Education
BE, Biology, Ocean University of China (2003-2007)
MS, Food Science, Ocean University of China (2007-2010)
PhD, Food Science, Ocean University of China (2010-2014)
Visiting Student, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University in St. Louis (2011-2013)
Research Interest
We use transgenic mouse and cell lines to understand the crosstalk between metabolism and cell function during pregnancy and metabolic syndromes.
First, we are interested the role of metabolism in normal pregnancy，and how metabolic dysfunction lead to adverse maternal-fetal outcomes. Besides, we focused on the multiple effects of dietary factors on metabolic syndrome, including beneficial components (nutrients, bioactives) and harmful components.
Grants
National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (31601559) PI;
Xiamen Science Fund (3502Z202372001) PI;
National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFC2704700, 2018YFC1004103) Participant;
Publications (Last 5 years)
1. Xiaogang Chen†, Xiangchao Xu†, Jiahao Chen, Huiru Zhang, Wanshan Zheng, Wenzhe Yu, Xiaoqian Hu*, Bin Cao*. ADAR1 as a Placental Innate Immune Rheostat Sustaining the Homeostatic Balance of Intrinsic Interferon Response at the Maternal-Fetal Interface. Adv Sci (Weinh). 2025 Nov;12(42):e05491.
2. Wenzhe Yu, Jun Tao, Hongmin Cao, Wanshan Zheng, Beiang Zhang, Yue Zhang, …, Xiaoqian Hu*, Bin Cao*. The HAVCR1-centric host factor network drives Zika virus vertical transmission. Cell Reports, 2025; 44(4),115464
3. Wanshan Zheng†, Zhang Yue†, Peiqun Xu, Zexin Wang, Xuan Shao, Chunyan Chen, …, Xiaoqian Hu*, Bin Cao*. TFEB safeguards trophoblast syncytialization in humans and mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024, 121(28):e2404062121.
4. Yu Miao†, Hu Xiaoqian†, Pan, Zihang, Du Cui; Jiang Jing, Zheng Wanshan, …, Sun Ming-an*; Cao Bin*. Endogenous retrovirus-derived enhancers confer the transcriptional regulation of human trophoblast syncytialization. Nucleic Acids Research. 2023, 51(10):4745-4759.
5.Wenzhe Yu†, Beiang Zhang†, Xiao Hong, Han Cai, Yinan Wang, Jinhua Lu, Xiaoqian Hu*, Bin Cao*. Identification of desoxyrhapontigenin as a novel antiviral agent against congenital Zika virus infection. Antiviral Research. 2023, 211:105542.
6. Lida Fan†,Wenzhe Yu†, Beiang Zhang, Bin Cao, Mingfu Wang*, Xiaoqian Hu*. Distinctive effects of different types of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) on liver glucose metabolism. Food Funct. 2022, 13(21):11298-11306.
7. Wenzhe Yu, Lida Fan, Mingfu Wang, Bin Cao*, Xiaoqian Hu*. Pterostilbene improves insulin resistance caused by advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in hepatocytes and mice. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2021, 65(15):e2100321. (Cover story)
