EDUCATION

1983  M.D., Shandong University, Qilu Medical School, China

1993  Ph.D., Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

1993-1996  Postdoc, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA

2006  hM.D. Copenhagen University, Medicine, Copenhagen, Denmark  

CURRENT POSITION (S)

2004-Now Full professor at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

2010 Distinguished professor at the Karolinska Institutet

2014 Outstanding professor at the Karolinska Institutet

Being trained as a medical doctor and a basic research scientist, Cao pursues basic and translational research with emphasis on clinical implications. He has made seminal contributions to several medical fields. These include discovery of novel molecules and mechanistic studies of signaling molecules targeting the pathological vasculature as novel therapeutic approaches for treatment of cancer, ocular disease therapy, obesity and diabetic and cardiovascular diseases.

2022-2025 Principal Investigator, Novo Nordisk Research grant.
2022-2027 Co-Principal Investigator. EU Consortium grant.
2021-2025 Co-Principal Investigator. Sweden-China joint grant
2021-2025 Co-Principal Investigator. Hong Kong-Oxford-KI grant.
2021-2025 Principal Investigator, the Swedish Research Council.
2021-2023 Principal Investigator, the Swedish Cancer Foundation.
2018-2020 Principal Investigator, the Swedish Cancer Foundation.
2019-2021 Principal Investigator, KI-Strategic research area grant.
2019-2024 Principal Investigator Swedish Research Council.
2015-2021 Co-Principal Investigator Knut Alice Wallenberg grant.
2014-2020 Principal Investigator Novo Nordisk Advanced grant.
2010-2014 Principal Investigator ERC-advanced grant.
2010-2015 Principal Investigator Distinguished professor award, Karolinska Institutet.
2012-2015 Principal Investigator Swedish Research Council.
2012-2014 Principal Investigator Swedish Cancer Foundation.
2012-2014 Principal Investigator Torste Söderberg Foundation.
2006-2008 Principal Investigator Heart and Lung Foundation.
2010-2014 Co-applicant EU FP6 (Metoxia).
2006-2008 Co-applicant EU FP6 (Vascuplug).
2006-2008 Co-applicant EU FP6 (Angiotargeting).
2001-2004 Principal Investigator Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP).

①代表论文：
Total published articles 285
31 articles in Nature publishing group (3 Nature; 4 Nature Medicine; 1 Nature Reviews Cancer; 1 Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology; 2 Nature Reviews Drug Discovery; 1 Nature Reviews Endocrinology; 1 Nature Reviews Cardiology, 1 Nature Reviews Materials; 10 Nature Communications; 2 Nature Metabolism, 5 Nature Protocols)
14 articles in Cell press group (1 Cell; 2 Cancer Cell; 5 Cell Metabolism; 4 Cell Reports; 1 Developmental Cell, 1 Neuron)
10 articles in Science and sister journals (2 Science; 3 Science Translational Medicine; 4 Science Advances; 1 Science Signaling)
50 articles in Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
11 articles in J. Clin. Invest (9 JCI, 2 JCI Insight)
4 articles in Circulation
4 articles in J. Exp. Med
4 articles in Blood
2 GUT

Selection of 10 original research articles

1.Takahiro Seki, Yunlong Yang, Xiaoting Sun, Sharon Lim, Sisi Xie, Wenjing Xiong, Masashi Kuroda, Hiroshi Sakaue, Kayoko Hosaka, Masahito Yoshihara, Lili Qu, Xin Li, Yuguo Chen and Yihai Cao Cold-induced non-shivering thermogenesis suppresses tumor growth through impeding glycolysis-dependent metabolism in cancer cells. Nature, 608, pages 421–428, 2022, IF: 69.504.
2.Hideki Iwamoto, Mitsuhiko Abe, Yunlong Yang, Takahiro Seki, Masaki Nakamura, Kayoko Hosaka, Sharon Lim, Takuji Torimura, Yongtian Lu, Guohui Nie and Yihai Cao Antiangiogenic drug-triggered lipid-dependent metabolic reprograming confers drug resistance, Cell Metabolism, 28(1):104-117.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.05.005. Epub 2018 May 31 2018. IF: 31.373.

3.Dong M, Yang X, Lim S, Cao Z, Honek J, Lu H, Zhang C, Seki T, Hosaka K, Wahlberg E, Yang J, Zhang L, Länne T, Sun B, Li X, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Cao Y.Cold-induced UCP1-dependent lipolysis promotes atherosclerotic plaque growth and instability. Cell Metabolism. Jul 2;18(1):118-29. 2013. IF: 31.373.

4.Molina D, Jafari R, Ignatushchenko M, Seki T, EA, Dan C, Sreekumar L, Cao Y, Nordlund P. Monitoring drug target engagement in cells and tissues using the cellular thermal shift assay. Science. 5;341(6141):84-7. 2013. IF: 63.714.

5.Xue Y, Wang Z, Lim S, Jensen LD, Yang Y, Hedlund EM, Cao R, Larsson O, Galter D, Hosaka K, Cao Y. PDGF-B modulates hematopoiesis and tumor angiogenesis by switching on hypoxia-independent but ATF3-dependent erythropoietin production in stromal cells. Nature Medicine, Dec 4 ;18(1):100-10 2011. IF: 87.241.

6.Xue Y, Petrovic N, Cao R, Larsson O, Lim S, Chen S, Feldmann HM, Liang Z, Zhu Z, Nedergaard J, Cannon B, Cao Y. Hypoxia-independent angiogenesis in adipose tissues during cold acclimation. Cell Metabolism, 2009;9:99-109. IF: 31.373.

7.Cao R, Bjorndahl MA, Religa P, Clasper S, Garvin S, Galter D, Meister B, Ikomi F, Tritsaris K, Dissing S, Ohhashi T, Jackson DG, Cao Y. PDGF-BB induces intratumoral lymphangiogenesis and promotes lymphatic metastasis. Cancer Cell, 2004;6:333-345. IF: 38.585.

8.Cao R, Brakenhielm E, Pawliuk R, Wariaro D, Post MJ, Wahlberg E, Leboulch P, Cao Y. Angiogenic synergism, vascular stability and improvement of hind-limb ischemia by a combination of PDGF-BB and FGF-2. Nature Medicine, 2003;9:604-613. IF: 87.241.

9.Cao Y and Cao R. Angiogenesis inhibited by drinking tea. Nature, 1999;398:381. IF: 69.504.

10.Cheng H, Cao Y, Olson L. Spinal cord repair in adult paraplegic rats: Partial restoration of hind limb function. Science, 1996;273:510-513. IF: 63.714.

Selection of 10 review articles

1.Cao Y., Arbiser J., Langer R.S., Ferrara N. Drugs targeting angiogenesis: Opportunities
and challenges for treatment of multiple diseases. Nature Rev Drug Discov. (Co-corresponding author), In press 2022. IF: 112.228.

2.Huang X., Kong N., Zhang X., Cao Y., Langer R. and Tao W. The landscape of mRNA nanomedicine. Nature Medicine. (Co-corresponding author), 2022, in press. IF: 87.241.

3.Cao Y. Adipose tissue angiogenesis as a therapeutic target for obesity and metabolic diseases. Nature Rev Drug Discov. 9:107-115, 2010. IF: 112.228

4.Cao Y. Obesity protects cancer from drugs targeting blood vessels. Cell Metabolism, Jun 5;27(6):1163-1165. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.05.014. 2018. IF: 31.373.

5.Cao Y. Detrimental effects of anti-VEGF-based antiangiogenic cancer drugs on endocrine system. Nature Review Endocrinology, Sep;10(9):530-9. doi: 10.1038/nrendo.2014.114. Epub 2014 Jul 22, 2014. IF: 47.564.

6.Cao Y. Angiogenesis and vascular functions in modulation of obesity, adipose metabolism, and insulin sensitivity. Cell Metabolism, Sep 11. doi:pii: S1550-4131(13)00334-3. 2013. IF: 31.373.

7.Cao Y, Arbiser J, D ́Amore P, D ́Amato R, Ingber D, Jain R, Kerbel R, Klagsbrun M, Moses M, Zetter B, Dvorak H, Langer R. Translation of the initial concept to clinical success of antiangiogenic therapy: A 40-year journey of angiogenesis research. Science Transl Med. 3(114):114rv3, 2011. IF: 19.319.

8.Cao Y, Langer R. Optimizing the delivery of cancer drugs that block angiogenesis. Science Transl Med. 2:15ps13, 2010. IF: 19.319.
9.Cao Y. Off-tumor target-beneficial site for antiangiogenic cancer therapy? Nature Rev Clin Oncol. 7:604-608, 2010. IF: 65.011.

10.Cao Y. Opinion: Emerging mechanisms of tumour lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis. Nature Rev Cancer. 5:735-743, 2005. IF: 69.8,


Book Chapters


1.Jennifer Honek1 / Sharon Lim1 / Carina Fischer1 / Hideki Iwamoto1 / Takahiro Seki1 / Yihai Cao Brown adipose tissue, thermogenesis, angiogenesis: pathophysiological aspects. Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation, Volume 19, Issue 1, Pages 5–11, ISSN (Online) 1868-1891, ISSN (Print) 1868-1883, DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2014-0014, May 2014
2.Jensen L, Honek J, Rouhi P, Lim S, Ji H, Cao Z, Hedlund E-M, Zhang J and Cao Y. Animal models of angiogenesis and lymphangiogensis. Biomedical Science, Engineering and Technology, Chapter 30, ISBN: 978-953-307-471-9, 2012
3.Cao, Y (2011) Therapeutic angiogenesis for critical limb ischemia: complex mechanisms and future challenges, Molecular and Translational Vascular Medicine, Springer Science and Business Media, Chapter 7, 2012.
4.Bjorndahl, M., Cao, R., Xue, L. and Cao, Y (2005) The NPY family of peptides in immune disorders, inflammation, angiogenesis and cancer: NPY and angiogenesis, Birkhauser Verlag, Basel, Boston, Berlin, 167-174.
5.Cao Y. Angiogenesis as a therapeutic target for obesity and metabolic diseases. Marone Granata: Angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and clinical implications. Chem Immunol Allergy. Basel, Karger 2013. 99. 1-10.
6.Cao R., Brakenhielm, E., Zhang M., Zhang Y., Wahlberg E., and Cao Y. Angiogenesis for ischemia. Vascular and Endovascular Challenges. Publishing, Charing Cross, 26th volume, 1-11. BIBA, 2004.
7.Cao, Y (1997) Plasminogen-related growth inhibitors-angiostatin. Angiostatin: a plasminogen-related growth inhibitor. Plasminogen related growth factors Ciba Foundation, John Wiley & Sons. 247-251.
8.O ́Reilly, M.S., Shing, Y., Cao, Y. and Folkman, J (1996) Endogenous inhibitors of angiogenesis. Proc. Amer. Assoc. Cancer Res. 37, 669.
9.Fuxe, K., Chadi, G., Agnati, L. F., Tinner, B., Rosen, L., Janson, A. M., Moller, A., Cintra, A., Cao, Y., Goldstein, M., Lindahl, U., David, G., Ögren, O. S., Toffano, G., Baird, A. and Pettersson, R. F (1993) Fibroblast growth factor-2, ganglioside GM1 and the trophic regulation of the basal ganglia focus on the nigrostriatal dopamine neurons. Trophic regulation of the basal ganglia focus on dopamine neurons. Pergamon press, Oxford 62, 1-41.
10.Olson, L., Wetmore, C., Bean, A. J., Cao, Y. and Pettersson, R. F (1993) Localization of neurotrophins and their receptors at the mRNA and protein level. Trophic regulation of the basal ganglia focus on dopamine neurons. Pergamon press, Oxford 62, 151-165.
11.Bean, A. J., Elde, R., Oellig, C., Cao, Y., Pettersson, R. F. and Hökfelt, T (1993) Acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors are present in, and produce effects upon, mesencephalic dopamine neurons. Trophic regulation of the basal ganglia focus on dopamine neurons. Pergamon press, Oxford 62, 267-284.
12.Cao, Y (2007) Anti-angiogenic Agents - Ninth International Symposium Recent Advances and Future Directions in Basic and Clinical Cancer Research, Thomson Book 1-3.
13.Cao, Y. and Jon Hansen, A (2004) Angiogenesis Assays. Book chapter in Cell Biology, Chapter 46, 373-378.
14.Cao, Y (2004) Angiogenesis for ischemia, Vascular and Endothelial challenges, Charing Cross Book chapter, 1-11.
15.Cao, Y (2003) Tumor angiogenesis and therapy, Book chapter, New Trends in Cancer for the 21st Century 532, 109-120.

Editor of books

Yihai Cao Editor: Angiogenesis in adipose tissue (the first book in this research field) Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 2013

16.Cao Y. Part I. Historical review of angiogenesis. 1. Angiogenesis in diseases and therapy, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 2013, 3-18.
17.Sharon Lim, Jennifer Honek, and Yihai Cao Part III Adipose vasculature. 5. Blood vessels in white and brown adipose tissues. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 2013, 77-102.
18.Ebba Brakenhielm and Yihai Cao Part IV Angiogenic factors and adipokines in adipose tissues. 10. Leptin, Adiponectin, and Other Adipokines in Regulation
of Adipose Tissue Angiogenesis. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 2013, 187-232.
19.Sharon Lim, Jennifer Honek, and Yihai Cao Part VI Adipose Angiogenesis Models in Animals and Methodology. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 2013, 263-296.

FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS

2014 NOVO Nordisk Advanced award, Denmark
2013 The Dr. Axel Hirsch Prize for medicine, one of the most prestigious international prizes in Sweden
2012 Outstanding scientist at the Karolinska Institute assessed by international panel experts
2010 European Research Council Advanced Grant (ERC-AdG)
2010 Distinguished professor award at the Karolinska Institute
2003 Eric Fernström Prize, one of the most prestigious mediccine prizes in Nordic countries
1993 Human Frontier Science Program postdoctoral grant award, France
1993 Fulbright research fellow award, USA

DISTINCTION AND ELECTED ACADEMIC MEMBERSHIPS

Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE)
Member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) USA
Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (EASA)
Member of the Academy of Europe (Academia Europaea, AE)
Member of the American Institute of Medicine and Biological Engineering (AIMBE)

HONORAY DEGREE

Honorary medical doctor (hM.D). Copenhagen University, Denmark

Postdocs and young scientists: Trained over 50 postdoctoral fellows and research scientists. Some of my previous students have their independent research laboratories and are at the full professor levels. For example, Ebba Bråkenhielm is now a full professor at the Normandy University, UniRouen, INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale) UMR1096 (EnVI Laboratory), FHU REMOD-VHF, Rouen, France; Yunlong Yang is a full professor at the Fudan University, China; Yuping Sun is a full professor at the Shandong University; Xiaoting Sun is a full professor at the Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China; Lasse Jenssen is an associate professor at the Linköping University; Zhang Cheng is a full professor at the Shandong University; Dr. Yuan Xue has undertaken another avenue for his career development. After receiving his training at MIT, he is now a director of a pharmaceutical company. Niina Veitonmäki has also become one of the key pharmaceutical scientists at the Alligator Bioscience, Sweden; Eva-Maria Hedlund is another successful young scientist who is on her way to become a completely independent principal investigator after receiving her training at the University of British Columbia, Canada, Hideki Iwamoto is an associate professor at the Kurumi University, Japan. Additionally, Cao has supervised a dozen of guest Ph.D. students who have completed their research training and successfully defended their Ph.D. theses in their home countries. This supervision activity has broadened the collaborative relations between Europe and the rest of the World including those students from China and Japan.

MAJOR COLLABORATIONS
My laboratory has broad, ongoing international collaborations with scientists in different regions of the globe. These collaborators include Professor Bruce Spiegelman at Harvard Medical School, USA, with whom we collaborate on white and brown adipose stem-cell differentiation; Professor Robert Langer at MIT, Boston, USA, with whom we have collaborated on using chemical scaffolds to investigate adipose stem-cell differentiation in the presence of blood vessels (we have co-authored 3 research articles): Professor Yizhi Liu at the Sun Yat-sen University, China, who provides us with several genetic mouse strains and with whom we have co-authored several research articles. Professor Zhongjun Zhou at the Hong Kong University; Professor Harald Braun from the Ghent University, Belgium; Professor Padraic Fallon from the Trinity College Dublin, Irland; Professor Susumu Nakae from the Tokyo University, Japan; and Dr. Ebba Brakenhielm from Rouen University; Professor Dr. Erik Näslund at the Karolinska Hospital.