Prof HUANG Yu - School of Biomedical Sciences, CUHK

Prof HUANG Yu

B.Sc. (Fudan University Shanghai Medical School, China); M.Phil., Ph.D. (University of Cambridge, UK)

yu-huang@cuhk.edu.hk

Publons

ORCID

HUANG Yu (黃聿) is the Professor of Biomedical Sciences (August 2010-September 2021) and the founding Director (Basic Sciences) of Heart and Vascular Institute (2007-2021), CUHK. He was the past President of Asian Society for Vascular Biology (2010-2018) and the past Vice-President for Chinese Society for Vascular Medicine (2015-2021). He is currently the Vice-President for the Chinese Section of International Society for Heart Research (2016-). and the Vice-President of the Chinese Association for Physiological Sciences (中國生理學會副理事長, (2022). He is also the member of the Scientific Committee, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease (心血管疾病國家重點實驗室學術委員會委員), and the member of the Committee of Experts on National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases (中國國家心血管專家委員會委員). He is the elected Fellow of the International Society for Heart Research (國際心臟研究學會), (2019) and the Fellow of International Union of Physiological Sciences Academy of Physiology (國際生理學聯盟生理學院, 2023). He received the Inaugural Hong Kong Research Grants Council – Senior Research Fellow Award (首屆香港研究資助局高級研究學者獎, 2020).

Huang Yu serves as the Grant Review Panel Member for Hong Kong Research Grants Council, Hong Kong Government’s Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF), Natural Science Foundation of China, Hong Kong Government’s Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF), and The University of Macau Multi-Year Research Grant. He has so far served (past and present) as the editor, guest editor, associate editor, and editorial board member for 18 SCI-indexed journals including British Journal of Pharmacology (editor) and Circulation Research (associate editor). He has reviewed grant proposals for 37 granting agencies of 11 countries and regions. He is also the visiting, guest, or adjunct professor of 12 universities and institutes including Fudan University Shanghai Medical School, University of Technology and Science of China, Macau University, University of Malaya.

The research focus of Huang’s team is to elucidate cellular and molecular events in initiation and progression of endothelial cell dysfunction in hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, to uncover novel biomarkers for vascular pathogenesis, and to develop venues to reverse vascular dysfunction in animal models of cardio-metabolic disorders. He has co-authored 490 peer-reviewed publications in SCI-indexed journals including Nature, Science, Cell Metabolism, Circulation Research, European Heart Journal, PNAS, Diabetes, Hypertension, ATVB, Stroke with 32461 Google scholar citations (H-index of 93).

Huang Yu received the Outstanding Contribution Award from Chinese Society for Vascular Medicine(中國病理生理學會血管醫學專業委員會傑出貢獻獎 2021); 2020 Wuxi PharmaTech Life Science and Chemistry Award – The Scholar Award (2020年度藥明康德生命化學研究獎學者獎); Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Award (first-class award in 2019, 2019年度高等學校科學研究优秀成果獎 – 自然科學一等獎; second-class awards in 2017 and 2012), 2017及2012年度高等學校科學研究优秀成果獎 – 自然科學二等獎, Ministry of Education, China; The State Natural Science Award (second-class award in 2015, 2015年度國家自然科學獎二等獎), China; The Croucher Award – Croucher Senior Research Fellowship in 2014. He was the recipient of of Keynote Lecture at 19th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (WCP2023), Glasgow, Scotland (2023), The Asian Lecture on Vascular Biology, Shanghai (2018), The Robert F. Furchgott Lecture, Zurich (2013), and The Office of Life Sciences Distinguished Lecture, National University of Singapore, Singapore (2007).

He is currently the Chair Professor of Biomedical Sciences and Vascular Biology, Jeanie Hu Professor of Biomedical Sciences (胡梁子慧生物醫學教授), and the Head in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong (Sept 2021 – )

Teaching and Research Interests

Endothelial and Metabolic Dysfunction, and Novel Biomarkers in Diabetes, Hypertension, Dyslipidemia and Estrogen Deficiency.
Mechanobiology and Atherosclerosis.
Fatty Liver Disease and Functional Crosstalk between Vascular Endothelium and Hepatocytes.
Endothelium-derived Contracting Factors in Regulation of Vascular Tone.
Adipose Tissue Regulation of Vascular Function in Obesity, Diabetes and Hypertension.
Pharmacological Characterization of New Anti-diabetic and Anti-hypertensive Drugs. Hypotensive and Antioxidant Actions of Bioactive Components of Traditional Chinese Herbs and Natural Plants Including Polypehnols and Ginsenosides.

Selected Publications

Cheng, C.K., Lin, X., Pu, Y., Tse, K.Y.J., Wang, Y., Zhang, C.L., Cao, X., Lau, C.W., Huang, J., He, L., Luo, J.Y., Shih, Y.T., Wan, S., Ng, C.F., Wang, L., Ma, C.W.R., Chiu, J.J., Chan, T.F., Tian, X.Y. & Huang, Y.* (2023). SOX4 is a novel phenotypic regulator of endothelial cells in atherosclerosis revealed by single-cell analysis. Journal of Advanced Research, 43:187-203.
Luo, J.Y., Cheng, C.K., He, L., Pu, Y., Zhang, Y., Lin, X., Xu, A., Lau, C.W., Tian, X.Y., Ma, R.C.W., Jo, H. & Huang, Y.* (2022). Endothelial UCP2 is a mechanosensitive suppressor of atherosclerosis. Circulation Research, 131(5):424-441.
He, L., Zhang, C.L., Chen, Q.H., Wang, L. & Huang, Y.* (2022). Endothelial shear stress signal transduction and atherosclerosis: From mechanisms to therapeutics. Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 235; 108152.
Zhao, L., Zhang, C.L., He, L., Chen, Q.H., Liu, L., Kang, L., Liu, J., Luo, J.Y., Gou, L., Qu, D., Song, W., Lau, C.W., Ko, H., Mok, V.C.T., Tian, X.Y., Wang, L. & Huang, Y.* (2022). Restoration of Autophagic Flux Improves Endothelial Function in Diabetes Through Reducing Mitochondrial ROS-mediated eNOS Monomerization. Diabetes, 71(5):1099-1114.
Huang, J., Pu, Y., Zhang, H., Xie, L., He, L., Zhang, C., Cheng, C.K., Huo, Y., Wan, S., Chen, S., Huang, Y., Lau, C.W., Wang, L, Huang, Y.* & Luo JY (2021). Endothelial KLF2 mediates the suppressive effect of laminar flow on vascular calcification by inhibiting BMP/SMAD1/5 signaling. Circulation Research, 129(4), e87-e100.
Qu, D., Wang, L., Huo, M., Song, W., Lau, C.W., Xu, J., Xu, A., Yao, X., Chiu, J.J., Tian, X.Y. & Huang, Y.* (2020). Focal TLR4 activation mediates disturbed flow-induced endothelial inflammation. Cardiovascular Research, 116(1), 226-236.
Song, W., Zhang, C.L., Gou, L., He, L., Gong, Y.Y., Qu, D., Zhao, L., Jin, N., Chan, T.F., Wang, L., Tian, X.Y., Luo, J.Y. & Huang, Y.* (2019) Endothelial TFEB (transcription factor EB) restrains IKK (IκB Kinase)-p65 pathway to attenuate vascular inflammation in diabetic db/db mice. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 39(4), 719-730.
Zhang, H., Liu, J., Qu, D., Wang, L., Wong, C.M., Lau, C.W., Huang, Y., Wang, Y.F., Huang, H., Xia, Y., Xiang, L., Cai, Z., Liu, P., Wei, Y., Yao, X., Ma, R.C.W., & Huang, Y.* (2018). Serum exosomes mediate delivery of arginase 1 as a novel mechanism for endothelial dysfunction in diabetes. Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences of The United States of America, 115(29), E6927-E6936.
Gou, L., Zhao, L., Song, W., Wang, L., Liu, J., Zhang, H., Huang, Y., Lau, C.W., Yao, X.Q., Tian, X.Y., Wong, W.T., Luo, J.Y., & Huang, Y.* (2018). Inhibition of miR-92a suppresses oxidative stress and improves endothelial function by upregulating heme oxygenase-1 in db/db mice. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 28(5), 358-370.
Cheang, W.S., Wong, W.T., Zhao, L., Xu, J., Wang, L., Lau, C.W., Chen, Z.Y., Ma, R.C.W., Xu, A., Wang, N., Tian, X.Y.*, & Huang, Y.* (2017). PPARδ Is required for exercise to attenuate endoplasmic reticulum stress and endothelial dysfunction in diabetic mice. Diabetes, 66(2), 519-528.
Wang, L., Luo, J.Y., Li, B., Tian, X.Y., Chen, L. J., Huang, Y., Liu, J., Deng, D., Lau, C.W., Wan, S., Ai, D., Mak, K.L., Tong, K.K., Kwan, K.M., Wang, N., Chiu, J.J., Zhu, Y.*, & Huang, Y.* (2016). Integrin-YAP/TAZ-JNK cascade mediates atheroprotective effect of unidirectional shear flow. Nature, 540, 579-581. Commented in Nature News and Views, Nature, 540, 531-532.
Zhang, H., Liu, J., Qu, D., Wang, L., Luo, J.Y., Lau, C.W., Liu, P., Gao, Z., Tipoe, G.L., Lee, H.K., Ng, C.F., Ma, R.C.W., Yao, X., & Huang, Y.* (2016). Inhibition of miR-200c restores endothelial function in diabetic mice through suppression of COX-2. Diabetes, 65(5), 1196-1207 with Commentary Diabetes, 65(5), 1152-1154.
Hu, W., Zhang, Y., Wang, L., Lau, C.W., Xu, J., Luo, J.Y., Gou, L., Yao, X.Y., Chen, Z.Y., Ma, R.C.W., Tian, X.Y., & Huang, Y.* (2016). Bone morphogenic protein 4-Smad induced upregulation of platelet-derived growth factor AA impairs endothelial function. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 36(3), 553-560.
Zhang, Y., Liu, J., Luo, J.Y., Tian, X.Y., Cheang, W.S., Xu, J., Lau, C.W., Wang, L., Wong, W.T., Wong, C.M., Lan, H.Y., Yao, X.Q., Raizada, M.K., & Huang, Y.* (2015). Upregulation of angiotensin (1-7)-mediated signaling preserves endothelial function through reducing oxidative stress in diabetes. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 23(11), 880-892 with Cover Image of the Issue.
Liu, J., Wang, L., Tian, X.Y., Liu, L. M., Wong, W.T., Zhang, Y., Han, Q., Ho, H.M., Wang, N., Wong, S.L., Chen, Z.Y., Yu, J., Ng, C.F., Yao, X., & Huang, Y.* (2015). Unconjugated bilirubin mediates heme oxygenase-1-induced vascular benefits in diabetic mice. Diabetes, 64(5), 1654-1575 with commentary 64(5), 1506-1508.
Liu, L., Liu, J., Tian, X.Y., Wong, W.T., Lau, C. W., Xu, A., XU, G., Ng, C.F., Yao, X., Gao, Y., & Huang, Y.* (2014). Uncoupling protein-2 up-regulation and oxidative stress inhibition mediate DPP-4 inhibition-induced restoration of endothelial function in hypertension. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 21(11), 1571-1581.
Wong, C.M., Zhang, Y., & Huang, Y.* (2014). Bone morphogenic protein-4-induced oxidant signaling via protein carbonylation for endothelial dysfunction. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 75C, 178-190.
Cheang, W.S., Tian, X.Y., Wong, W.T., Lau, C.W., Lee, S.T., Chen, Z.Y., Yao, X., Wang, N., & Huang, Y.* (2014). Metformin protects endothelial function in diet-Induced obese mice by inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress through 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ pathway. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 34(4), 830-6.
Zhang, Y., Liu, J., Tian, X.Y., Wong, W.T., Chen, Y., Wang, L., Luo, J. Y., Cheang, W.S., Lau, C. W., Kwan, K.M., Wang, N., Yao, X., & Huang, Y.* (2014). Inhibition of bone morphogenic protein-4 restores endothelial function in db/db diabetic mice. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 34(1), 152-159.
Dong, J., Wong, S.L., Lau, C.W., Liu, J., He, Z. D., Ng, C.F., Yao, X., Chen, Z.Y., Ni, X., Wang, H., & Huang, Y.* (2013). Calcitriol restores renovascular function in estrogen-deficient rats through the downregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 and thromboxane-prostanoid receptor. Kidney International, 84(1), 54-63 with commentary, 2013, 84(1), 9-11.
Tian, X. Y., Wong, W.T., Wang, N., Lu, Y., Cheang, W.S., Liu, J., Liu, L., Liu, Y., Lee, S.S.T., Chen, Z.Y., Cooke, J. P., Yao, X., & Huang, Y.* (2012). PPARδ activation protects endothelial function in diabetic mice. Diabetes, 61(12), 3285-3293.
Dong, J., Wong, S.L., Lau, C.W., Lee, H.K., Ng, C.F., Zhang, L., Yao, X., Chen, Z.Y., Vanhoutte, P.M., & Huang, Y.* (2012). Calcitriol protects renovascular function in hypertension by down-regulating angiotensin II type 1 receptors and reducing oxidative stress. European Heart Journal, 33(23), 2980-2990.
Liu, L., Liu, J., Wong, W.T., Tian, X.Y., Lau, C.W., Wang, Y.X., Xu, G., Pu, Y., Zhu, Z., Xu, A., Lam, K.S., Chen, Z.Y., Ng, C.F., Yao, X., & Huang, Y.* (2012). Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor sitagliptin protects endothelial function in hypertension through a glucagon-like peptide 1-dependent mechanism. Hypertension, 60(3), 833-841.
Yuen, C.Y., Wong, S.L., Lau, C.W., Tsang, S.Y., Xu, A., Zhu, Z., Ng, C.F., Kong, S.K., Lee, H.K., Yao, X., & Huang, Y.* (2012). From skeleton to cytoskeleton: Osteocalcin transforms vascular fibroblasts to myofibroblasts via angiotensin II and Toll-like receptor 4. Circulation Research, 111, e55-e66.
Tian, X.Y., Wong, W.T., Xu, A., Lu, Y., Zhang, Y., Wang, L., Cheang, W.S., Wang, Y., Yao, X., & Huang, Y.* (2012). Uncoupling protein-2 protects endothelial function in diet-Induced obese mice. Circulation Research, 110(9), 1211-1216.
Tian, X.Y., Wong, W.T., Leung, F.P., Zhang, Y., Wang, Y.X., Lee, H.K., Ng, C.F., Chen, Z.Y., Yao, X., Au, C.L., Lau, C.W., Vanhoutte, P.M., Cooke, J.P., & Huang, Y.* (2012). Oxidative stress-dependent cyclooxygenase-2-derived prostaglandin F2a impairs endothelial function in renovascular hypertensive rats. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 16(4), 363-373.
Tian, X.Y., Yung, L.H., Wong, W.T., Leung, F.P., Liu, L., Chen, Y.C., Kong, S.K., Kwan, K.M., Ng, S.S.M., Lai, P.B., Yung, L.M., Yao, X., & Huang, Y.* (2012). Bone morphogenic protein-4 induces endothelial cell apoptosis through oxidative stress-dependent p38MAPK and JNK pathway. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, 52(1), 237-244.
Cheang, W.S., Wong, W.T., Tian, X.Y., Yang, Q., Lee, H.K., He, G.W., Yao, X., & Huang, Y.* (2011). Endothelial nitric oxide synthase enhancer AVE3085 restores endothelial function and reduces oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic db/db mice. Cardiovascular Research, 92(2), 267-275.
Wong, W.T., Tian, X.Y., Xu, A., Yu, J., Lau, C.W., Hoo, R.L.C., Wang, Y., Lee, V.W.Y., Lam, K.S.L., Vanhoutte, P.M., & Huang, Y.* (2011). Adiponectin is required for PPARg-mediated improvement of endothelial function in diabetic mice. Cell Metabolism, 14(1), 104-115.
Wong, S.L., Lau, C.W., Wong, W.T., Xu, A., Au, C.L., Ng, C.F., Ng, S.S.M., Yao, X., & Huang, Y.* (2011). Pivotal role of PKδ in angiotensin II-induced endothelial cyclooxygenase-2 expression: A link to vascular inflammation. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 31(5), 1169-1176.
Yuen, C.Y., Wong, W.T., Tian, X.Y., Wong, S.L., Lau, C.W., Yu, J., Tomlinson, B., Yao, X., & Huang, Y.* (2011). Telmisartan inhibits vasoconstriction via PPARγ-dependent expression and activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Cardiovascular Research, 90(1), 122-129.
Wong, W.T., Tian, X.Y., Chen, Y.C., Leung, F.P., Liu, L., Lee, H.K., Ng, C.F., Xu, A., Yao, X., Vanhoutte, P.M., Tipoe, G.L., & Huang, Y.* (2010). Bone morphogenic protein-4 impairs endothelial function through oxidative stress-dependent cyclooxygenase-2 upregulation: Implications on hypertension. Circulation Research, 107(5), 984-991.
Chan, Y.C., Leung, F.P., Wong, W.T., Tian, X.Y., Yung, L.M., Lau, C.W., Tsang, S.Y., Yao, Y, Chen, Z.Y., & Huang, Y.* (2010). Therapeutically relevant concentrations of raloxifene dilate pressurized rat resistance arteries via calcium-dependent eNOS activation. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 30(5), 992-999.
Wong, S.L., Leung, F.P., Au, C.L., Yung, L.M., Lau, C.W., Yao, X., Chen, Z.Y., Vanhoutte, P.M., & Huang, Y.* (2009). Cyclooxygenase-2-derived PGF2a mediates endothelium-dependent contractions in the aortae of hamsters with increased impact during ageing. Circulation Research, 104(2), 228-235 with editorial commentary 104(2), 141-143.* Corresponding / Co-corresponding author

Grants

Hong Kong Research Grants Council – General Research Fund (GRF, 2024-2027) “Critical roles of endothelial FOXO1 activation in endothelial dysfunction during hypertension development”, HK$1,600,000, No. 11101123
Hong Kong Research Grants Council – General Research Fund (GRF) (PI; 2023-2026) “Inflammasome mediates YAP-induced chronic inflammation in endothelium during the initiation of atherosclerosis” HK$1,374,355, No. 11103222
Health and Medical Research Fund [PI; 2022-2025) “Gut microbiota remodelling contributes to the aging-induced endothelial dysfunction and vascular oxidative stress” (HK$1,500,000).
RGC – General Research Fund [PI; 2022-2025]: “TGF-b2 ameliorates pulmonary arterial hypertension” (HK$1,513,122).
Hong Kong Research Grants Council – Senior Research Fellow Scheme (PI; 2021-2025), (HK$7,798,380)
RGC – General Research Fund [PI; 01-Jan-21]: “Endothelial cell Nrf2activation inhibits atherosclerosis” (HK$1,394,799).
Health and Medical Research Fund [PI; 2020-2023) “Selective PPARα activation directly protects vascular function through inhibition of YAP/TAZ-mediated oxidative stress and inflammation” (HK$1,500,000).
Natural Science Foundation of China, Major Research Program on Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling (國家自然科學基金重大研究計畫項目) [PI; 01-Jan-20 to 31-Dec-21]: “Hemodynamic regulation of atherogenesis: a mechanistic and intervention study on the basis of systems biology; Ref.:91939302” (RMB 2,400,000).
RGC – General Research Fund [PI; 01-Jan-20]: “Scavenging mitochondrial ROS by UCP2 attenuates atherosclerosis through suppression of endoplasmic reticulum stress” (HK$1,517,507).
Ministry of Science and Technology of China (MOST) [PI; 29-Jul-19]: “篩選慢性腎病致心腦血管病早期診斷和預後標誌物;研究其致心腦血管損害的發病機制和防治新手段” (RMB1,030,000).
Health and Medical Research Fund [PI; 08-May-19]: “Artificial Sweeteners Improve Vascular Function and Reduce Oxidative Stress in Diabetes and Obesity” (HK$1,500,000).
RGC – General Research Fund [PI; 01-Jan-19]: “Suppression of Hippo pathway mediates endothelial dysfunction through activating the BMP4-SMAD axis in metabolic disorder” (HK$868,956).
Health and Medical Research Fund [PI; 23-Apr-18]: “Hippo Pathway Mediates the Beneficial Effect Hippo Pathway Mediates the Beneficial Effect of Metformin against Diabetic Vascular Dysfunction and Insulin Resistance” (HK$1,200,000).
RGC – General Research Fund [PI; 01-Jan-18 to 31-Dec-20]: “Targeting YAP/TAZ activation ameliorates endothelial dysfunction in diabetic mice” (HK$1,126,512).
Health and Medical Research Fund [PI; 18-Jul-17 to 17-Jul-19]: “Novel Lipid-lowering-independent Benefits of Statins against Vascular Dysfunction in Metabolic Syndrome” (HK$1,199,176).
RGC – Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) [PI; 30-Jun-17 to 29-Jun-20]: “A Multi-disciplinary Study on the Beneficial Effects of PPARD in Physical Exercise Against Diabetic Vascular Complications: Cellular Crosstalk and Energy Metabolism” (HK$6,817,834).
RGC – General Research Fund [PI; 01-Jan-17 to 31-Dec-19]: “Targeting TFEB to reverse endothelial dysfunction in diabetic mice through induction of autophagy” (HK$1,317,102).
Health and Medical Research Fund [PI; 15-Aug-16 to 14-Aug-18]: “Molecular Mechanisms of Red Wine Resveratrol against Metabolic Vascular Dysfunction” (HK$1,199,696).
Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) – National Health and Medical Science Council, Australia (NHMRC) Joint Research Scheme [PI; 25-Jan-16 to 31-Dec-20]: “Identifying the Epigenomic Fingerprint of Coronary Heart Disease in Chinese Adults with Type 2 Diabetes (Project Awarded received by SZRI: RMB 3,500,000; no funding transferred to Hong Kong)” (RMB3,500,000).
Health and Medical Research Fund [PI; 01-Jun-15 to 31-May-17]: “Cellular Mechanisms Underlying the Benefits of Danshen-derived Salvianolic Acid B against Vascular Inflammation and Dysfunction in Diabetes” (HK$999,916).
RGC – General Research Fund [PI; 01-Jan-15 to 31-Dec-17]: “Critical Role of Smad Signaling in Mediating Vascular Inflammation and Dysfunction in Diabetes and Obesity” (HK$959,868).
Health and Medical Research Fund [PI; 01-Apr-14 to 31-Mar-16]: “Investigation of In Vivo and In Vitro Vascular Benefits of Vitamin D in Mouse Models of Obesity and Diabetes” (HK$993,920).
National Natural Science Foundation of China [PI; 01-Jan-14 to 31-Dec-16]: “Cross-talk of the Toll-like Receptor and Bone Morphogenic Protein Signaling and its Function in Metabolic Vascular Dysfunction (Project Awarded: RMB 1,600,000; no funding transferred to Hong Kong)” (RMB1,600,000).