Ju Lab

The research in my laboratory focuses on understanding the inflammatory responses in acute and chronic liver diseases, including acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury (AILI), hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury and alcoholic liver disease (ALD). AILI is a major cause of liver failure, accounting for nearly half of the cases in ICU. Hepatic IR injury occurs in a number of clinical settings such as hemorrhagic shock, trauma, liver surgery and liver transplantation, and it significantly contributes to postoperative morbidity and mortality. ALD is a leading chronic liver disease, affecting millions of people worldwide, including over 10 million Americans.

We have been particularly interested in the contributions of the innate immune system, including resident and infiltrating hepatic macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils, in causing liver injury and/or promoting tissue repair.

Cynthia Ju, PhD
Professor and Vice Chair of Research
Joseph C. Gabel, MD Endowed Chair in Anesthesiology