Research Focus:
Multiple myeloma is a malignant tumor originating from the plasma cells of the blood system, the second most common of all blood tumors, and there is still no cure. We are committed to understanding the molecular mechanisms and targeted therapies of multiple myeloma progression, drug resistance, immune evasion, osteolytic bone injury, and bone homing generation and maintenance. Currently working in Science Translational Medicine:
(1), Cell Metabolism, Nature Communications, Theranostics, Science Signaling
(2), Hypertension, Journal of Translational Medicine, J. Exp. Clin. Cancer Res., Haematologica and other journals published 40 papers.
Main research directions:
1. Pathogenesis and targeted therapy of multiple myeloma
2. Feedback remodeling of myeloma cells by the bone marrow microenvironment
Educational background:
2001-2005: B.S., Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University
2005-2008: M.S., Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University
2008-2011 Ph.D., Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Work experience:
2011-2012: Assistant Researcher, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
2012-2017: Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, MD Anderson Cancer Research Center, USA
2017-2020: Lecturer, Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, MD Anderson Cancer Research Center, USA
2020: Research Scientist, Cancer Center, Cornell University, Houston Methodist Hospital, USA
2021-present: Professor, School of Medicine, Xiamen University
Selected Publications
1. Rui Liu, Yuping Zhong, Rui Chen, Chengchao Chu, Gang Liu, Yong Zhou, Yazhu Huang, Zhihong Fang and Huan Liu. m6A reader hnRNPA2B1 drives multiple myeloma osteolytic bone disease. Theranostics. 2022. (通讯作者)
2. Huan Liu, Jin He, Rozita Bagheri-Yarmand, Zongwei Li, Rui Liu, Zhiming Wang, Duc-hiep Bach, Yung-hsing Huang, Pei Lin, Theresa Guise, Robert F. Gagel, and Jing Yang. Osteocyte CIITA aggravates osteolytic bone lesions in myeloma. Nature Communications. 2022 Jun 27; 13(1): 3684.
3. Huan Liu, Jin He, Su Pin Koh, Yuping Zhong, Zhiqiang Liu, Zhiqiang Wang, Yujin Zhang, Zongwei Li, Bjorn T. Tam, Pei Lin, Min Xiao, Ken H. Young, Behrang Amini, Michael W. Starbuck, Hans C. Lee, Nora M. Navone, Richard E. Davis, Qiang Tong, P. Leif Bergsagel, Jian Hou, Qing Yi, Robert Z. Orlowski, Robert F. Gagel, Jing Yang. Reprogrammed marrow adipocytes contribute to myeloma-induced bone disease. Science Translational Medicine. 2019 May 29; 11(494): eaau9087. (封面文章)
4. Huan Liu, Zhiqiang Liu, Juan Du, Jin He, Pei Lin, Behrang Amini, Michael W. Starbuck, Nora Novane, Jatin J. Shah, Richard E. Davis, Jian Hou, Robert F. Gagel, Jing Yang. Thymidine phosphorylase exerts complex effects on bone resorption and formation in myeloma. Science Translational Medicine. 2016 Aug 24; 8 (353): 353ra113.
5. Rui Liu, Yuping Zhong, Rui Chen, Shiyi Chen, Yazhu Huang, Huan Liu. Bacterial infections exacerbate myeloma bone disease. Journal of Translational Medicine. 2022 Jan 6; 20(1): 16.
6. Huan Liu, Zhiming Wang, Jin He, Zongwei Li, Jerry Y. Gao, Rui Liu, Pei Lin, and Jing Yang. Promotion of bone lesions through the myeloma integrin α6-mediated osteolytic signaling. Frontiers in Oncology. 2021. 11:692190.
7. Zongwei Li, Huan Liu, Jin He, Zhiqiang Wang, Zheng Yin, Gichun You, Zhiming Wang, Richard E Davis, Pei Lin, P Leif Bergsagel, Elisabet E Manasanch, Stephen T C Wong, Nestor F Esnaola, Jenny C Chang, Robert Z Orlowski, Qing Yi, Jing Yang. Acetyl-CoA Synthetase 2: A Critical Linkage in Obesity-Induced Tumorigenesis in Myeloma. Cell Metabolism. 2021 Jan 5; 33(1): 78-93.
8. Zhiqiang Liu*, Huan Liu*, Jin He, Jingda Xu, Sheeba K. Thomas, Elisabet E Manasanch, Donna Weber, Qiang Tong, Jing Yang. Myeloma cells shift osteoblastogenesis to adipogenesis by inhibiting the ubiquitin ligase MURF1 in mesenchymal stem cells. Science Signaling. 2020. May 26; 13(633).
9. Jing Yang*, Zhiqiang Liu*, Huan Liu*, Jin He, Jianling Yang, Pei Lin, Qiang Wang, Juan Du, Wencai Ma, Zheng Yin, Eric Davis, Robert Z. Orlowski, Jian Hou, Qing Yi. C-reactive protein promotes bone destruction in human myeloma through the CD32-p38 MAPK-Twist axis. Science Signaling. 2017 Dec 12; 10 (509).
10. Rui Liu, Yuping Zhong, Rui Chen, Chengchao Chu, Gang Liu, Yong Zhou, Yazhu Huang, Zhihong Fang and Huan Liu. m6A reader hnRNPA2B1 drives multiple myeloma osteolytic bone disease. Theranostics. 2022.
11. Huan Liu, Jin He, Rozita Bagheri-Yarmand, Zongwei Li, Rui Liu, Zhiming Wang, Duc-hiep Bach, Yung-hsing Huang, Pei Lin, Theresa Guise, Robert F. Gagel, and Jing Yang. Osteocyte CIITA aggravates osteolytic bone lesions in myeloma. Nature Communications. 2022 Jun 27; 13(1): 3684.
12. Zhiming Wang, Jin He, Duc-Hiep Bach, Yung-Hsing Huang, Zongwei Li, Huan Liu, Pei Lin, Jing Yang. Induction of m6A methylation in adipocyte exosomal LncRNAs mediates myeloma drug resistance. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2022 Jan 3; 41(1): 4.
13. Rui Liu, Yuping Zhong, Rui Chen, Shiyi Chen, Yazhu Huang, Huan Liu*. Bacterial infections exacerbate myeloma bone disease. Journal of Translational Medicine. 2022 Jan 6; 20(1): 16.
14. . Huan Liu, Zhiming Wang, Jin He, Zongwei Li, Jerry Y. Gao, Rui Liu, Pei Lin, and Jing Yang. Promotion of bone lesions through the myeloma integrin α6-mediated osteolytic signaling. Frontiers in Oncology. 2021. 11: 692190.
15. Zongwei Li, Huan Liu, Jin He, Zhiqiang Wang, Zheng Yin, Gichun You, Zhiming Wang, Richard E Davis, Pei Lin, P Leif Bergsagel, Elisabet E Manasanch, Stephen T C Wong, Nestor F Esnaola, Jenny C Chang, Robert Z Orlowski, Qing Yi, Jing Yang. Acetyl-CoA Synthetase 2: A Critical Linkage in Obesity-Induced Tumorigenesis in Myeloma. Cell Metabolism. 2021 Jan 5; 33(1): 78-93.
16. Guoli Li, Huan Liu#, Jin He, Zongwei Li, Zhiming Wang, Shan Zhou, Guopei Zheng, Zhimin He, Jing Yang#. TAS-102 has a tumoricidal activity in multiple myeloma. Am J Cancer Res. 2020 Nov 1; 10(11): 3752-3764. (Corresponding author)
17. Zhiqiang Liu*, Huan Liu*, Jin He, Jingda Xu, Sheeba K. Thomas, Elisabet E Manasanch, Donna Weber, Qiang Tong, Jing Yang. Myeloma cells shift osteoblastogenesis to adipogenesis by inhibiting the ubiquitin ligase MURF1 in mesenchymal stem cells. Science Signaling. 2020. May 26; 13(633). (Co-first authors).
18. Huan Liu, Jin He, Su Pin Koh, Yuping Zhong, Zhiqiang Liu, Zhiqiang Wang, Yujin Zhang, Zongwei Li, Bjorn T. Tam, Pei Lin, Min Xiao, Ken H. Young, Behrang Amini, Michael W. Starbuck, Hans C. Lee, Nora M. Navone, Richard E. Davis, Qiang Tong, P. Leif Bergsagel, Jian Hou, Qing Yi, Robert Z. Orlowski, Robert F. Gagel, Jing Yang. Reprogrammed marrow adipocytes contribute to myeloma-induced bone disease. Science Translational Medicine. 2019 May 29; 11(494): eaau9087. (Cover Story)
19. Huan Liu, Zhiqiang Liu, Juan Du, Jin He, Pei Lin, Behrang Amini, Michael W. Starbuck, Nora Novane, Jatin J. Shah, Richard E. Davis, Jian Hou, Robert F. Gagel, Jing Yang. Thymidine phosphorylase exerts complex effects on bone resorption and formation in myeloma. Science Translational Medicine. 2016 Aug 24; 8 (353): 353ra113. (Highlighted by Science and Cancer Discovery)
20. Jing Yang*, Zhiqiang Liu*, Huan Liu*, Jin He, Jianling Yang, Pei Lin, Qiang Wang, Juan Du, Wencai Ma, Zheng Yin, Eric Davis, Robert Z. Orlowski, Jian Hou, Qing Yi. C-reactive protein promotes bone destruction in human myeloma through the CD32-p38 MAPK-Twist axis. Science Signaling. 2017 Dec 12; 10 (509). (Co-first authors)
21. Huan Liu, Jin He, Jing Yang. Tumor cell p38 MAPK: A trigger of cancer bone osteolysis. Cancer Cell Microenviron. 2015 Jan 1; 2(1).
22. Huan Liu, Bo Zhao, Yongchang Chen, DewenYou, Rui Liu, Mingqiang Rong, Weizhi Ji, Ping Zheng, Ren Lai. Multiple coagulation factor deficiency protein 2 contains the ability to support stem cell self-renewal. FASEB J. 2013 Aug; 27(8): 3298-305.
23. Rui Liu*, Zheng Zhang*, Huan Liu*, Panpan Hou, Jun Lang, Sheng Wang, Hongli Yan, Pengcheng Li, Zhigang Huang, Hongbing Wu, Mingqiang Rong, Jian Huang, Hong Wang, Longbao Lv, Mingfeng Qiu, Jiuping Ding, Ren Lai. Human β-Defensin 2 is a novel opener of Ca2+-activated potassium channels and induces vasodilation and hypotension in monkeys. Hypertension. 2013 Aug; 62(2): 415-25. (Co-first authors)
24. Yongsheng Tu, Jin He, Huan Liu, Hans C. Lee, Hua Wang, Jo Ishizawa, Joshua E. Allen, Michael Andreeff, Robert Z. Orlowski, Richard E. Davis, Jing Yang. The imipridone ONC201 induces apoptosis and overcomes chemotherapy resistance by up-regulation of bim in multiple myeloma. Neoplasia. 2017 Oct; 19 (10): 772-780.
25. Jianan Pang, Qiaofa Shi, Zhiqiang Liu, Jin He, Huan Liu, Pei Lin, Jiuwei Cui, Jing Yang. Resistin induces multidrug resistance in myeloma by inhibiting cell death and upregulating ABC transporter expression. Haematologica. 2017 Jul; 102(7): 1273-1280.
26. Zhiqiang Liu, Jingda Xu, Jin He, Huan Liu, Pei Lin, Xinhai Wan, Nora M. Navone, Qiang Tong, Larry W. Kwak, Robert Z. Orlowski, Jing Yang. Mature adipocytes in bone marrow protect myeloma cells against chemotherapy through autophagy activation. Oncotarget. 2015 Oct 27; 6 (33): 34329-41.
27. Mingjun Zhang, Jin He, Zhiqiang Liu, Yong Lu, Yuhuan Zheng, Haiyan Li, Jingda Xu, Huan Liu, Jianfei Qian, Robert Z. Orlowski, Larry W. Kwak, Qing Yi, Jing Yang. Anti-β2-microglobulin monoclonal antibodies overcome bortezomib resistance in multiple myeloma by inhibiting autophagy. Oncotarget. 2015 Apr 20; 6 (11): 8567-78.
28. Huan Liu, Yu Zhou, Rui Liu, KeYun Zhang, Ren Lai. Bacillus solisalsi sp. nov., a halotolerant and alkaliphiles bacterium isolated from soil around a salt lake. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2009, 59: 1460-1464.
29. Huan Liu, Rui Liu, ShouYun Yang, WeiKai Gao, ChongXing Zhang, KeYun Zhang, Ren Lai. Flavobacterium anhuiense sp. nov., isolated from field soil. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2008, 58: 756-760.
30. Xiuwen Yan*, Huan Liu*, Xuening Yang, Qiaolin Che, Rui Liu, Hailong Yang, Xiuhong Liu, Dewen You, Aili Wang, Jianxu Li, Ren Lai. Bi-functional peptides with both trypsin-inhibitory and antimicrobial activities may be common defensive molecules in Ranidae amphibian skins. Amino Acids. 2012 Jul; 43(1): 309-16. (Co-corresponding authors & Co-first authors)
31. Rui Liu*, Huan Liu*, Yufan Ma, Jin Wu, Hailong Yang, Huahu Ye, Ren Lai. There are abundant antimicrobial peptides in brains of two kinds of Bombina toads. J Proteome Res. 2011, 10: 1806-1815. (Co-first authors)
32. Zhigang Liu*, Huan Liu*, Xiaoyu Liu, Xuli Wu. Purification and cloning of a novel antimicrobial peptide from salivary glands of the hard tick, Ixodes sinensis. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 2008, 149: 557-567 (Co-first authors)
33. ShouYun Yang*, Huan Liu*, Rui Liu, KeYun Zhang, Ren Lai. Saccharibacillus kuerlensis sp. nov., isolated from a desert soil. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 2009, 59: 953-957. (Co-first authors)
34. Rui Liu*, Huan Liu*, ChongXing Zhang, ShouYun Yang, XiuHong Liu, KeYun Zhang, Ren Lai. Sphingobacterium siyangense sp. nov., isolated from farm soil. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2008, 58: 1458-1462. (Co-first authors)
35. Rui Liu*, Huan Liu*, Hao Feng, Xu Wang, ChongXing Zhang, KeYun Zhang, Ren Lai. Pseudomonas duriflava sp. nov., isolated from a desert soil. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2008, 58. 1404-1408. (Co-first authors)
36. Zhimin He, Jin He, Zhiqiang Liu, Jingda Xu, Sofia F. Yi, Huan Liu, Jing Yang. MAPK11 in breast cancer cells enhances osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. Biochimie. 2014 Nov; 106: 24-32.
37. Zhiqiang Liu, Jinda Xu, Haiyan Li, Yuhuan Zheng, Jin He, Huan Liu et al. Bone marrow stromal cells derived MCP-1 reverses the inhibitory effects of multiple myeloma cells on osteoclastogenesis by upregulating the RANK expression. PLoS One. 2013 Dec 10; 8(12).
38. Daixi Liu, Yuwei Wang, Lin Wei, Huahu Ye, Huan Liu, Ling Wang, Rui Liu, Dongsheng Li, Ren Lai. Snake venom-like waprin from the frog of Ceratophrys calcarata contains antimicrobial function. Gene. 2013 Feb 10; 514(2): 99-104.
39. Hongli Yan, Lin Wei, Xiaoqin He, Huan Liu, Shilong Yang, Ren Lai, Dingqi Rao. A novel myotropical peptide from the skin secretions of the tree frog, Polypedates pingbianensis. Biochimie. 2012 Aug; 94(8): 1718-23.
40. Ping Meng, Lin Wei, Shilong Yang, Huan Liu, Rui Liu, Ren Lai. A novel frog skin peptide containing function to induce muscle relaxation. Biochimie. 2012 Dec; 94 (12): 2508-2513.
41. Guoxiang Wang, Ying Wang, Dongying Ma, Huan Liu, Jianxu Li, Keyun Zhang, Xiaolong Yang, Ren Lai, Jingze Liu. Five novel antimicrobial peptides from the Kuhl's wart frog skin secretions, Limnonectes kuhlii. Mol Biol Rep. 2013 Feb; 40(2): 1097-102.
42. Xiuwen Yan, Jian Zhong, Huan Liu, Cunbao Liu, Keyun Zhang, Ren Lai. The cathelicidin-like peptide derived from panda genome is a potential antimicrobial peptide. Gene. 2012 Jan 25; 492(2): 368-74.
43. Lin Wei, Li Dong, TongYan Zhao, De-Wen You, Rui Liu, Huan Liu, Hailong Yang, Ren Lai. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the amphibian neurotoxin, anntoxin. Biochimie. 2011, 93: 995-1000.
44. Rui Liu, Lixian Mu, Huan Liu, Lin Wei, Tianhua Yan, Ming Chen, Keyun Zhang, Jianxu Li, Dewen You, Ren Lai. Two antimicrobial and nematicidal peptides derived from sequences encoded Picea sitchensis. J Pept Sci. 2011, 17 (9): 627-631.
45. Dongying Ma, Xueqing Xu, Shu An, Huan Liu, Xiaolong Yang, JF Andersen, Ying Wang, F Tokumasu, JMC. Ribeiro, IMB Francischetti, Ren Lai. A novel family of RGD-containing disintegrins (Tablysin-15) from the salivary gland of the horsefly Tabanus yao targets αIIbβ3 or αVβ3 and inhibits platelet aggregation and angiogenesis. Thromb Haemost. 2011 Jun; 105(6): 1032-45.
46. Lei Shen, LongPeng Zheng, Huan Liu, Rui Liu, KeYun Zhang, Ren Lai. Rhizobium kunmingense sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of Camptotheca acuminata Decne. J Gen Appl Microbiol. 2010, 56: 143-149.
47. Chongxing Zhang, Shouyun Yang, Mingxu Xu, Jie Sun, Huan Liu, Jingrui Liu, Hui Liu, Fei Kan, Jing Sun, Ren Lai, Keyun Zhang. Serratia nematodiphila sp. nov., associated symbiotically with the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditidoides chongmingensis (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae). Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2009, 59: 1603-1608.
48. Xu Wang, Yuzhu Song, Jianxu Li, Huan Liu, Xueqing Xu, Ren Lai, Keyun Zhang. A new family of antimicrobial peptides from skin secretions of Rana pleuraden. Peptides. 2007 Oct; 28(10): 2069-74.
49. Yu Zhou, Xu Wang, Huan Liu, KeYun Zhang, YuQin Zhang, Ren Lai, WenJun Li. Pontibacter akesuensis sp. nov., isolated from a desert soil in China. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2007, 57: 321-325.
