Xiaohua Yan

PhD, Professor

Professional Experiences

2016-now, Professor and PI, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University

2025-now, Director, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University

2023-now, Deputy Director, MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, Nanchang University

2020-2023, Deputy Director, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Nanchang University

2012-2016, Assistant and Associate Investigator, Tsinghua University, Beijing

2010-2012, Postdoctor fellow, Tsinghua University, Beijing

Education

1999-2003, BSc, School of Life Sciences, Sichuan University

2003-2006, MSc, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

2006-2010, PhD, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University

Research interest

Using multiple biochemical, cell biological and bioinformatic approaches combined with mouse models and clinical patient tissues, we aim to elucidate how major signaling pathways (e.g., TGF‑β and Hippo pathways) and their crosstalk regulate tumor growth, the TME remodeling, and immune evasion, and commit ourselves to novel molecular target identification, drug screening and translational research.

Selected publications (*corresponding author)

[1] Peng X, Liu Z, Li C, Luo W, Mao Y, Zhao Y, Li Z, Li Y, Wei W, Zhu C, Yao J, Chen L*, Yan X*. Upregulation of limb-bud and heart (LBH) drives liver cancer progression by interacting with the oncoprotein Mortalin. Cell Oncol. 2026 May 28.

[2] Yan X#, Zhang J#, Heldin CH, Feng XH, Chen YG. Recent advances in TGF-β signaling: insights into regulation, pathophysiological function, and clinical translation. Cell Regen. 2026. 15(1):13.

[3] Jiang W, Wei W, Tu S, Yan J*, Yan X*. Dynamic subpopulations and spatial interactions of hepatic stellate cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in liver cancer. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin. 2026.

[4] Zhang C#, Wei W#, Tu S, Liang B, Li C, Li Y, Luo W, Wu Y, Dai X, Wang Y, Zheng L, Hao L, Zhang C, Luo Z, Chen YG, Yan X*. Upregulation of CYR61 by TGF-β and YAP signaling exerts a counter-suppression of hepatocellular carcinoma. J Biol Chem. 2024. 300(4):107208.

[5] Luo W#, Li Y#, Zeng Y#, Li Y, Cheng M, Zhang C, Li F, Wu Y, Huang C, Yang X, Kremerskothen J, Zhang J, Zhang C, Tu S, Li Z, Luo Z, Lin Z*, Yan X*. Tea domain transcription factor 4 (TEAD4) mitigates TGF-β signaling and hepatocellular carcinoma progression independently of YAP. J Mol Cell Biol. 2023 Feb 20: mjad010.

[6] Zou T#, Wang Y#, Dong L, Che T, Zhao H, Yan X*, and Lin Z*. Stabilization of SETD3 by Deubiquitinase USP27 Enhances Cell Proliferation and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2022. 12;79(1):70.

[7] Zhang K#, Zhang M#, Luo Z, Wen Z*, Yan X*. The Dichotomous Role of TGF-β in Controlling Liver Cancer Cell Survival and Proliferation. J Genet Genom. 2020. 47(9):497-512.

[8] Liu L#, Wu Y#, Zhang C, Zhou C, Li Y, Zeng Y, Zhang C, Li R, Luo D, Wang L, Zhang L, Tu S, Deng H, Luo S, Chen YG, Xiong X*, Yan X*. Cancer-associated adipocyte-derived G-CSF promotes breast cancer malignancy via Stat3 signaling. J Mol Cell Biol 2020. 12(9):723–737.

[9] Dong L#, Yu L#, Li H, Shi L, Luo Z, Zhao H, Liu Z, Yin G, Yan X*, Lin Z*. An NAD+-dependent deacetylase SIRT7 promotes HCC development through deacetylation of USP39. iScience 2020, 23(8):101351.

[10] Li Y#, Tu S#, Zeng Y, Zhang C, Deng T, Luo W, Lian L, Chen L, Xiong X, Yan X*. KLF2 inhibits TGF-beta-mediated cancer cell motility in hepatocellular carcinoma. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin 2020, 52(5):485-494.

[11] Yan X#*, Wu J#, Jiang Q, Cheng H, Han JJ, Chen YG*. CXXC5 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma by promoting TGF-beta-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. J Mol Cell Biol 2018, 10:48-59.

[12] Yan X*, Liao H, Cheng M, Shi X, Lin X, Feng XH, Chen YG*: Smad7 Protein Interacts with Receptor-regulated Smads (R-Smads) to Inhibit Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta)/Smad Signaling. J Biol Chem 2016, 291:382-392.

Contact information

E-mail: yanxiaohua@ncu.edu.cn

Wechat: xiaohuayan2015