• Agarwal, Rajesh, Ph.D.
• Anchordoquy, Thomas J., Ph.D.
• Anderson, Peter, Pharm.D.
• Aquilante, Christina, Pharm.D.
• Bain, David L., Ph.D.
• Carpenter, John, Ph.D.
• Franklin, Christopher, Ph.D.
• Hail, Jr., Numsen, Ph.D.
• Irons, Richard D., Ph.D.
• Jones Braun, LaToya, Ph.D.
• Ju, Cynthia, Ph.D.
• Kiser, Jennifer, Pharm.D.
• Kompella Uday B., PhD
• LaBarbera, Daniel V., Ph.D.
• Malkinson, Alvin M., Ph.D.
• Mallela, Krishna M. G., Ph.D.
• Maluf, N. Karl, Ph.D.
• Patel, Manisha, Ph.D.
• Petersen, Dennis R., Ph.D.
• Radcliffe, Richard, Ph.D.
• Ross, David, Ph.D.
• Ruth, James. A., Ph.D.
• Scheinman, Robert I., Ph.D.
• Thompson, John A., Ph.D.
• Vasiliou, Vasilis, Ph.D.

Cynthia Ju, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of  Immunology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Mailing address:
Mail Stop C238-P15
Research Complex 2
12700 East 19th Avenue, Room P15-3007
Aurora, CO 80045

Telephone:
Voice:303-724-4019
Lab: 303-724-4025
Fax: 303-724-7266
E-Mail:  Cynthia.Ju@ucdenver.edu

Training and Education:
1991 B.Sc. Chemistry, Peking University, Beijing, China
1995 M.Sc. Bio-organic Chemistry, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
1999 Ph.D. Drug Metabolism & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Research Interests:
My laboratory studies the role of the innate immune system in inflammatory liver diseases caused by drugs and other hepatotoxic agents.  Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) accounts for more than 25% of liver failure cases in the ICU, and these adverse drug reactions are currently the most common cause of withdrawal of drugs from the pharmaceutical market.  The key to predicting and preventing DILI is a thorough understanding of the underlying mechanisms.
Our current research focuses on (1) establishing a mouse model of halothane-induced liver damage, (2) investigating the role of hepatic macrophages, neutrophils, NK, and NKT cells in halothane-, acetaminophen-, and Con A-induced liver injury, and (3) developing a screen assay to evaluate drug candidates’ potential of causing immune reactions.  Findings from these studies are expected to contribute to the ultimate goals of identifying mechanistic features and predisposing factors that determine patients’ susceptibility to DILI and developing diagnostic tests to predict a candidate drug’s potential of causing DILI. 

Teaching:
Professional Program Courses:
2003 – present PHRD 4750, Integrated Organ System VI
2003 – present PHRD 4200, Instructional Methods II

Graduate Program Courses:
2003 – present TXCL 7322, Reactive Metabolites and Immunology
2004 – present TXCL 7325, Current Topics in Toxicology Research
2007 – present PHSC&TXCL 7310, Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Sciences

More recent publication:
• L. Cheng, Q. You, H. Yin, M.P. Holt, C. Franklin, and C. Ju (2009) “The Effect of PolyI:C Co-treatment on Halothane-Induced Liver Injury in Mice”, Hepatology, 49, 215-226..
• M.P. Holt, L. Cheng, and C. Ju (2008) “Identification and Characterization of Infiltrating Macrophages in Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury”, J. Leukoc. Biol., 84, 1410-1421.
• Q. You, L. Cheng, R.M. Kedl, and C. Ju (2008) “Mechanism of T Cell Tolerance Induction by Hepatic Kupffer Cells”, Hepatology, 48, 978-990.
• L. Cheng, B.J. Stewart, Q. You, D.R. Petersen, J.A. Ware, J.R. Piccotti, T.T. Kawabata, and C. Ju (2008) “Covalent Binding of the Nitroso Metabolite of Sulfamethoxazole Is Important in Induction of Drug-Specific T Cell Responses in vivo”, Mol. Pharmacol., 73: 1769-1775
• H. Yin, L. Cheng, R. Langenbach, C. Ju (2007) “Prostaglandin I2 and E2 Mediate the Protective Effects of Cyclooxygenase-2 in A Mouse Model of Immune-Mediated Liver Injury”, Hepatology, 45: 159-169.
• Q. You, L. Cheng, T.P. Reilly, D.R. Wegmann, C. Ju (2006) “Role of neutrophils in a mouse model of halothane-induced liver injury”, Hepatology, 44: 1421-1431.
• C. Ju (2005) “Immunological mechanisms of drug-induced liver injury”, Current Opinion in Drug Discovery and Development, 8: 38-43.
• C. Ju and Lance R. Pohl (2005) “Tolerogenic role of Kupffer cells in immune-mediated adverse drug reactions”, Toxicology, 209: 109-112.
• M.P. Holt and C. Ju (2005) “Mechanisms of Drug-Induced Liver Injury”, AAPS Journal, 8: E48 – E54.
• C. Ju, J. P. McCoy, C. J. Chung, M. L. M. Graf and L. R. Pohl (2003) “Tolerogenic role of Kupffer cells in allergic reactions”, Chem. Res. Toxicol. 16: 1514-1519.
• C. Ju, T. P. Reilly, M. Bourdi, M. F. Radonovich, J.N. Brady, J. W. George and L. R. Pohl (2002) “Protective role of Kupffer cells in acetaminophen-induced hepatic injury in mice”, Chem. Res. Toxicol. 15: 1504-1513.

Curriculum Vitae

Recent Publications

Last updated: 1/20/09