Hao Liu

Dr. Hao Liu


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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18 July 2024 in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HCHaoran Chen
Haoran Chen
SFSuping Fang
Suping Fang
XZXudong Zhu
Xudong Zhu
HLHao Liu
Hao Liu
Graphical Created using Biorender.com.

15 July 2025 in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HCHaoran Chen
Haoran Chen
ZLZhen Li
Zhen Li
YYYuan Yue
Yuan Yue
XZXudong Zhu
Xudong Zhu
JWJiazheng Wang
Jiazheng Wang
HLHao Liu
Hao Liu
Introduction: The role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the progression, therapeutic resistance, and metastasis of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate how CAFs regulate the stemness of prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs), with a focus on the Wnt/β-catenin and SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling pathways.Methods: We assessed the expression of CAF and PCSC markers in xenograft tumor tissues from hormone-sensitive prostate cancer and CRPC mouse models using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The impact of CAFs on stemness markers, SDF-1, CXCR4, and Wnt pathway activation was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo.Results: The expression levels of CAF and PCSC markers were significantly elevated in CRPC tissues compared to hormone-sensitive tumors. Bioinformatics analysis indicated high expression of CXCR4 and CTNNB1 (β-catenin) in CRPC, with positive correlations to disease progression. CAFs enhanced PCSC stemness, while inhibition of Wnt3a or SDF-1 led to reduced stemness and pathway activity. In vivo, CAFs promoted CRPC tumor growth and significantly increased the expression of Wnt3a, β-catenin, TCF4, LEF1, SDF-1, and CXCR4, along with an elevated p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β ratio. Conversely, β-catenin and CXCR4 inhibitors suppressed tumor growth and downregulated Wnt signaling components.Discussion: β-Catenin and CXCR4 showed strong co-localization in xenograft tumors. These findings suggest that CAFs promote PCSC stemness and CRPC progression by activating the Wnt/β-catenin and SDF-1/CXCR4 pathways via Wnt3a and SDF-1 expression. These insights provide potential targets for managing CRPC.