Overview

  • Primary hepatic stellate cells were stained with anti-vinculin antibody for focal adhesions (green), and F-actin were labeled with Tritc-Phalloidin (red).

    Primary hepatic stellate cells were stained with anti-vinculin antibody for focal adhesions (green), and F-actin were labeled with Tritc-Phalloidin (red).
  • Confocal slices reveal the close apposition of sinusoidal endothelial cells (red) with hepatic stellate cells (green) in the Z-plane.

    Confocal slices reveal the close apposition of sinusoidal endothelial cells (red) with hepatic stellate cells (green) in the Z-plane.

Our research focuses on several interrelated areas broadly relating to hepatic vascular biology and function. One major focus of the laboratory-based program relates to nitric oxide (NO)-signaling pathways in liver diseases. Another major focus of the laboratory-based program relates to pericyte motility in hepatic microcirculatory remodeling and hepatic tumor angiogenesis. A third major focus of the clinical-based research program relates to alcohol-based liver disease.