Role in program: PI, project 4

Research Interests: Understanding of the role of brain immune cells, especially microglia, in the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). Investigation of the impact of environmental toxicants on dopamine neurons in the brain using in vitro and in vivo models. Discovery of mechanism-based neuroprotective agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Selected Publications 2000-2007

Zhang P, Hatter A and Liu B (2007) Manganese chloride stimulates rat microglia to release hydrogen peroxide. Tox Lett (in press).

Embury JE, Charron CE, Martynyuk A, Zori AG, Liu B, Ali SY, Rowland NE and Laipis PJ (2006) PKU is a reversible neurodegenerative process within the nigrostriatum that begins as early as 4 weeks of age in Pahenu2 mice. Brain Res. 1127:136-150.

Liu B (2006) Modulation of microglial pro-inflammatory and neurotoxic activity for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. AAPS J. 8:606-621.

Qin L, Li G, Qian X, Liu Y, Wu X, Liu B, Hong JS and Block (2005) Interactive role of the toll-like receptor 4 and reactive oxygen species in LPS-induced microglia activation. Glia 52:78-84.

Zhang W, Wang T, Qin L, Gao H, Wilson B, Ali S, Zhang W, Hong JS and Liu B (2004) Neuroprotective effect of dextromethorphan in the MPTP Parkinson’s disease model: role of NADPH oxidase. FASEB J. 18:589-591.

Liu B, Gao HM, Hong JS (2003) Parkinson’s disease and exposure to infectious agents and pesticides and the occurrence of brain injuries. Environ Health Perspect. 111:1065-1073.

Gao HM, Hong JS, Zhang W and Liu B (2003) Synergistic dopaminergic neurotoxicity of pesticide rotenone and inflammagen lipopolysaccharide: relevance to etiology of Parkinson’s disease. J. Neurosci. 23:1228-1236.

Liu B and Hong JS (2003) Role of microglia in inflammation-mediated neurodegenerative diseases: mechanisms and strategies for therapeutic intervention JPET 304:1-7.

Liu Y, Qin L, Wilson B, An J, Hong JS and Liu B. (2002) Inhibition by naloxone stereoisomers of beta-amyloid peptide (1-42)-induced superoxide production in microglia and degeneration of cortical and mesencephalic neurons. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 302:1212-31219.

Gao HM, Jiang J, Wilson BW, Zhang W, Hong JS and Liu B. (2002) Microglial activation-mediated delayed and progressive degeneration of rat nigral dopaminergic neurons: relevance to Parkinson’s disease. J. Neurochem. 81:1285-1297.

Liu B, Gao HM, Wang K, Jeohn G, Cooper C and Hong JS (2002) Role of microglial inducible nitric oxide synthase in inflammation-mediated neurodegeneration. Ann. New York Acad. Sci. 962:318-331.

Gao HM, Hong JS, Zhang W and Liu B. (2002) Distinct role for microglia in rotenone-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. J. Neurosci. 22:782-790.

Liu B, Wang K, Gao H, Mandavilli B, Wang J and Hong JS (2001) Molecular consequences of activated microglia in the brain: over-activation induces apoptosis. J. Neurochem. 77:182-189.

Liu B, Jiang J, Wilson B, Du L, Yang S, Wu G, Chao X and Hong JS (2000) Naloxone protects dopaminergic neurons against lipopolysaccharide-induced damage in rat. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 295:125-132.

Kim W, Mohney RP, Wilson B, Jeohn G, Liu B and Hong JS (2000) Regional difference in susceptibility to lipopolysaccharide-induced neurotoxicity in the rat brain: role of microglia. J. Neuroscience 20: 6309-6316.

Liu B, Du L and Hong JS (2000) Naloxone protects rat dopaminergic neurons against inflammatory damage through inhibition of microglia activation and superoxide generation. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 293:607-617.