Yuanli Chen, Ph.D.
Current Titles and Affiliations:
Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Biology;
Director, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Metabolic and Nutritional Regulation of Major Diseases (HFUT)
Director, Anhui Provincial International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Metabolic Diseases and Nutritional Intervention
Education
2005-2009 B.S., College of life sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin,
China
2009-2014 Ph.D., Cardiovascular Biology, College of life sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
Mentor: Jihong Han, Ph.D.
Professional Research Experience
2016.06-2016.09: Visiting Scholar, Children’s Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, WI, USA
2015.12-present: Associate Professor, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
2014.07-2015.12: Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
Research Interests
Our laboratory is dedicated to understanding the mechanisms of atherosclerotic plaque progression and vascular calcification, aiming to identify new targets, mechanisms, and methods to prevent acute cardiovascular events. Our research interests span from fundamental molecular pathways to drug discovery, with a primary focus on addressing the residual cardiovascular risk despite current lipid-lowering therapies.
Peer-reviewed Publications: (#: co-first author; *: Corresponding author)
Yifei Ye, Yinni Chen, Yiyang Cao, Tongzhan Liu, Yu Hu, Xi Chen, Xiangnuo Han, Shu Yang, Shun Li*, Yuanli Chen*, Meixiu Jiang*. Ganoderic Acid A alleviates ulcerative colitis by inhibiting the interleukin17 signaling pathway via targeting retinoic acid-related orphan receptor alpha. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2026; 361: 121297.
Wenya Zhu#, Shu Yang#, Ziyi Chen, Xiaoxiao Yang, Zhen Liang*, Yuanli Chen*. Vascular calcification: mechanisms, models, and therapies. iNew Medicine. 2026. DOI: 10.1002/inm3.70035. (Review)
Zhen Liang#, Jiaqing Xiang#, Guangyan Yang#, Xiaomai Liu, Lixing Li, Yanchun Li, Yan Lu, Lin Kang*, Yuanli Chen*, Chuanrui Ma*, Shu Yang*. Energy-sensing molecule RORγ regulates Cholesterol Metabolism and Immune Signaling in Diabetic Kidney Disease and Aging. Nature Communications. 2026; 17: 2906.
Mengmeng Zhu#, Wenya Zhu#, Jianyuan Pan#, Yali Yan, Shengnan Wang, Tingting Zhang, Xiaoxiao Yang, Xiangyong Kong, Hao Hu, Suowen Xu, Xia Zhang, Buchun Zhang, Chenzhong Liao*, Yajun Duan*, Shu Yang*, Yuanli Chen*. Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Promotes Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Contractile Polarization via p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase-promoted Serum Response Factor Phosphorylation. Research. 2025; 8: Article 0815.
Shu Yang#, Heming Huang#, Kewei Jiang#, Ying Peng, Zhen Liang, Xinyu Gong, Lixing Li, Yanchun Li, Buchun Zhang*, Yuanli Chen*, Xiaoxiao Yang*. Colchicine inhibits vascular calcification by suppression inflammasome activation through the enhancement of the Sirt2-PP2Ac signaling pathway. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2025, 110381.
Guangyan Yang#, Chuanrui Ma#, Yuanli Chen#, Jiaqing Xiang, Lixing Li, Yanchun Li, Lin Kang*, Zhen Liang*, Shu Yang*. HSPA8 dampens SCAP/INSIG split and SREBP activation by reducing PKR-mediated INSIG phosphorylation. Cell Reports. 2025; 44(3): 115339.
Bu-chun Zhang#, Wen-ya Zhu#, Sheng-nan Wang#, Meng-meng Zhu, Hui Ma, Liang Dong, Xiao-xiao Yang*, Chuan-rui Ma*, Li-kun Ma*, Yuan-li Chen*. Colchicine reduces neointima formation and VSMC phenotype transition by modulating SRF-MYOCD activation and autophagy. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica. 2025; 46: 951-963.
Tingting Zhang, Mengmeng Zhu, Jialing Ma, Zhenghong Liu, Zhidan Zhang, Meijie Chen, Yaping Zhao, Huaxin Li, Shengnan Wang, Xiaoning Wei, Wenwen Zhang, Xiaoxiao Yang, Peter J. Little, Danielle Kamato, Hao Hu, Yajun Duan, Baotong Zhang, Jianbo Xiao, Suowen Xu*, Yuanli Chen*. Moscatilin inhibits vascular calcification by activating IL13RA2-dependent inhibition of STAT3 and attenuating WNT3/-catenin signaling pathway. Journal of Advanced Research. 2025; 68: 445-457. ESI highly cited。
Wenya Zhu#, Jialing Ma#, Tingting Zhang, Mengmeng Zhu, Yajun Duan, Xiaoxiao Yang, Yuanli Chen*. Reversed role of CD36 deficiency in high-fat diet or methionine/choline-deficient diet-induced hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2025; 16:1522177.
Chao Xue, Peng Zeng, Ke Gong, Qian Li, Zian Feng, Mengyao Wang, Shasha Chen, Yanfang Yang, Jiaqi Li, Shuang Zhang, Zequn Yin, Yingquan Liang, Tengteng Yan, Miao Yu, Ke Feng, Dan Zhao, Xiaoxiao Yang, Xia Zhang, Likun Ma, Yasuko Iwakiri, Liang Chen, Xiaoqiang Tang, Yuanli Chen*, Houzao Chen*, Yajun Duan*. Nogo-B inhibition facilitates cholesterol metabolism to reduce hypercholesterolemia. Cell Reports. 2024; 43(9): 114691.
Yun Zhao#, Guobin Zheng#, Shu Yang#, Shangjing Liu, Yifan Wu, Yaodong Miao, Zhen Liang, Yunqing Hua, Jing Zhang, Jia Shi, Dan Li, Yanfei Cheng, Yunsha Zhang, Yuanli Chen*, Guanwei Fan*, Chuanrui Ma*. PNS mitigates atherosclerosis via promoting Nrf2-mediated inhibition of ferroptosis through reducing USP2-mediated Keap1 deubiquitination. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2024; 181(23): 4822-4844. Wiley China Excellent Author Program.
Zhiwei Meng#, Shengnan Wang#, Fangrong Chen, Zhenzhen Zhang, Yajing Zhang, Zejun Yin, Yajun Duan, Nan Zheng, Qin Wang, Chenzhong Liao*, Yuanli Chen*, Zhouling Xie*. Discovery of Highly Selective, Potent, Covalent, and Orally Bioavailable Factor XIIa Inhibitors for the Treatment of Thrombo-inflammation. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 2024; 67(13): 10946-10966.
Tianxiang Wang#, Min Zhang#, Xinyu Gong, Wanjing Chen, Ying Peng, Chenzhong Liao, Hongmei Xu, Qingshan Li, Guodong Shen, Huirong Ren, Yaxin Zhu, Baotong Zhang, Jiali Mao, Lingling Wei*, Yuanli Chen*, and Xiaoxiao Yang*. Inhibition of Nogo-B reduces the progression of pancreatic cancer by regulation NF-kB/GLUT1 and SREBP1 pathways. iScience. 2024;27(5):109741.
Hui Liu#, Wentong Guo#, Tianxiang Wang, Peichang Cao, Tingfeng Zou, Ying Peng, Tengteng Yan, Chenzhong Liao, Qingshan Li, Yajun Duan, Jihong Han, Baotong Zhang, Yuanli Chen*, Dahai Zhao*, Xiaoxiao Yang*. CD36 inhibition reduces non-small-cell lung cancer development through AKT-mTOR pathway. Cell Biology and Toxicology. 2024; 40: 10.
Xia Zhang#, Mengmeng Zhu#, Peng Zeng, Mingxiu Guan, Hongyu Zhang, Shaohua Duan, Heli Huang, Yulian Liu, Hongliang Cong*, Yuanli Chen*. Identification of circulating microRNA-126-3p as a new biomarker for coronary artery calcification. SAGE Open Med. 2024; 12:20503121241272646.
Xiaoning Wei#, Zhenbao Shen#, Mengmeng Zhu#, Mengyuan Fang, Shengnan Wang, Tingting Zhang, Baotong Zhang, Xiaoxiao Yang, Zhilin Lv, Yajun Duan, Meixiu Jiang, Chuanrui Ma*, Qingshan Li*, Yuanli Chen*. The pterostilbene-dihydropyrazole derivative Ptd-1 ameliorates vascular calcification by regulating inflammation. International Immunopharmacology. 2023; 125: 111198.
Mengmeng Zhu*, Qian Zhao*, Wenwen Zhang, Hongmei Xu, Baotong Zhang, Shuang Zhang, Yajun Duan, Chenzhong Liao*, Xiaoxiao Yang*, Yuanli Chen*. Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inhibits the development of triple negative breast cancer by enhancing antitumor immunity. International Immunopharmacology. 2023; 125: 111168.
Juan Zheng, Shengnan Wang, Tingting Zhang, Huaxin Li, Mengmeng Zhu, Xiaoning Wei, Yu Ge, Xiaoxiao Yang, Shuang Zhang, Hongmei Xu, Yajun Duan, Lipei Liu, Yuanli Chen*. Nogo-B inhibition restricts ulcerative colitis via inhibiting p68/miR-155 signaling pathway. International Immunopharmacology. 2023; 120: 110378.
Xiao-Kang Zhao, Meng-Meng Zhu, Sheng-Nan Wang, Ting-Ting Zhang, Xiao-Ning Wei, Cheng-Yi Wang, Juan Zheng, Wen-Ya Zhu, Mei-Xiu Jiang, Suo-Wen Xu, Xiao-Xiao Yang, Ya-Jun Duan, Bu-Chun Zhang, Ji-Hong Han, Qing R Miao, Hao Hu*, Yuanli Chen*. Transcription factor 21 accelerates vascular calcification in mice by activating the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway and the interplay between VSMCs and ECs. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica. 2023;44(8): 1625-1636. ESI highly cited, 2025 APS Good Contribution Awards.
Xiao-Yu He#, Meng-Meng Zhu#, Juan Zheng, Cheng-Yi Wang, Xiao-Kang Zhao, Bao-Tong Zhang, Da-Chen Zhou, Shuang Zhang, Xiao-Xiao Yang, Ya-Jun Duan, Ji-Hong Han*, YuanLi Chen*. Liver X receptor agonists exert their anti-tumor effects by inducing REPS2 expression. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica. 2023;44: 635–646.
Yuanli Chen#, Shu Yang#, Lipei Liu, Xiaoxiao Yang, Yajun Duan, Shuang Zhang*, Jihong Han*. A novel therapy for hepatic cholestasis treatment—the combination of rosiglitazone and fenofibrate. European Journal of Pharmacology. 2023;938:175428.
Jialing Ma, Peng Zeng, Lipei Liu, Mengmeng Zhu, Juan Zheng, Chengyi Wang, Xiaokang Zhao, Wenquan Hu, Xiaoxiao Yang, Yajun Duan, Jihong Han, Qing R Miao, Yuanli Chen*. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma reduces ER stress and inflammation via targeting NGBR expression. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2022;12:817784.
Yuanli Chen#,*, Jiamin Su#, Yali Yan#, Qian Zhao, Jialing Ma, Mengmeng Zhu, Xiaoyu He, Baotong Zhang, Hongmei Xu, Xiaoxiao Yang, Yajun Duan, Jihong Han. The intermittent fasting inhibits high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis by ameliorating hypercholesterolemia and reducing monocyte chemoattraction. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2021;12:719750.
Chuanrui Ma#, Ke Feng#, Xiaoxiao Yang, Zhimou Yang, Zhongyan Wang, Yuna Shang, Guanwei Fan, Lipei Liu, Shu Yang, Xiaoju Li, Jihong Han, Yajun Duan*, Yuanli Chen*. Targeting macrophage liver X receptor by hydrogel-encapsulated T0901317 reduces atherosclerosis without effect on hepatic lipogenesis. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2021;178:1620-1638.
Ke Feng#, Chuanrui Ma#, Yuxin Liu, Xiaoxiao Yang, Zhimou Yang, Yaoxia Chen, Tengyan Xu, Chengbiao Yang, Shuang Zhang, Qi Li, Zhuo Wei, Dan Zhao, Peng Zeng, Jihong Han, Jie Gao*, Yuanli Chen*, Yajun Duan*. Encapsulation of LXR ligand by D-Nap-GFFY hydrogel enhances anti-tumorigenic actions of LXR and removes LXR-induced lipogenesis. Theranostics. 2021;11(6):2634-2654.
Peng Zeng#, Jie Yang#, Lipei Liu, Xiaoxiao Yang, Zhi Yao, Chuanrui Ma, Haibo Zhu, Jiamin Su, Qian Zhao, Ke Feng, Shu Yang, Yan Zhu, Xiaoju Li, Wenguang Wang, Yajun Duan, Jihong Han*, Yuanli Chen*. ERK1/2 inhibition reduces vascular calcification by activating miR-126-3p-DKK1/LRP6 pathway. Theranostics. 2021;11(3):1129-1146.
Shuang Zhang, Fangling Guo, Miao Yu, Xiaoxiao Yang, Zhi Yao, Qi Li, Zhuo Wei, Ke Feng, Peng Zeng, Dan Zhao, Xiaoju Li, Yan Zhu, Qing Robert Miao, Yasuko Iwakiri, Yuanli Chen*, Jihong Han*, Yajun Duan*. Reduced Nogo expression inhibits diet-induced metabolic disorders by regulating ChREBP and insulin activity. Journal of Hepatology. 2020;73(6):1482-1495.
Jie Yang#, Peng Zeng#, Lipei Liu, Miao Yu, Jiamin Su, Yali Yan, Jialing Ma, Wenquan Hu, Xiaoxiao Yang, Jihong Han, Yajun Duan*, Yuanli Chen*. Food with calorie restriction reduces the development of atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient mice. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 2020; 524: 439-445.
Jie Yang, Lipei Liu, Xiaoxiao Yang, Yajun Duan, Peng Zeng, Shu Yang, Chuanrui Ma, Xiaoju Li, Jihong Han, Yuanli Chen*. Combination of MEK1/2 inhibitor and LXR ligand synergistically inhibit atherosclerosis in LDLR deficient mice. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 2020; 522: 512-517.
Miao Yu#, Shuang Zhang#, Fangling Guo, Xiaoxiao Yang, Qi Li, Zhuo Wei, Jihong Han, Yajun Duan*, Yuanli Chen*. Identification of Nogo-B as a new molecular target of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. Cellular Signalling. 2020; 65: 109429.
Yu Liang#, Hao Han#, Lipei Liu#, Yajun Duan, Xiaoxiao Yang, Chuanrui Ma, Yan Zhu, Jihong Han, Xiaoju Li*, Yuanli Chen*. CD36 plays a critical role in proliferation, migration and tamoxifen-inhibited growth of ER-positive breast cancer cells. Oncogenesis. 2018;7:98.
Hao Han, Shu Yang, Yu Liang, Peng Zeng, Lipei Liu, Xiaoxiao Yang, Yajun Duan, Jihong Han, Yuanli Chen*. Teniposide regulates the phenotype switching of vascular smooth muscle cells in a miR-21-dependent manner. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 2018;506:1040-1046.
Lipei Liu, Peng Zeng, Xiaoxiao Yang, Yajun Duan, Wenwen Zhang, Chuanrui Ma, Xiaomeng Zhang, Shu Yang, Xiaoju Li, Jie Yang, Yu Liang, Hao Han, Yan Zhu, Jihong Han*, Yuanli Chen*. Inhibition of vascular calcification: A new antiatherogenic mechanism of Topo II (DNA topoisomerase II) inhibitors. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. 2018;38:2382-2395.
Chuanrui Ma, Wenwen Zhang, Xiaoxiao Yang, Ying Liu, Lipei Liu, Ke Feng, Xiaomeng Zhang, Shu Yang, Lei Sun, Miao Yu, Jie Yang, Xiaoju Li, Wenquan Hu, Robert Q Miao, Yan Zhu, Luyuan Li, Jihong Han*, Yuanli Chen*, Yajun Duan*. Functional interplay between LXR and AMPK inhibits atherosclerosis in apoE deficient mice-A new anti-atherogenic strategy. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2018;175(9):1486-1503.
Wenwen Zhang#, Xiaoxiao Yang#, Yuanli Chen#, Wenquan Hu, Lipei Liu, Xiaomeng Zhang, Mengyang Liu, Lei Sun, Ying Liu, Miao Yu, Xiaoju Li, Luyuan Li, Yan Zhu, Qing Robert Miao*, Jihong Han*, Yajun Duan*. Activation of hepatic Nogo-B receptor expression—A new anti-liver steatosis mechanism of statins. BBA -Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids. 2018;1863(2):177-190.
Ling Zhang#, Yuanli Chen#, Xiaoxiao Yang, Jie Yang, Xingyue Cao, Xiaoju Li, Luyuan Li, Qing Robert Miao, David P Hajjar, Yajun Duan*, Jihong Han*. MEK1/2 inhibitors activate macrophage ABCG1 expression and reverse cholesterol transport—an anti-atherogenic function of ERK1/2 inhibition. BBA - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids. 2016;1861:1180-1191.
Xiaoxiao Yang#, Wenwen Zhang#, Yuanli Chen#, Yan Li, Lei Sun, Ying Liu, Mengyang Liu, Miao Yu, Xiaoju Li, Jihong Han*, Yajun Duan*. Activation of PPAR and CD36 expression--the dual pathophysiological roles of progesterone. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2016;291:15108-18.
Xiaoju Li, Xingyue Cao, Xiaomeng Zhang, Yanhua Kang, Wenwen Zhang, Miao Yu, Chuanrui Ma, Jihong Han, Yajun Duan*, Yuanli Chen*. MEK1/2 inhibitors induce interleukin-5 expression in mouse macrophages and lymphocytes. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 2016;473:939-46.
Mengyang Liu#, Wenwen Zhang#, Xiaoju Li, Jihong Han, Yuanli Chen*, Yajun Duan*. Impact of age and sex on the development of atherosclerosis and expression of the related genes in apoE deficient mice. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 2016;469:456-462.
Xiaoxiao Yang#, Lei Sun#, Yan Li, Chuanrui Ma, Jie Yang, Wenwen Zhang, Buchang Zhao, Lifu Jia, Yajun Duan, Jihong Han, Xiaoju Li*, Yuanli Chen*. NaoXinTong inhibits the advanced atherosclerosis and enhances the plaque stability in apoE deficient mice. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 2016;67:203-211.
Wenwen Zhang, Xue Wang, Wenquan Hu, Lipei Liu, Xiaoju Li, Jihong Han, Yuanli Chen*, Yajun Duan*. Co-treatment of pitavastatin and dexamethasone exacerbates the high fat diet-induced atherosclerosis in apoE-/- mice. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology. 2015;66:189-95.
Yuanli Chen#, Yajun Duan#, Xiaoxiao Yang, Lei Sun, Mengyang Liu, Qixue Wang, Xingzhe Ma, Wenwen Zhang, Xiaoju Li, Wenquan Hu, Robert Q Miao, Rong Xiang, David P Hajjar, Jihong Han*. Inhibition of ERK1/2 and activation of LXR synergistically reduce atherosclerotic lesions in apoE deficient mice. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology 2015;35:948-959.
Yuanli Chen#, Mengyang Liu#, Tao Zhao, Buchang Zhao, Lifu Jia, Yan Zhu, Boli Zhang, Xiumei Gao, Guangliang Li, Xiaoju Li, Rong Xiang, Jihong Han, Yajun Duan. Danhong Injection inhibits the development of atherosclerosis in both Apoe-/- and Ldlr-/- mice. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology 2014;63:441–452.
Mengyang Liu#, Yuanli Chen#, Xiaoxiao Yang, Ling Zhang, Tao Zhao, Buchang Zhao, Lifu Jia, Yan Zhu, Xiumei Gao, Boli Zhang, Xiaoju Li, Jihong Han, Yajun Duan*. Danhong injection inhibits the development of primary abdominal aortic aneurysms in apoE knockout mice. Chinese Science Bulletin 2014;59:1366-1373.
Yuanli Chen, Yajun Duan*, Yanhua Kang, Xiaoxiao Yang, Meixiu Jiang, Ling Zhang, Guangliang Li, Zhinan Yin, Wenquan Hu, Pengzhi Dong, Xiaoju Li, David P Hajjar, Jihong Han*. Activation of liver X receptor induces macrophage interleukin-5 expression. Journal of Biological Chemistry 2012;287:43340-50.
Yajun Duan#, Yuanli Chen#, Wenquan Hu, Xiaoju Li, Xiaoxiao Yang, Xin Zhou, Zhinan Yin, Deling Kong, Zhi Yao, David P Hajjar, Lin Liu, Qiang Liu, Jihong Han*. Peroxisome Proliferator-activated receptor activation by ligands and dephosphorylation induces proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 and low density lipoprotein receptor expression. Journal of Biological Chemistry 2012;287:23667-77.
