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Research Interests:
Studies in Dr. Liu's laboratory are focused on dissecting the cellular and molecular pathways leading to chronic renal fibrosis, and exploring novel strategies for therapeutic interventions. Using a series of experimental approaches, we are addressing several fundamental issues in renal fibrosis, such as what types of cells produce a large amount of matrix proteins under pathologic conditions and how they are regulated. Current studies in our laboratory include: 1) to decipher the mechanism controlling the regulation of tubular epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in renal fibrogenesis; 2) to unravel the interactions and cross-talks of the intracellular signal pathways activated by anti-fibrotic hepatocyte growth factor and pro-fibrotic transforming growth factor-beta in kidney cells; 3) to develop novel therapeutic strategies aimed at ameliorating renal fibrosis and kidney dysfunction.
Selected Publications:
View Dr. Liu's publications on PubMed
- Li Y, Wen X, Spataro BC, Hu K, Dai C, and Liu Y. Hepatocyte growth factor is a downstream effector that mediates the anti-fibrotic action of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- agonists. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 17: 54-65, 2006.
- Hu K, Yang J, Tanaka S, Gonias SL, Mars WM, and Liu Y. Tissue-type plasminogen activator acts as a cytokine that triggers intracellular signal transduction and induces matrix metalloproteinase-9 gene expression. J. Biol. Chem. 281: 2120-2127, 2006.
- Liu Y. Renal fibrosis: New insights into the pathogenesis and therapeutics. Kidney Int. 69: 213-217, 2006.
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