Svenja Illien-Junger
- Department of Orthopaedics
Assistant Professor
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Emory University School of Medicine
Orthopaedics
21 Ortho Lane
Overview
Our program focuses on intervertebral disc biology. Specifically, our emphasis lays on two directions: First, to explore the roles of nutrition on disc degeneration and repair. Second, to assess the molecular pathways that regulate intervertebral disc cellularity in aging and injury related disc degeneration. Utilizing dietary and transgenic mouse models, intervertebral disc organ cultures, and human intervertebral disc cell cultures, our goal is to shed light into the interplay of diet and disc degeneration, and to identify druggable targets to maintain intervertebral disc health during aging and to promote intervertebral disc healing after injury.
Academic Appointment
- Assistant Professor, Orthopaedics, Emory University
Education
Degrees
- PhD from The Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Bern
Research
Publications
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Differential efficacy of two small molecule PHLPP inhibitors to promote nucleus Pulposus cell health.
JOR Spine Volume: 7 Page(s): e1306
03/01/2024 Authors: Zhang C; Gordon MD; Joseph KM; Diaz-Hernandez ME; Drissi H; Illien-Jnger S -
Harmonization and standardization of nucleus pulposus cell extraction and culture methods.
JOR Spine Volume: 6 Page(s): e1238
03/01/2023 Authors: Basatvat S; Bach FC; Barcellona MN; Binch AL; Buckley CT; Bueno B; Chahine NO; Chee A; Creemers LB; Dudli S -
Novel Injectable Fluorescent Polymeric Nanocarriers for Intervertebral Disc Application.
J Funct Biomater Volume: 14
01/17/2023 Authors: Arul MR; Zhang C; Alahmadi I; Moss IL; Banasavadi-Siddegowda YK; Abdulmalik S; Illien-Junger S; Kumbar SG -
PHLPP1 deficiency protects against age-related intervertebral disc degeneration.
JOR Spine Volume: 5 Page(s): e1224
12/01/2022 Authors: Zhang C; Joseph KM; Khan NM; Diaz-Hernandez ME; Drissi H; Illien-Junger S -
High fat diet causes inferior vertebral structure and function without disc degeneration in RAGE-KO mice.
J Orthop Res Volume: 40 Page(s): 1672 - 1686
07/01/2022 Authors: D'Erminio DN; Krishnamoorthy D; Lai A; Hoy RC; Natelson DM; Poeran J; Torres A; Laudier DM; Nasser P; Vashishth D -
Mechanisms and clinical implications of intervertebral disc calcification.
Nat Rev Rheumatol Volume: 18 Page(s): 352 - 362
06/01/2022 Authors: Zehra U; Tryfonidou M; Iatridis JC; Illien-Jnger S; Mwale F; Samartzis D -
Development of a standardized histopathology scoring system for human intervertebral disc degeneration: an Orthopaedic Research Society Spine Section Initiative.
JOR Spine Volume: 4 Page(s): e1167
06/01/2021 Authors: Le Maitre CL; Dahia CL; Giers M; Illien-Junger S; Cicione C; Samartzis D; Vadala G; Fields A; Lotz J -
The Application of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Their Homing Capabilities to Regenerate the Intervertebral Disc.
Int J Mol Sci Volume: 22
03/29/2021 Authors: Croft AS; Illien-Jnger S; Grad S; Guerrero J; Wangler S; Gantenbein B -
Advanced glycation end products cause RAGE-dependent annulus fibrosus collagen disruption and loss identified using in situ second harmonic generation imaging in mice intervertebral disk in vivo and in organ culture models.
JOR Spine Volume: 3 Page(s): e1126
12/01/2020 Authors: Hoy RC; D'Erminio DN; Krishnamoorthy D; Natelson DM; Laudier DM; Illien-Jnger S; Iatridis JC -
Leptin signaling and the intervertebral disc: Sex dependent effects of leptin receptor deficiency and Western diet on the spine in a type 2 diabetes mouse model.
PLoS One Volume: 15 Page(s): e0227527
01/01/2020 Authors: Natelson DM; Lai A; Krishnamoorthy D; Hoy RC; Iatridis JC; Illien-Jnger S