Jijun Hao, PhD

PhD. Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK

BSc. Department of Biochemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China

Professor: Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA, 2023 - present

Associate Professor: Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA, 2018 - 2023

Assistant Professor: Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA, 2012 - 2018

Research Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA, 2010 - 2012

Research Fellow, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA, 2004 - 2010

Stem cell biology, zebrafish-based drug screening and cancer biology.

My current research mainly focuses on 1) chemical approaches for stem cell/iPS cell cardiomyogenesis, 2) zebrafish-based drug screening, and 3) cancer biology.

By zebrafish-based screening, we have identified a number of small molecules which can modulate key signaling pathways such as BMP, Wnt/β-catenin and Hedgehog pathways. As these key signaling pathways are involved in stem cell fate decisions and many types of human diseases including cancer, the small molecules that modulate these key pathways may control stem cell differentiation as well as serve leads for cancer drug development.

American Heart Association

American Associaiton for Cancer Resarech

Western University of Health Sciences Research Committee, 2013 ~ Present

Research Advisory Committee, College of Veterinary Medicine,2012 ~ Present

Instructional Resource Committee,College of Veterinary Medicine,2012 ~ Present

Articles

2025

Kim, S.H. and Hao, J. (2025) “Recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for canine cognitive dysfunction” 86, (5), American Journal of Veterinary Research, DOI: https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.25.02.0053

2024

Kaur, G., Xie, C., Dong, C.Najera, J. Nguyen J.T. and *Hao, J(2024) "PDE4Dand miR-203 are promising biomarkers for canine atopic dermatitis", Mol Biol Rep 51, 651

Sun, J., Zhong, H., Kang, B., Lum, T., Liu,D., Liang, S.,*Hao, J. and *Guo, R. (2024) "Roles Of PD-L1 In Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Under Inflammatory Microenvironment", Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, 1–10.

2023

Xie, C., Wang, Z., Ba, Y., Aguilar, J., Kyan, A., Zhong, L., and *Hao, J. (2023) “BMP Signaling Inhibition Overcomes Chemoresistance of Prostate Cancer”, American Journal of Cancer Research, (accepted)

Hu, X. and *Hao. J. (2023) "Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Derivatives for Skin Rejuvenation", International Journal of Biomedical Science 19(1), 26-30

Najera,Jand*Hao,J(2023)“RecentAdvanceinMesenchymalStemCellsTherapyforAtopic Dermatitis”, Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, 124(2):181-187.

2022

Kaur, G., Ramirez, A., Xie, C., Clark, D., Dong, C., Maki, C., Ramos, T., Izadyar, F., Najera, SOL, Harb, J. and*Hao,J.(2022)“Adouble-blindedplacebo-controlledevaluationofadipose-derivedmesenchymalstem cellsintreatmentofcanineatopicdermatitis”.VeterinaryResearchCommunications,46(1):251-260.PMID: 34713306.

Meng, X., Wang, H., *Hao, J. (2022) “Recent Progress in Drug Development for Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva”. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 477, 2327–2334, PMID: 35536530.

2021

Xie, C., Lin, PJ. and *Hao, J. (2021) “Eggmanone Effectively Overcomes Prostate Cancer Cell Chemoresistance”, Biomedicines, 9(5), 538. PMID: 34066000.

GaoB,ChenJ,HanB,ZhangX,HaoJ,GiulianoAE,CuiY,CuiX.(2021)"Identificationoftriptonideasa therapeutic agentfor triplenegativebreast cancer treatment". Sci Rep. Jan 28;11(1):2408. PMID:33510281.

2020

Xie, C.; Jiang, W.; Lacroix, J.J.; Luo,Y.; *Hao, J. (2020) Insight into Molecular Mechanism for Activin A- Induced Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21, 6498. PMID: 32899497.

2019

Harb,J.,Lin,P.J.,and*Hao,J.(2019),“RecentDevelopmentofWntSignalingPathwayInhibitorsforCancer Therapeutics”, Current Oncology Reports, 21(2):12. PMID: 30715618.

Li J. H. and *Hao J. (2019) “Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases with Bioactive Components ofTripterygiumwilfordii”,TheAmericanJournalofChineseMedicine47(04)pp.769-785,PMID:31091976.

KouryJ.,RamirezA., XieC.,HarbJ,Dong C.,MakiC., RamosT.,IzadyarF.,ClarkD., Drechsler Y.,Kaur

G. and *Hao J. (2019) “Phosphodiesterase 4D, miR-203 and selected cytokines in the peripheral blood are associated with canine atopic dermatitis”, PLOS ONE, 14(6):e0218670, PMID: 31226136.

2018

Xie,C.,Ramirez,A.,Wang,Z,Chow,Mand*Hao,J.(2018)“ASimpleandSensitiveHPLC-MS/MSMethod for Quantification of Eggmanone in Rat Plasma and Its Application to Pharmacokinetics”, Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 153, p37-43. PMID: 29459234.

Li, H., Ha, H., Ding, X., Bae, C., Gazy, N., *Hao, J. and *Zhong, L (2018) “DMH4, a VEGFR2 Inhibitor, EffectivelySuppressesGrowthandInvasionofLungCancerCells”,JournalofAppliedBiomedicine,16,46- 50.

2017

Botello-Smitha, WM, Alsamaraha, A, Chatterjeea, P, Xie, C, Lacroixc, JJ, *Hao. J and *Luo, Y (2017) “Polymodal Allosteric Regulation of Type 1 Serine/1 Threonine Kinase 2 Receptors via a Conserved Electrostatic Lock”, PLOS Computational Biology 13(8): e1005711, PMID: 28827795.

*Hao,J,Unternaehrer,J,Cui,XJ,Cheng,NH,andOji,Y(2017)“RegulationofStemnessinCarcinomaCells”, Stem Cells International, Article ID 7681769, PMID:28819365.

Koury, J, Zhong, L,and *Hao, J (2017) “Targeting Signaling Pathways in Cancer Stem Cells for Cancer Treatment”, Stem Cells International, Article ID 2925869, PMID: 28356914.

Zhang X, Tian Y, Yang Y, *Hao J (2017) “Development of anticancer agents targeting the Hedgehogsignaling”. Cell Mol Life Sci.74, 2773–2782, PMID:28314894.

Hao, J., Unternaehrer, J., Cui, X., Cheng, N., Oji, Y. (2017) “Regulation of Stemness in Carcinoma Cells”, Stem Cell International (Special Journal Issue).

Taguchi T, Cho JY, Hao J, Nout-Lomas YS, Kang KS, Griffon DJ. (2017) “Influence of hypoxia on the stemness of umbilical cord matrix-derived mesenchymal stem cells cultured on chitosan films”, J Biomed Mater Res B Biomater. PMID: 28188976.

2016

WangZ,RavulaR,ShiL,SongY,YeungS,LiuM,LauB,Hao,J,WangJ,LamCW,ChowMS,HuangY. (2016) “Overcoming chemoresistance in prostate cancer with Chinese medicine Tripterygium wilfordii via multiple mechanisms”, Oncotarget. 7, 61246-61261. PMID: 27487134

Pang, J, Zuo, Y, Chen, Y, Song, L, Zhu, Q, Yu, J, Shan, C., Cai, Z., Hao, J, Kaplan, FS, Shore, EM, Zhang, K(2016) “ACVR1-Fc Suppresses BMP Signaling andChondro-osseous Differentiation in an in vitro Model of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva”, Bone. 92, 29-36. PMID: 27492611

Luo,Y,Alsamarah,A,Zhang,Kand*Hao,J(2016)“DevelopmentofNewTherapeuticAgentsfor Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva”, Current Molecular Medicine, 16, 1-8, PMID: 26695699.

Chinison, J, Aguilar JS, Avalos A, Huang, Y, Wang, Z, Cameron, DJ, and *Hao, J (2016) "Triptonide Effectively Inhibits Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling via C-terminal Transactivation Domain of β-catenin". Scientific Reports. 6, 32779. PMID: 27596363.

2015

Aguilar,JS,Begum,AN,Alvarez,J,Zhang,X,Hong,Yand *Hao,J(2015)“Directedcardiomyogenesis of human pluripotent stem cells by modulating Wnt/β-catenin and BMP signalingwith small molecules”, Biochemical Journal, 469 (2) 235-241. PMID: 26171831.

Alsamarah, A., LaCuran,AE., Oelschlaeger, P., *Hao, J and *Luo, Y. (2015) “Uncovering Molecular Bases Underlying Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor Inhibitor Selectivity”, PLoS One, 10(7):e0132221. PMID: 26133550.

Zhang, X., *Hao, J (2015) “Development of Anticancer Agents Targeting the Wnt/β-catenin Signaling”, American Journal of Cancer Research, 5(8):2344-2360, PMID: 26396911.

Begum, AN, Guoynes, G, Cho, J, Hao, J, Lutfy, K and Hong, Y (2015) “Rapid generation of sub-type, region-specificneuronsandneuralnetworksfromhumanpluripotentstemcell-derivedneurospheres”,Stem Cell Research, 15, 731-741. PMID: 26613348

Han, B.C, Qu, Y, Jin, Y.L, Yu, Y, Deng, N, Wawrowsky, K, Zhang, X, Li, N, Bose, S, Liu, Z, Wang, Q, Sakkiah, S, Abrol, R, Kang, S, Zhou, X, Johnson, J, Gao, B, Hao, J, Buttyan, R, Ray, P.S, Hung, M.C, Giuliano, A, Cui, X (2015) “FOXC1 Activates Smoothened-Independent Hedgehog Signaling in Basal-like Breast Cancer”, Cell Reports, 13, 1-13. PMID: 26565916

Williams CH, Hempel JE, Hao J, Frist AY, Williams MM, Fleming JT, Sulikowski GA, Cooper MK, Chiang C, Hong CC. (2015) “An In Vivo Chemical Genetic Screen Identifies Phosphodiesterase 4 as a PharmacologicalTargetforHedgehogSignalingInhibition”,CellReports,11,p43–50.PMID:25818300

2014

*HaoJ,GalindoCL,TranTL,SawyerDB.(2014)"Neuregulin-1βinducesembryonicstemcellcardiomyogenesis via ErbB3/ErbB2 receptors", Biochemical Journal. 458, 335-341. PMID: 24364879.

*Hao, J, Lee, R, Chang, A, Fan, J, Labib C, Parsa, C, Orlando, R, Andresen, B. and *Huang, Y (2014) “DMH1,ASmallMoleculeInhibitorofBMPTypeIReceptors,SuppressesGrowthandInvasionofLung Cancer”, PLoS One, 9, e90748. PMID: 24603907.

Hong,CC,Ao,AandHao,J(2014)"ChemicalBiologyinRegenerativeMedicine:BridgingStemCellsand Future Therapies”, John Wiley & Sons Inc. ISBN978-1-118-34959-5 (Book)

Sheng,CC,Hao,JandHong,CC.(2014)“ChemicallyInducedPluripotentStemCells(CiPSCs):APotential ChemicalBiologicalBreakthroughinReprogramming?” JohnWiley&SonsInc.ISBN:978-1-118-34959-5, 95-101.

2013

Sheng, CC, Zhou, L and *Hao, J (2013) “Current Stem Cell Delivery Methods for Myocardial Repair”, BioMed Research International, Article ID 547902, PMID: 23509740.

Hao, J, Ao, A, Zhou,L,Murphy, CK, Frist, AY, Keel, JJ, Throne, CA,Kim, K, Lee,E,Hong, CC.(2013) "Selective Small Molecule Targeting beta-Catenin Function Discovered by In Vivo Chemical Genetic Screen",Cell Reports 4, 898-904, PMID: 24012757.

Han, G.F, Wang, H.T, and *Hao, J (2013) "Molecular Mechanisms of Embryonic Stem Cell Pluripotency", Pluripotent Stem Cells", INTECH press, ISBN 978-953-51-1192-4, 283-299

2012

AoA,HaoJ,HopkinsCRandHongCC.(2012)“DMH1,aNovelBMPSmallMoleculeInhibitor,Increases Cardiomyocyte Progenitors and Promotes Cardiac Differentiation in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells”, PLoS One, 7, e41627. PMID: 22848549

2011

*Hao, J, Sawyer, DB., Hatzopoulos, AK and Hong, CC (2011) “Recent progress on chemical biology of pluripotent stem cell: self-renewal, reprogramming and cardiomyogenesis”, Recent Patents on Regenerative Medicine, 1, 263-274. PMID: 22787575

#Wang,H.,#*Hao,J,*Hong,CC.(2011)“Cardiacinductionofembryonicstemcellsbyasmallmolecule inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling”, ACS Chemical Biology, 6, 192–197 (# first author). PMID: 21077691

Ao,A,Williams,CH,*Hao,J,*Hong,CC.(2011)“Modifiedmouseembryonicstemcell-basedassayfor quantifying cardiogenic induction efficiency”, J Vis Exp., 50, 2656. PMID: 21540823

Ao,A.,Hao,J,Hong,CC.(2011)“Regenerativechemicalbiology:currentchallengesandfuturepotentials”, Chemistry & Biology, 18, 413-424. PMID: 21513877

Wiley,DM.,Kim,JD,Hao,J,Hong,CC.,Bautch,VL,Jin,SK(2011)“Distinctsignalingpathwaysregulate sprouting angiogenesis from the dorsal aorta and axial vein”, Nature Cell Biology, 13, 686–692. PMID: 21572418

Hao,J,Zhou,L,Hong,CC(2011)“Chemicalbiologyofpluripotentstemcells:Focusoncardiomyogenesis”, Embryonic Stem Cells - Recent Advances in Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Regenerative Medicine, INTECH, ISBN: 978-953-307-1985, 51-64

2010 and Before

Hao,J.,Daleo, MA and Hong, CC. (2010) “Crosstalk between mitogen activated protein kinase and phosphoinositide-3 kinase signalling pathways in development and disease”, Systems Biology for Signaling Networks, , Springer, New York, ISBN:978-144-195-7962, 505-529

Hao, J, Williams, C H., Webb, M E., Hong, CC. (2010) “Large scale zebrafish-based in vivo small molecule screen”, J. Vis. Exp., 46, 2243

Hao, J, Ho, JN, Lewis, JA, Karim, K, Daniels, RN, Gentry, PR, Hopkins, CR, Lindsley, CW and Hong CC. (2010) “In vivo structure activity relationship study of dorsomorphin analogs identifies selective VEGF and BMP inhibitors”,ACS Chemical Biology, 5, 245–253

Hao, J, Daleo, MA and Hong, CC (2010) “Crosstalk between mitogen activated protein kinase and phosphoinositide-3 kinase signalling pathways in development and disease”, Systems Biology for Signaling Networks, Springer, New York, ISBN: 978-144-195-7962, 505-529

Hao,J., Daleo MA, Murphy, CK, Yu, PB, Ho, JN, Hu J, Peterson, RT., Hatzopoulos, AK., Hong, CC. (2008) “Dorsomorphin, a Selective Small Molecule Inhibitor of BMP Signaling, Promotes Cardiomyogenesis in Embryonic Stem Cells”, PLoS ONE, 3, e2904

Hao, J., Vann, WF., Hinderlich, S. and Sundaramoorthy, M. (2006)“Elimination of 2-keto-3-dexoy-D-glycero-D-galacto-nonulosonic acid 9-phosphate synthase activity from human N-acetylneuraminic acid 9-phosphate synthase by a single mutation”, Biochem. J. 397, 195-201

Hao, J.,Balagurumoorthy, P., Sarilla, S. and Sundaramoorthy, M. (2005)“Cloning, expression and characterization of sialic acid synthases”, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 338,1507-1514

Hao, J..and Berry, A. (2004) “A thermostable variant of fructose bisphosphate aldolase constructed by directed evolution also shows increased stability in organic solvents”, Protein Eng, Des and Sel. 17, 689-697

1. Hao, J, Daleo MA, Murphy,CK, Yu, PB,Ho, JN,Hu J, Peterson, RT, Hatzopoulos, AK, Hong, CC. (2008) “Dorsomorphin, a Selective Small Molecule Inhibitor of BMP Signaling, Promotes Cardiomyogenesis in Embryonic Stem Cells”, PLoS ONE, 3, e2904. PMID: 18682835

2. Hao, J, Vann, WF, Hinderlich, S. and Sundaramoorthy, M. (2006) “Elimination of 2-keto-3-dexoy-D- glycero-D-galacto-nonulosonic acid 9-phosphate synthase activity from human N-acetylneuraminic acid 9-phosphate synthase by a single mutation”, Biochem. J. 397, 195-201. PMID: 16503877

3. Hao, J, Balagurumoorthy, P., Sarilla, S. and Sundaramoorthy, M. (2005) “Cloning, expression and characterization of sialic acid synthases”, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 338, 1507-1514. PMID: 16274664

4. Hao, J and Berry, A. (2004) “A thermostable variant of fructose bisphosphate aldolase constructed by directed evolution also shows increased stability in organic solvents”, Protein Eng, Des and Sel. 17, 689- 697. PMID: 15531627

Book,BookChapters,andJournal Issue

1. Hao, J., Unternaehrer, J., Cui, X., Cheng, N., Oji, Y. (2017) “Regulation of Stemness in Carcinoma Cells”, Stem Cell International (Special Journal Issue).

2. Hong,CC,Ao,AandHao,J(2014)"ChemicalBiologyinRegenerativeMedicine:BridgingStemCellsand Future Therapies”, John Wiley & Sons Inc. ISBN978-1-118-34959-5 (Book)

3. Sheng,CC,Hao,JandHong,CC.(2014)“ChemicallyInducedPluripotentStemCells(CiPSCs):APotential ChemicalBiologicalBreakthroughinReprogramming?” JohnWiley&SonsInc.ISBN:978-1-118-34959-5, 95-101.

4. Han, G.F, Wang, H.T, and *Hao, J (2013) "Molecular Mechanisms of Embryonic Stem Cell Pluripotency", Pluripotent Stem Cells", INTECH press, ISBN 978-953-51-1192-4, 283-299

5. Hao,J,Zhou,L,Hong,CC(2011)“Chemicalbiologyofpluripotentstemcells:Focusoncardiomyogenesis”, Embryonic Stem Cells - Recent Advances in Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Regenerative Medicine, INTECH, ISBN: 978-953-307-1985, 51-64

6. Hao, J, Daleo, MA and Hong, CC (2010) “Crosstalk between mitogen activated protein kinase and phosphoinositide-3 kinase signalling pathways in development and disease”, Systems Biology for Signaling Networks, Springer, New York, ISBN: 978-144-195-7962, 505-529

Patents

Charles C. Hong, Corey R. Hopkins, Antonis K. Hatzopoulos, Craig W. Lindsley, Jijun Hao. “Compounds and methods useful for directing stem cell differentiation”, Patent number: US9040694B1

Charles C. Hong, Charles H. Williams, Jonathan Hempel, T K Feaster, Don H. Rubin, Gary Sulikowski, Jijun Hao, Audrey Frist. “Compounds and methods for inhibition of hedgehog signaling and phosphodiesterase”. Patent number: 10329304

Charles C. Hong, Charles H. Williams, Jonathan Hempel, T K Feaster, Don H. Rubin, Gary Sulikowski, Jijun Hao, Audrey Frist. “Compounds and Methods for Inhibition of Hedgehog Signaling and Phosphodiesterase”. Patent number: US2017190717A1

Selected Achievements in Small Molecule Development

1) Developed DMH1, a small molecule inhibitor of BMP signalling.

2) Developed DMH4, a small molecule inhibitor of VEGF signaling.

3) Discovered Windorphen, a small molecule inhibitor of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling

4) Discovered Eggmanone, a small molecularallostericinhibitor of PDE4.