Hongmin Ni, M.D.

Professional Background

Dr. Ni is an Associate Professor in the department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics at the University of Kansas Medical Center. After more than 6 years working as a surgeon, inspired by a strong desire to do basic biomedical research, she started her scientific career. Her research is focused on novel mechanisms in regulation lipid metabolism, NAFLD and obesity, necroptosis in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury and autophagy in alcohol- or drug-induced liver injury and tumorigenesis. Dr. Ni's long-term research interests are to understand the pathophysiologic mechanisms of lipid metabolism, cell death and organelle-organelle interactions in the development and progression of steatotic liver disease and eventually identify novel therapeutic interventions for the disease.

• MD, Clinical medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, China
• MS, Clinical Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore

• Society of Toxicology (SOT), Member, 2022 - Present
• American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, Member, 2020 - Present
• Research Society on Alcoholism, Member, 2018 - Present

---

Research

Overview

1. Novel Mechanisms Regulating Lipid Metabolism, MASLD, and Liver Tumorigenesis
Disrupted lipid metabolism is closely associated with metabolic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion plays a critical role in maintaining hepatic lipid homeostasis, and impaired VLDL secretion can lead to hepatic steatosis and hypolipidemia. Understanding how high-fat diets impair VLDL secretion and how MASLD progresses to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and liver cancer will facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies for disease prevention and treatment. Our research focuses on the molecular mechanisms regulating lipid metabolism, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mitochondria interactions, and phospholipid biosynthesis using biochemical approaches, fluorescence imaging, electron microscopy, and transcriptomic analyses.

2. Effects and Mechanisms of Environmental Pollutants in Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease (ALD)
Environmental pollutants are increasingly recognized as contributors to metabolic dysfunction and liver disease through their effects on lipid metabolism. Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) remains one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases worldwide; however, the interactions between environmental pollutants and alcohol-induced liver injury are not well understood. To address this knowledge gap, we have established animal models that combine exposure to environmental pollutants and alcohol consumption. Using these models, we investigate the effects of pollutant exposure on lipid metabolism, liver injury, and disease progression in ALD.

3. Novel Mechanisms Regulating Hepatokine Secretion and Obesity
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide and is a major risk factor for numerous metabolic diseases. As a central metabolic and secretory organ, the liver contributes to systemic metabolic regulation through the production and release of liver-derived secretory proteins known as hepatokines. Hepatokines, including adropin, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), fetuin-A, and others, function through endocrine and paracrine pathways to regulate energy balance, glucose metabolism, and lipid homeostasis. Dysregulation of hepatokine production and secretion contributes to obesity and related metabolic disorders, while obesity itself can further alter hepatokine signaling. Our research aims to uncover novel molecular mechanisms that regulate hepatokine secretion and determine how these pathways influence obesity and metabolic health.

• Ma Xiaowen, Chen Allen, Melo Luma, Clemente‐Sanchez Ana, Chao Xiaojuan, Ahmadi AliReza, Peiffer Brandon, Sun Zhaoli, Sesaki Hiromi, Li Tiangang, Wang Xiaokun, Liu Wanqing, Bataller Ramon, Ni Hong‐Min, Ding Wen‐Xing. 2023. Loss of hepatic DRP1 exacerbates alcoholic hepatitis by inducing megamitochondria and mitochondrial maladaptation. Hepatology, 77 (1), 159-175. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.32604
• Jiang Xiaoxiao, Chen Allen, Ding Wen-Xing, Ni Hong-Min. 2023. VMP1 regulates hepatic lipoprotein secretion and NASH independent of autophagy. Autophagy, 19 (1), 367-369. https://doi.org/10.1080/15548627.2022.2080958
• Jiang Xiaoxiao, Fulte Sam, Deng Fengyan, Chen Shiyuan, Xie Yan, Chao Xiaojuan, He XiC., Zhang Yuxia, Li Tiangang, Li Feng, McCoin Colin, Morris E.Matthew, Thyfault John, Liu Wanqing, Li Linheng, Davidson NicholasO., Ding Wen-Xing, Ni Hong-Min. 2022. Lack of VMP1 impairs hepatic lipoprotein secretion and promotes non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Journal of Hepatology, 77 (3), 619-631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2022.04.010
• Chen Hao, McKeen Tara, Chao Xiaojuan, Chen Allen, Deng Fengyan, Jaeschke Hartmut, Ding Wen-Xing, Ni Hong-Min. 2022. The role of MLKL in Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury of Alcoholic Steatotic Livers. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 18 (3), 1096-1106. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.67533
• Chao Xiaojuan, Wang Shaogui, Fulte Sam, Ma Xiaowen, Ahamed Forkan, Cui Wei, Liu Zhipeng, Rülicke Thomas, Zatloukal Kurt, Zong Wei-Xing, Liu Wanqing, Ni Hong-Min, Ding Wen-Xing. 2022. Hepatocytic p62 suppresses ductular reaction and tumorigenesis in mouse livers with mTORC1 activation and defective autophagy. Journal of Hepatology, 76 (3), 639-651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2021.10.014
• Li Yuan, Chao Xiaojuan, Wang Shaogui, Williams JessicaA., Ni Hong-Min, Ding Wen-Xing. 2020. Role of Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin and Autophagy in Alcohol-Induced Adipose Atrophy and Liver Injury. The American Journal of Pathology, 190 (1), 158-175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajpath.2019.09.023
• Ni Hong‐Min, Chao Xiaojuan, Yang Hua, Deng Fengyan, Wang Shaogui, Bai Qingyun, Qian Hui, Cui Yue, Cui Wei, Shi Yinghong, Zong Wei‐Xing, Wang Zhengtao, Yang Li, Ding Wen‐Xing. 2019. Dual Roles of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin in Regulating Liver Injury and Tumorigenesis in Autophagy‐Defective Mouse Liver. Hepatology, 70 (6), 2142-2155. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.30770
• Ni Hong-Min, Chao Xiaojuan, Kaseff Joshua, Deng Fengyan, Wang Shaogui, Shi Ying-Hong, Li Tiangang, Ding Wen-Xing, Jaeschke Hartmut. 2019. Receptor-Interacting Serine/Threonine-Protein Kinase 3 (RIPK3)–Mixed Lineage Kinase Domain-Like Protein (MLKL)–Mediated Necroptosis Contributes to Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury of Steatotic Livers. The American Journal of Pathology, 189 (7), 1363-1374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajpath.2019.03.010
• Chao Xiaojuan, Wang Shaogui, Zhao Katrina, Li Yuan, Williams JessicaA., Li Tiangang, Chavan Hemantkumar, Krishnamurthy Partha, He XiC., Li Linheng, Ballabio Andrea, Ni Hong-Min, Ding Wen-Xing. 2018. Impaired TFEB-Mediated Lysosome Biogenesis and Autophagy Promote Chronic Ethanol-Induced Liver Injury and Steatosis in Mice. Gastroenterology, 155 (3), 865-879.e12. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2018.05.027
• Ni Hong-Min, McGill MitchellR., Chao Xiaojuan, Du Kuo, Williams JessicaA., Xie Yuchao, Jaeschke Hartmut, Ding Wen-Xing. 2016. Removal of acetaminophen protein adducts by autophagy protects against acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice. Journal of Hepatology, 65 (2), 354-362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2016.04.025