Faculty profile

Ren-Ke Li

ResearcherCardiovascular SurgeryUniversity of Toronto

This profile is built from public research funding records (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) and PubMed. We have not imported them from a University of Toronto directory, so their courses may be missing. Find their university profile.

Ren-Ke Li

Researcher

Cardiovascular Surgery

Health Sciences

University of Toronto

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Supervision signals

Has led research grants, which requires an independent research appointment. Ask their department whether they supervise graduate students.
31 publications in the last five years, latest in 2026.
Senior (last) author on 14 recent papers, a sign of leading a research group.
Principal investigator on 7 research grants (6 CIHR, 1 NSERC), most recently in 2023.
Supervisor on 4 trainee awards (4 CIHR), most recently in 2017.

These signals come from public records, including CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions. Ask the professor or the graduate program whether they are taking new students.

Academic metrics

189

Publications

173

Citations

Collaborators

Grants

Publications by year

Counts cover the publications linked to this profile. Citations and the h-index appear when the source records them.

Profiles and links

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Signals and details

Research

Aging Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure Tissue Engineering Bone Marrow Niche Cardiac Regeneration Cytokines Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Latest papers

A 3D-printed extravascular stent containing sirtuin-3 engineered human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells maintains venous graft patency.
Stem cell research & therapy · 2026
ALY688 Protects Against Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Direct Effects and Rab8a-Dependent Extracellular Vesicles.
Journal of extracellular vesicles · 2026
B cells drive CD4 T cell immunosenescence and age-associated health decline.
Science immunology · 2026

All 189 publications

Latest funding

Rejuvenation of the Aged Bone Marrow Niche Restores Hematopoietic Stem Cell Function for Cardiac Repair and Regeneration
CIHR · 2023 · Nominated PI
$914,176
Rescue Electrical Conduction of Heart Scar Tissue to Diminish Cardiac Arrhythmia
NSERC · 2018 · Principal investigator
$271,119
Extracellular vesicles are key mediators of cardiac rejuvenation and repair
CIHR · 2017 · Supervisor
$90,000

All 16 grants and awards

From the 150 most recent of 189 publications.

A 3D-printed extravascular stent containing sirtuin-3 engineered human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells maintains venous graft patency.

Liu K, Sun X, Jiao X, Chao L, Zhang B, Liu C, Wu J, Huang M, Cai P, Li X, Zhao Y, Tian X, Li RK, Chen W, Tian H

Stem cell research & therapy2026

DOI: 10.1186/s13287-026-05127-w PMID: 42351307

ALY688 Protects Against Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Direct Effects and Rab8a-Dependent Extracellular Vesicles.

Sung HK, Tang J, Lei Y, Nguyen K, Tam E, Wu J, Li RK, Richard V, Borchers CH, Antounians L, Burger D, Zani A, Sweeney G

Journal of extracellular vesicles2026

DOI: 10.1002/jev2.70357 PMID: 42667673

B cells drive CD4 T cell immunosenescence and age-associated health decline.

Khan S, Chakraborty M, Wu F, Chen N, Wang T, Chan YT, Sayad A, Kotlyar M, Alibhai FJ, Woo M, Li RK, Husain M, Jurisica I, Gehring AJ, Ohashi PS, Furman D, Tsai S, Winer S, Winer DA

Science immunology2026

DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adv7615 PMID: 41616067

ALY688 confers cardioprotection through macrophage TGFβ-mediated Treg/Th17 dependent multi-organ responses.

Tang J, Sung HK, Lei Y, Teerawongsuwan S, Rungsiwiwut R, Wannaiampikul S, Chen J, Ridany I, Richard V, Borchers C, Kim Y, Cho SG, Coquant G, Corr SC, Wu J, Li RK, Wang C, Abdul-Sater AA, Sweeney G

Pharmacological research2026

DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2026.108359 PMID: 42521105

Three-dimensional reconfigurable magnetic microswarms with boundary-transcending capabilities.

Zhang P, Xu P, Pan P, Sun Y, Wang S, Zuo R, Zhang C, Tang W, Wang T, Wang Y, Sun M, Zhang Q, Zhou Y, Wang Y, Dai J, Law J, Dou W, Qu J, Li RK, Sun Y, Liu X

Science advances2026

DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aeh4267 PMID: 42715297

A conductive polymer restores connexin43 expression through the suppression of mitogen-activated protein kinases to improve intercellular communication and alleviate atrial fibrillation.

Zhang CY, Fan C, Li SH, Wu J, Peng YZ, Sung HW, Liu S, Li RK

Acta biomaterialia2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2025.02.058 PMID: 40023467

Noninvasive assessment of a bioconductive patch for treating atrial fibrillation with magnetic resonance imaging.

Dychiao AT, Lu TH, Peng SY, Fan C, Song S, Zhang C, Wang M, Shi S, Wu J, Li SH, Chang Y, Sung HW, Li RK

Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2025.01.092 PMID: 39909283

A Novel Protein NAB1-356 Encoded by circRNA circNAB1 Mitigates Atrial Fibrillation by Reducing Inflammation and Fibrosis.

Du WW, Rafiq M, Yuan H, Li X, Wang S, Wu J, Wei J, Li RK, Guo H, Yang BB

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)2025

DOI: 10.1002/advs.202411959 PMID: 40145839

Impaired autophagy flux contributes to enhanced ischemia reperfusion injury in the diabetic heart.

Tang J, Yoon N, Dadson K, Sung HK, Lei Y, Dang TQ, Chung WY, Ahmed S, Abdul-Sater AA, Wu J, Li RK, Jonkman J, McKee T, Grant J, Peterson JD, Sweeney G

Autophagy reports2024

DOI: 10.1080/27694127.2024.2330327 PMID: 40395534

Conductive Hydrogel Restores Electrical Conduction to Promote Neurological Recovery in a Rat Model.

Zhang Y, Yao A, Wu J, Li S, Wang M, Peng Z, Sung HW, Jiang B, Li RK

Tissue engineering. Part A2024Senior author

DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2023.0372 PMID: 38661545

Rejuvenation of the Aged Bone Marrow Niche Restores Hematopoietic Stem Cell Function for Cardiac Repair and Regeneration

Nominated PICIHR2023Project Grant

Principal investigators: Li, Ren-Ke

Keywords: Aging; Bone Marrow Niche; Cardiac Regeneration; Cytokines; Hematopoietic Stem Cells; Microenvironment; Myocardial Infarction; Rejuvenation

$914,176

Rescue Electrical Conduction of Heart Scar Tissue to Diminish Cardiac Arrhythmia

Principal investigatorNSERC2018Collaborative Health Research Projects

Principal investigators: Li, RenKe

$271,119

Extracellular vesicles are key mediators of cardiac rejuvenation and repair

SupervisorCIHR2017CIHR Fellowship

Principal investigators: Alibhai, Faisal J

Keywords: Aging; Cardiovascular Disease; Extracellular Vesicles; Myocardial Infarction; Rejuvenation; Senescence

$90,000

Rescue Electrical Conduction of Heart Scar Tissue to Diminish Cardiac Arrhythmia

Nominated PICIHR2017Collaborative Health Research Projects (NSERC partnered)

Principal investigators: Li, Ren-Ke; Sharifpoor, Soror; Sun, Yu

Keywords: Arrhythmia; Biomaterials; Conductive Materials; Heart Failure; Heart Function; Tissue Engineering

$271,119

Rejuvenation of aged cells and recipients to enhance cardiac regeneration and prevent progressive heart failure

Nominated PICIHR2014Foundation Grant

Principal investigators: Li, Ren-Ke

Keywords: Aging; Cardiac Function; Cell Therapy; Gene Therapy; Heart Failure; Myocardial Infarction; Stem Cells; Tissue Engineering; Tissue Regeneration

$2,495,382

CRC Tier 1

Nominated PICIHR2012Canada Research Chairs - CIHR Funded - Tier 1

Principal investigators: Li, Ren-Ke

Keywords: Crc Tier 1

$1,400,000

Ultrasound-targeted gene delivery to enhance cell engraftment in the aged heart after ischemic injury

Nominated PICIHR2011Operating Grant

Principal investigators: Li, Ren-Ke

Keywords: Cardiac Function; Cell Transplantation; Extracellular Matrix; Gene Therapy; Heart Failure; Ischemic Cardiomyopathy; Stem Cells; Ultrasound Microbubble Imaging

$291,680

Nanotechnology-enabled image-guided interventions in vascular and lung diseases

Co-investigatorCIHR2010Emerging Team Grant: Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine

Principal investigators: Zheng, Gang; Chan, Warren C; Wilson, Brian C

Keywords: Hdl-Mimicking Peptide-Lipid Nanoparticles; Image-Guided Interventions; Lung Cancer; Nanoparticles; Raman Active Phospholipid Gold Nanoparticles; Sers Imaging Endoscopy; Vascular Diseases

$1,817,262

Tissue engineered patches for the repair of cardiovascular congenital malformations

Co-investigatorNSERC2010Collaborative Health Research Projects

Principal investigators: Radisic, Milica

$222,384

Mast cells facilitate cardiac wound healing after a myocardial infarction (MI) by induction of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and proliferation of epicardial derived cells (EPDCs) and resident fibroblasts.

SupervisorCIHR2010Doctoral Award - Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships

Principal investigators: Nazari, Mansoreh

Keywords: Inflammation; Mast Cells; Myocardial Infarction; Myofibroblasts; Proliferation

$105,000

From CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions: CIHR since 2008, NSERC since 1991 and SSHRC since 1998, including their latest published competition results.

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Ren-Ke Li

Research

Latest papers

Latest funding

A 3D-printed extravascular stent containing sirtuin-3 engineered human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells maintains venous graft patency.

ALY688 Protects Against Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Direct Effects and Rab8a-Dependent Extracellular Vesicles.

B cells drive CD4 T cell immunosenescence and age-associated health decline.

ALY688 confers cardioprotection through macrophage TGF&#x3b2;-mediated Treg/Th17 dependent multi-organ responses.

Three-dimensional reconfigurable magnetic microswarms with boundary-transcending capabilities.

A conductive polymer restores connexin43 expression through the suppression of mitogen-activated protein kinases to improve intercellular communication and alleviate atrial fibrillation.

Noninvasive assessment of a bioconductive patch for treating atrial fibrillation with magnetic resonance imaging.

A Novel Protein NAB1-356 Encoded by circRNA circNAB1 Mitigates Atrial Fibrillation by Reducing Inflammation and Fibrosis.

Impaired autophagy flux contributes to enhanced ischemia reperfusion injury in the diabetic heart.

Conductive Hydrogel Restores Electrical Conduction to Promote Neurological Recovery in a Rat Model.

Rescue Electrical Conduction of Heart Scar Tissue to Diminish Cardiac Arrhythmia

Tissue engineered patches for the repair of cardiovascular congenital malformations

Frequent collaborators

Gary Sweeney

Armand Keating

Mansoor Husain

Jagdish Butany

Gordon Keller

Milica Radisic

Yu Sun

Zhong-Ping Feng

Sanjiv Dhingra

Hong-Shuo Sun

Sue Tsai

Filip Konecny

Jim Hu

Igor Jurisica

Filio Billia

Kumaraswamy Nanthakumar

Minna Woo

Brian Wilson

Li Zhang

Peter Liu

Subodh Verma

Paul Fedak

Houman Savoji

Paul Dorian

Zhengping Jia

Augusto Zani

Gang Zheng

Tianru Jin

Xinyu Liu

Albert Yee

Lu-Yang Wang

Boris Hinz

Ralph Dacosta

ALY688 confers cardioprotection through macrophage TGFβ-mediated Treg/Th17 dependent multi-organ responses.