Dr Wenhao Li

Wenhao Li

Clinical Lecturer in Hepatology

Blizard Institute
Queen Mary University of London

Research

Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease, type 2 diabetes, gut-adipose-liver axis, liver immunology

Interests

Have expertise in in vitro models of liver cell injury (2D, spheroids). Would like to use organ on a chip to interrogate gut-adipose-liver axis in the pathogenesis of steatotic liver disease using human cells.

Publications

solid heart iconPublications of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models

2025

Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: A Reconstructed Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Elsevier 
01-09-2025
Current Surveillance Strategy Is Less Effective for Detecting Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Non-Viral and Non-Cirrhotic Liver Disease.
Spiers J, Li W, Aravinthan AD, Bannaga A, Caddick K, Culver EL, Faulkes RE, Gordon V et al.
Liver Cancer, Karger Publishers, 1-14.  
26-03-2025

2024

Endogenous C-type natriuretic peptide offsets the pathogenesis of steatohepatitis, hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension
Perez Ternero C, Li W, Aubdool AA, Goldin RD, Loy J, Devalia K, Alazawi W, Hobbs AJ
Pnas Nexus, Oxford University Press (Oup), pgae579-pgae579.  
30-12-2024
P32 Toll-like receptor (TLR)5 mediates deleterious effects of lipid injury and fibrogenic responses in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and clinical outcomes
Li W, Boot J, Mein C, Loy J, Devalia K, Kendall T, Ramos MJ, Fallowfield J et al.
P32 Toll-like receptor (TLR)5 mediates deleterious effects of lipid injury and fibrogenic responses in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and clinical outcomes. 
01-10-2024
Letter to the Editor: Future-proofing transplant hepatology training: Shared learnings from “across the pond”
Li W, Brennan PN, Tavabie OD
Liver Transplantation, Wolters Kluwer vol. 31 (1), e1-e2.  
15-08-2024
Influence of individuals’ determinants including vaccine type on cellular and humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination
Chambers ES, Cai W, Vivaldi G, Jolliffe DA, Perdek N, Li W, Faustini SE, Gibbons JM et al.
Npj Vaccines, Springer Science and Business Media Llc vol. 9 (1) 
22-05-2024
Progress is impossible without change: understanding the evolving nomenclature of steatotic liver disease and its effect on hepatology practice
Brennan PN, Tavabie OD, Li W, Marjot T, Corless L, Fallowfield JA, Jarvis H, Mansour D et al.
The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Elsevier vol. 9 (6), 577-582.  
28-02-2024

2023

Influence of age, sex, body habitus, vaccine type and anti-S serostatus on cellular and humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination
Chambers ES, Cai W, Vivaldi G, Jolliffe DA, Perdek N, Li W, Faustini SE, Gibbons JM et al.
In Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory 
29-09-2023
National study of NAFLD management identifies variation in delivery of care in the UK between 2019 to 2022
Li W, Sheridan D, McPherson S, Alazawi W, Abeysekera K, Marjot T, Brennan P, Mahgoub S et al.
Jhep Reports, Elsevier vol. 5 (12) 
28-08-2023
WhatsApp group discussion for smoking relapse prevention: a randomised controlled trial (abridged secondary publication).
Cheung DYT, Chan HCH, Conway M, Wong CKH, Li WHC, Wang MP, Lam TH
Hong Kong Medical Journal vol. 29 Suppl 3 (3), 16-18.  
01-06-2023
WED-406 Toll-like receptor 5 signalling mediates pro-inflammatory and fibrogenic responses in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Li W, Garrido P, Mir IG, Waller K, Jong AV-D, Brindley JH, Khan W, Hood G et al.
Journal of Hepatology, Elsevier vol. 78 
01-06-2023
THU-447 The national audit of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) identifies variations and shortfalls in delivery of care in the UK
Li W, Sheridan D, Mcpherson S, Alazawi W
Journal of Hepatology, Elsevier vol. 78 
01-06-2023
Regional variation in characteristics of patients with decompensated cirrhosis admitted to hospitals in the UK
UK TTCFRAAIH, Tavabie OD, Abeysekera KW, Brennan PN, Marjot T, Kronsten VT, Li W, Nayagam JS et al.
The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Elsevier vol. 8 (7), 604-606.  
03-05-2023
Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the Resilience Scale for Children: abridged secondary publication.
Chung JOK, Li WHC, Chan GCF, Chiu SY, Ho KY
Hong Kong Medical Journal vol. 29 Suppl 2 (1), 12-14.  
01-02-2023
UK national trainee survey of hepatology training, research and the future workforce
Li W, Abbas N, Brennan PN, Mcdowell H, Navaratnam J, Phoolchund A, Scott R, Shearer J et al.
Frontline Gastroenterology vol. 14 (4), 326-333.  
06-01-2023
An overview of the challenges and key initiatives in hepatology practice in the UK in 2022: a cautionary tale, but reasons for optimism - British Association for the Study of the Liver (BASL) Annual Meeting 2022 Conference Report.
Wells G, Spiers J, Williams FR, Li W, Tavabie OD, Brennan PN
Clinical Medicine vol. 23 (1), 73-75.  
01-01-2023

2022

Single-cell phenotypes of peripheral blood immune cells in early and late stages of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Waller KJ, Saihi H, Li W, Brindley JH, De Jong A, Syn W-K, Bessant C, Alazawi W
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, The Korean Association For The Study of The Liver vol. 29 (2), 417-432.  
21-11-2022
Vitamin D Supplementation Does Not Influence SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Efficacy or Immunogenicity: Sub-Studies Nested within the CORONAVIT Randomised Controlled Trial
Jolliffe DA, Vivaldi G, Chambers ES, Cai W, Li W, Faustini SE, Gibbons JM, Pade C et al.
Nutrients, Mdpi Ag vol. 14 (18), 3821-3821.  
16-09-2022
Correlation Between Postvaccination Anti-Spike Antibody Titers and Protection Against Breakthrough Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study
Vivaldi G, Jolliffe DA, Faustini S, Shields AM, Holt H, Perdek N, Talaei M, Tydeman F et al.
The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 226 (11), 1903-1908.  
30-07-2022
Influence of vitamin D supplementation on SARS-CoV-2 vaccine efficacy and immunogenicity
Jolliffe DA, Vivaldi G, Chambers ES, Cai W, Li W, Faustini SE, Gibbons JM, Pade C et al.
In Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory 
17-07-2022
What’s new in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?
Spiers J, Brindley JH, Li W, Alazawi W
Frontline Gastroenterology, Bmj vol. 13 (e1), e102-e108.  
31-05-2022
Quality standards for the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): consensus recommendations from the British Association for the Study of the Liver and British Society of Gastroenterology NAFLD Special Interest Group
McPherson S, Armstrong MJ, Cobbold JF, Corless L, Anstee QM, Aspinall RJ, Barclay ST, Brennan PN et al.
The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Elsevier vol. 7 (8), 755-769.  
28-04-2022
The contribution of daytime sleepiness to impaired quality of life in NAFLD in an ethnically diverse population
Li W, Kadler BK, Brindley JH, Hood G, Devalia K, Loy J, Syn W-K, Alazawi W
Scientific Reports, Springer Nature vol. 12 (1) 
24-03-2022
Physician trainee research collaboratives: a mixed methods exploration of UK experience
Kavanagh E, Fernandes L, Li W, Roycroft M, FitzPatrick M
Clinical Medicine, Elsevier vol. 22 (2), 119-124.  
01-03-2022
Correlation between post-vaccination titres of combined IgG, IgA, and IgM anti-Spike antibodies and protection against breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection: a population-based longitudinal study (COVIDENCE UK)
Vivaldi G, Jolliffe DA, Faustini S, Holt H, Perdek N, Talaei M, Tydeman F, Chambers ES et al.
In Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory 
13-02-2022
The β-NGF/TrkA Signalling Pathway Is Associated With the Production of Anti-Nucleoprotein IgG in Convalescent COVID-19
Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers vol. 12 
14-01-2022
The growing prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), determined by fatty liver index, amongst young adults in the United States. A 20-year experience
Li W, Ng CH, Quek J, Chan KE, Tan C, Zeng RW, Yong JN, Tay H et al.
Metabolism and Target Organ Damage, Oae Publishing vol. 2 (4), null-null.  
01-01-2022

2021

Relationships between resilience and quality of life in parents of children with cancer
Luo YH, Li WHC, Cheung AT, Ho LLK, Xia W, He XL, Zhang JP, Chung JOK
Journal of Health Psychology, Sage Publications vol. 27 (5), 1048-1056.  
31-01-2021
Physical activity for pediatric cancer survivors: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Cheung AT, Li WHC, Ho LLK, Ho KY, Chan GCF, Chung JOK
Journal of Cancer Survivorship, Springer Nature vol. 15 (6), 876-889.  
03-01-2021
Undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnoea is a major component in NAFLD quality of life impairment
Li W, Kadler BK, Brindley JH, Berryman V, Preston J, Pattrick M, Sutcliffe C, Hood G et al.
 
01-01-2021

2020

Brief mindfulness training for smoking cessation in Chinese women in workplaces: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Weng X, Luk TT, Lau OS, Suen YN, Lee JJ, Li WH-C, Kwok JYY, Lam TH et al.
Addictive Behaviors, Elsevier vol. 113 
25-09-2020
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Li W, Alazawi W
Clinical Medicine, Elsevier vol. 20 (5), 509-512.  
01-09-2020
Socioeconomic Factors Associated With Liver-Related Mortality From 1985 to 2015 in 36 Developed Countries
Li W, Kemos P, Salciccioli JD, Marshall DC, Shalhoub J, Alazawi W
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Elsevier vol. 19 (8), 1698-1707.e13.  
22-08-2020
Effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy sample at outdoor smoking hotspots for initiating quit attempts and use of smoking cessation services: a protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial
Cheung YTD, Chan CHH, Ho KS, Tang C, Lau CWH, Li WHC, Wang MP, Lam TH
Bmj Open, Bmj vol. 10 (4) 
01-04-2020

2019

Obesity Predicts Liver Function Testing and Abnormal Liver Results
Li W, Homer K, Hull S, Boomla K, Robson J, Alazawi W
Obesity, Wiley vol. 28 (1), 132-138.  
05-12-2019
Chat-based instant messaging support integrated with brief interventions for smoking cessation: a community-based, pragmatic, cluster-randomised controlled trial
Wang MP, Luk TT, Wu Y, Li WH, Cheung DY, Kwong AC, Lai V, Chan SS et al.
The Lancet Digital Health, Elsevier vol. 1 (4), e183-e192.  
31-07-2019
FRI-356-Single cell peripheral innate and adaptive immune signature of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by cytometry time of flight
Waller K, Jong AV-D, Li W, Lowe R, Kemos P, Syn W-K, Alazawi W
 
01-04-2019
FRI-279-Stat2 is a pathogenic factor in human non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and mouse models of liver injury and mediates fatty acid-induced Inflammasome activation in hepatocytes
Li W, Britton G, Kudo H, Goldin RD, Alazawi W
 
01-04-2019

2018

Relationships among resilience, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents
Chung J, Lam K, Ho K, Cheung A, Ho L, Gibson F, Li W
Journal of Health Psychology, Sage Publications vol. 25 (13-14), 2396-2405.  
19-09-2018
Students' approaches to learning in a clinical practicum: A psychometric evaluation based on item response theory
Zhao Y, Kuan HK, Chung JOK, Chan CKY, Li WHC
Nurse Education Today, Elsevier vol. 66, 179-186.  
16-04-2018
PS-062 Prevalence and explanatory factors for liver function testing and abnormality in a population-based study of children and young people
Li W, Homer K, Boomla K, Robson J, Hull S, Alazawi W
 
01-04-2018
Small-Bowel Obstruction Due to Strongyloides stercoralis Infection
Li W, Chattree A
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Elsevier vol. 17 (6), a41-a42.  
17-03-2018
Comparison of two approaches in achieving smoking abstinence among patients in an outpatient clinic: A Phase 2 randomized controlled trial
Ho KY, Li WHC, Wang MP, Lam KKW, Lam TH, Chan SSC
Patient Education and Counseling, Elsevier vol. 101 (5), 885-893.  
08-02-2018
Does Electronic Cigarette Use Predict Abstinence from Conventional Cigarettes among Smokers in Hong Kong?
Wu SY-D, Wang MP, Li WH, Kwong AC, Lai VW, Lam TH
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Mdpi vol. 15 (3) 
01-02-2018
Factors Influencing Global Trends in Liver-Related Mortality - an Observational Study from 1985 to 2015
Li W, Salciccioli JD, Marshall D, Shalhoub J, Alazawi W
 
01-01-2018

2017

Paternal smoking and maternal protective behaviors at home on infant’s saliva cotinine levels
Wang M-P, Suen Y-N, Wong BY-M, Li WH-C, Koh DS-Q, Lam T-H, Chan SS-C
Pediatric Research, Springer Nature vol. 83 (5), 936-942.  
13-12-2017
Intervention With Brief Cessation Advice Plus Active Referral for Proactively Recruited Community Smokers: A Pragmatic Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial
Wang MP, Suen YN, Li WH-C, Lam CO-B, Wu SY-D, Kwong AC-S, Lai VW, Chan SS et al.
Jama Internal Medicine, American Medical Association (Ama) vol. 177 (12), 1790-1797.  
01-12-2017
Non-invasive markers of liver fibrosis in fatty liver disease are unreliable in people of South Asian descent
De Silva S, Li W, Kemos P, Brindley JH, Mecci J, Samsuddin S, Chin-Aleong J, Feakins RM et al.
Frontline Gastroenterology, Bmj vol. 9 (2) 
16-11-2017
PWE-075 Non-invasive markers of liver fibrosis in fatty liver disease are unreliable in people of south asian descent
De Silva S, Li W, Kemos P, Brindley J, Mecci J, Samsuddin S, Chin-Aleong J, Feakins R et al.
Liver. 
17-06-2017
A brief, tailored smoking cessation intervention for smokers with diabetes mellitus in Hong Kong.
Lam TH, Li WH, Wang MP, Cheung YT, Cheung DY, Ho KY, Tan KC, Chan SS
Hong Kong Medical Journal vol. 23 Suppl 2 (3), 10-11.  
01-06-2017
Electronic cigarette use is not associated with quitting of conventional cigarettes in youth smokers
Wang MP, Li WH, Wu Y, Lam TH, Chan SS
Pediatric Research, Springer Nature vol. 82 (1), 14-18.  
24-05-2017
Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Caused by Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangectasia
Li W, Kotha S, Joshi D
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Elsevier vol. 15 (7), a25-a26.  
22-03-2017
Brief Advice on Smoking Reduction Versus Abrupt Quitting for Smoking Cessation in Chinese Smokers: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Wang MP, Li WH, Cheung YT, Lam OB, Wu Y, Kwong AC, Lai VW, Chan SS et al.
Nicotine & Tobacco Research, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 20 (1), 67-72.  
09-02-2017
An Evaluation of the Youth Quitline Service Young Hong Kong Smokers
Li WHC, Chan SSC, Wang MP, Ho KY, Cheung YTY, Chan VWF, Lam TH
Journal of Adolescent Health, Elsevier vol. 60 (5), 584-591.  
19-01-2017
SAT-320 Blood-test based assessment of liver fibrosis, but not transient elastography, is less accurate in NAFLD patients of South Asian compared to White ethnicity
De Silva S, Li W, Kemos P, Brindley JH, Feakins R, Chinaleong J, Samsuddin S, Foster GR et al.
 
01-01-2017

2016

Towards international consensus on patient harm: perspectives on pressure injury policy
Jackson D, Hutchinson M, Barnason S, Li W, Mannix J, Neville S, Piper D, Power T et al.
Journal of Nursing Management, Hindawi vol. 24 (7), 902-914.  
23-05-2016
Nurses' knowledge of advance directives and perceived confidence in end‐of‐life care: a cross‐sectional study in five countries
Coffey A, McCarthy G, Weathers E, Friedman MI, Gallo K, Ehrenfeld M, Chan S, Li WHC et al.
International Journal of Nursing Practice, Wiley vol. 22 (3), 247-257.  
28-01-2016

2015

Helping cancer patients quit smoking by increasing their risk perception: a study protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial
Li WHC, Chan SSC, Wang KMP, Lam TH
Bmc Cancer, Springer Nature vol. 15 (1) 
30-06-2015

2014

Effect of therapeutic play on pre- and post-operative anxiety and emotional responses in Hong Kong Chinese children: a randomised controlled trial.
Li WHC, Chan SSC, Wong EML, Kwok MC, Lee ITL
Hong Kong Medical Journal vol. 20 Suppl 7, 36-39.  
01-12-2014

2013

Nurses' preferred end‐of‐life treatment choices in five countries
Coffey A, McCarthy G, Weathers E, Friedman MI, Gallo K, Ehrenfeld M, Itzhaki M, Chan S et al.
International Nursing Review, Wiley vol. 60 (3), 313-319.  
08-04-2013

2012

Effectiveness of an adventure-based training programme in promoting the psychological well-being of primary schoolchildren
Li WH, Chung JO, Ho EK
Journal of Health Psychology, Sage Publications vol. 18 (11), 1478-1492.  
07-12-2012
The impact of cancer on the psychosocial well-being and quality of life of Hong Kong Chinese children
Li WHC
In Pediatric Cancer 15-29.  
01-12-2012
Developing and evaluating an empowerment programme in promoting the psychosocial well-being and quality of life of childhood cancer survivors: A pilot study
Li WHC
In Pediatric Cancer 97-118.  
01-12-2012
The psychosocial well-being and quality of life of childhood cancer survivors: An exploratory study
Li WHC
In Pediatric Cancer 75-96.  
01-12-2012
Understanding how children coped with cancer: An essential prerequisite for designing appropriate psycho-educational interventions
Li WHC
In Pediatric Cancer 55-74.  
01-12-2012
Effectiveness of therapeutic play intervention in promoting the psychosocial well-being of children hospitalized with cancer
Li WHC
In Pediatric Cancer 31-54.  
01-12-2012
Effectiveness of a play-integrated primary one preparatory programme to enhance a smooth transition for children
Li WH, Mak YW, Chan SS, Chu AK, Lee EY, Lam T
Journal of Health Psychology, Sage Publications vol. 18 (1), 10-25.  
09-02-2012
Pediatric Cancer
Li W
 
01-01-2012
Preface
Li W
Pediatric Cancer, vii-xv.  
01-01-2012

2011

The effectiveness of therapeutic play, using virtual reality computer games, in promoting the psychological well‐being of children hospitalised with cancer
Li WH, Chung JO, Ho EK
Journal of Clinical Nursing, Wiley vol. 20 (15‐16), 2135-2143.  
08-06-2011

2010

Building up competence for student nurses in clinical ethical decisionmaking
Li WHC
In Advances in Medicine and Biology 233-244.  
01-01-2010
Barriers to evidence-based practice: Baccalaureate nursing student’s perspective
Li WHC
In Advances in Medicine and Biology 245-256.  
01-01-2010

2009

Factorial structure of the Chinese version of the 12‐item General Health Questionnaire in adolescents
Li WH, Chung JO, Chui MM, Chan PS
Journal of Clinical Nursing, Wiley vol. 18 (23), 3253-3261.  
10-11-2009
Enhancing the efficacy of psychoeducational interventions for paediatric patients in a randomised controlled trial: methodological considerations
Li WH, Chung OK
Journal of Clinical Nursing, Wiley vol. 18 (21), 3013-3021.  
07-10-2009

The β-NGF/TrkA signalling pathway is associated with the production of anti- nucleoprotein IgG in convalescent COVID-19
In Medrxiv 
Mediators of inflammation in the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and fibrosis
Li W
 

Grants

solid heart iconGrants of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models
bullet iconTLR5 axis as a therapeutic target in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Wenhao Li
£235,694 MCSBHT Medical College of St Bartholomew's Hospital Trust
01-08-2020 - 30-11-2023