITH COMPLICATIONS. In NEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, 36, (p. S30).

Liang, R., Fawcett, M., Shaffer, R.M., Palcsey, S.L., & Moalli, P. (2014). IMPACT OF AGING ON VAGINAL SMOOTH MUSCLE: A MORPHOMETRIC STUDY. In INTERNATIONAL UROGYNECOLOGY JOURNAL, 25, (pp. S217-S218).

Liang, R., Knight, K., Nolfi, A.L., Abramowitch, S., & Moalli, P. (2014). EFFECTS OF SELECTIVE ESTROGEN RECEPTOR MODULATORS ON PELVIC FLOOR SUPPORTIVE TISSUE. In INTERNATIONAL UROGYNECOLOGY JOURNAL, 25, (pp. S96-S97).

Shaffer, R.M., Liang, R., & Moalli, P.A. (2014). NEGATIVE IMPACT OF POLYPROPYLENE MESH ON VAGINAL SMOOTH MUSCLE MYOCYTES IS REDUCED WITH COMPOSITE MESH CONTAINING REGENERATIVE EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX. In INTERNATIONAL UROGYNECOLOGY JOURNAL, 25, (pp. S34-S35).

Fisher, M.B., Jung, H.J., Liang, R., Kim, K., McMahon, P.J., & Woo, S.L.Y. (2010). Use of Extracellular Matrix Bioscaffolds to Enhance ACL Healing: A Multidisciplinary Approach in a Goat Model. In ASME 2010 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Parts A and B, (PARTS A AND B), (pp. 47-48).ASME International. doi: 10.1115/sbc2010-19559.

Liang, R., Nguyen, T., & Woo, S.L.Y. (2008). A bioscaffold enhances the fibrillogenesis in healing medial collateral ligament. In TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, 14(5), (p. 800).

Abramowitch, S.D., Fu, Y.C., Liang, R., & Woo, S.L.Y. (2006). Functional Tissue Engineering of Patellar Tendon Healing: A Histological and Biomechanical Assessment. In MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, 38(5), (pp. 71-72).Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1249/00005768-200605001-00729.