CBM Seminar Series – Connecting Proliferation and Inflammation in Atherosclerosis: From YAP to Endothelial Reprogramming

The College of Biomedicine was pleased to host Prof. Li WANG, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at City University of Hong Kong, who delivered a seminar as part of the CBM Seminar Series on 12 October 2026. Prof. Wang's research focuses on the roles of hemodynamic shear stress, endothelial biology, and the Hippo signaling pathway in cardiovascular diseases, particularly atherosclerosis. He has made significant contributions to the understanding of vascular inflammation and endothelial regulation in health and disease.

In his seminar entitled "Connecting Proliferation and Inflammation in Atherosclerosis: From YAP to Endothelial Reprogramming", Prof. Wang discussed the intricate relationship between inflammatory and proliferative programs in atherosclerosis. He presented recent findings on the mechanosensitive transcriptional co-activator YAP and its role in endothelial activation, highlighting how YAP-regulated factors contribute to immune-cell recruitment and vascular inflammation. He also demonstrated how classical cell-cycle regulators may acquire inflammatory functions during disease progression, providing new insights into endothelial reprogramming and the molecular mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis.

The seminar attracted considerable interest from faculty members, researchers, and students, generating engaging discussions on vascular biology, cardiovascular disease mechanisms, and potential therapeutic strategies. Participants gained valuable insights into emerging research directions in atherosclerosis and the interplay between endothelial signaling, inflammation, and disease progression.

(*Disclaimer: For details of the academic content described in this write-up, please refer to the original abstract provided in the event poster.)