Dr. L. Liu

Name: Lixin Liu
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacology
College of Medicine

Research interests:
The role of intracellular signaling molecules in leukocyte recruitment and leukocyte transendothelial migration.

Major techniques used in my laboratory
Our major technique is the intravital microscopy using real-time and time-lapse video microscopy and imaging in tissues in anesthetized animals to investigate the role of intracellular signaling molecules in leukocyte recruitment. Techniques for cellular interactions in vitro using isolated cells are also used in the lab.

Research team
Xi Lei, master student
Najia Xu (Jennifer), master student
Bo Jiang, lab technician

Research grant information
Currently, we have a CIHR operating grant (2008-2011) to study the role of LSP1 (leukocyte-specific protein 1) in neutrophil recruitment during inflammation.

Publication record (2003-2008):

1. S.M. Kerfoot, C. Bonder, G. Andonegui and L. Liu. Exogenous stromal cell-derived factor-1 induces subtle leukocyte recruitment in vivo. Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol. 2008; 294(6):H2524-H2534.
2. L. Liu and P. Kubes. What is the appropriate surgical intervention when imaging? [Letter to Editor]. Blood 2008; 111(9): 4828.
3. B. Heit, L. Liu, P. Colarusso, K. Puri, and P. Kubes. PI3K accelerates, but is not required for, neutrophil chemotaxis to fMLP. J. Cell Sci. 2008; 121(Pt 2):205-214.
4. L. Liu, K.D. Puri, J.M. Penninger, and P. Kubes. Leukocyte PI3Kg and PI3Kd have temporally distinct roles for leukocyte recruitment in vivo. Blood 2007; 110(4): 1191-1198.
5. M. Phillipson, B. Heit, P. Colarusso, L. Liu, C.M. Ballantyne and P. Kubes. Intraluminal crawling of neutrophils to emigration sites: a molecularly distinct process from adhesion in the recruitment cascade. J. Exp. Med. 2006; 203 (12): 2569-2575.
6. L. Liu, and P. Kubes. 2006. Chemokines in leukocyte transendothelial migration.Book chapter in Chemokine Biology: Basic Research and Clinical application (Editors: Bernhard Moser, Gordon L. Letts, Kuldeep Neote). 2006; pp109-pp122.
7. L. Liu, D.C. Cara, J. Jaur, E. Raharjo, S.C. Mullaly, J. Jongstra-Bilen, J. Jongstra, and P. Kubes. LSP1 is an endothelial gate keeper of leukocyte transendothelial migration. J. Exp. Med. 2005; 201(3): 409-418.
8. A.I. Khan, S.M. Kerfoot, B. Heit, L. Liu, G. Andonegui, B. Ruffell, P. Johnson, and P. Kubes. Role of CD44 and hyaluronan in neutrophil recruitment. J. Immunol. 2004; 173: 7594-7601.
9. R.C.O. Zanardo, C.S. Bonder, J.M. Hwang, G. Andonegui, L. Liu, D. Vestweber, L. Zbytnuik and P. Kubes. A down regulatable E-selectin ligand is functionally important for PSGL-1-independent leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions. Blood 2004; 104(12): 3766-3773.
10. L. Liu, and P. Kubes. Molecular mechanisms of leukocyte recruitment: organ-specific mechanisms of action [review]. Thrombosis and Haemostasis 2003; 89(2): 213-220.
11. L. Liu, L. Håkansson, P. Ridefelt, R.C. Garcia, and P. Venge. Priming of eosinophil migration across lung epithelial cell monolayers and upregulation of CD11b/CD18 are elicited by extracellular Ca2+. Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. 2003; 28: 713-721.

Others
The lab currently accepts applications for research training opportunities for post-doctoral research fellows and PhD students.

Contact information:
Lixin Liu, PhD
Department of Pharmacology
College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5
Phone: 306-966-6300;  Fax: 306-966-6220
Email: lixin.liu@usask.ca