Jacquelyn Maher, MD

Professor

Dr. Maher is Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology at San Francisco General Hospital and Director of the UCSF Liver Center. Research in her laboratory focuses on the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Her studies in mice have implicated dietary sugar as an important inducer of fatty liver disease, through conversion to toxic saturated fatty acids. Ongoing work in her group concentrates on the mechanism by which metabolic stresses kill liver cells. She is also using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients with NAFLD to study the disorder directly in humans. Her research team has recently found that NAFLD iPSCs, when converted in the laboratory to hepatocytes (iPSC-Heps), display characteristics of NAFLD. The group is currently expanding their work with NAFLD iPSC-Heps to encompass larger populations from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
Education
Fellowship, 1987 - Gastroenterology, University of California, San Francisco
Residency, 1983 - Internal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center
M.D., 1979 - , Duke University School of Medicine
B.A, 1976 - Chemistry, Duke University
Publications

  1. Klepper A, Kung A, Vazquez SE, Mitchell A, Mann S, Zorn K, Avila-Vargas I, Kari S, Tekeste M, Castro J, Lee B, Duarte M, Khalili M, Yang M, Wolters P, Price J, Perito E, Feng S, Maher JJ, Lai J, Weiler-Normann C, Lohse AW, DeRisi J, Tana M. Novel autoantibody targets identified in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) by PhIP-Seq reveals pathogenic insights. medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences 2023. PMID: 37398174


  2. Piraquive Agudelo J, Kim Y, Agarwal S, Sriram R, Bok R, Kurhanewicz J, Mattis AN, Maher JJ, von Morze C, Ohliger MA. Hyperpolarized [1-13 C] pyruvate MRSI to detect metabolic changes in liver in a methionine and choline-deficient diet rat model of fatty liver disease. Magnetic resonance in medicine 2023. PMID: 38115605


  3. Chang CW, Chen YS, Huang CH, Lin CH, Ng WV, Chu LJ, Trépo E, Zucman-Rossi J, Siao K, Maher JJ, Chiew MY, Chou CH, Huang HD, Teo WH, Lee IS, Lo JF, Wang XW. A genetic basis of mitochondrial DNAJA3 in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) 2023. PMID: 37870291


  4. Groeger M, Matsuo K, Heidary Arash E, Pereira A, Le Guillou D, Pino C, Telles-Silva KA, Maher JJ, Hsiao EC, Willenbring H. Modeling and therapeutic targeting of inflammation-induced hepatic insulin resistance using human iPSC-derived hepatocytes and macrophages. Nature communications 2023. PMID: 37400454


  5. Siao K, Le Guillou D, Maher JJ, Duwaerts CC. The Role of STING in Liver Injury Is Both Stimulus- and Time-Dependent. Nutrients 2022. PMID: 36235681


  6. Kumar P, Liu Y, Shen Y, Maher JJ, Cingolani F, Czaja MJ. Mouse liver injury induces hepatic macrophage FGF23 production. "Are Telehealth Visits Feasible for Vulnerable Patients?" 2022. PMID: 35231062


  7. Peaslee C, Esteva-Font C, Su T, Munoz-Howell A, Duwaerts C, Liu Z, Rao S, Liu K, Medina M, Sneddon JB, Maher JJ, Mattis AN. Doxycycline Significantly Enhances Induction of iPSCs to Endoderm by Enhancing survival via AKT Phosphorylation. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) 2021. PMID: 33982322


  8. Ha NB, Cho SJ, Mohamad Y, Kent D, Jun G, Wong R, Swarnakar V, Lin S, Maher JJ, Lai JC. Visceral Adipose Tissue Inflammation and Radiographic Visceral-to-Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Ratio in Patients with Cirrhosis. Digestive diseases and sciences 2021. PMID: 34136974


  9. Duwaerts CC, Le Guillou D, Her CL, Phillips NJ, Willenbring H, Mattis AN, Maher JJ. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Hepatocytes From Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Display a Disease-specific Gene Expression Profile. Gastroenterology 2021. PMID: 33640436


  10. Duwaerts CC, Siao K, Soon RK, Her C, Iwawaki T, Kohno K, Mattis AN, Maher JJ. Hepatocyte-specific deletion of XBP1 sensitizes mice to liver injury through hyperactivation of IRE1a. Cell death and differentiation 2020. PMID: 33219328


  11. Alkhani A, Levy CS, Tsui M, Rosenberg KA, Polovina K, Mattis AN, Mack M, Van Dyken S, Wang BM, Maher JJ, Nijagal A. Ly6cLo non-classical monocytes promote resolution of rhesus rotavirus-mediated perinatal hepatic inflammation. Scientific Reports 2020. PMID: 32346042


  12. Maher JJ, Schattenberg JM. Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in 2020. Gastroenterology 2020. PMID: 32302525


  13. Duwaerts CC, Maher JJ. Macronutrients and the adipose-liver axis in obesity and fatty liver. Cellular and molecular gastroenterology and hepatology 2019. PMID: 30763771


  14. Greenhalgh SN, Matchett KP, Taylor RS, Huang K, Li JT, Saeteurn K, Donnelly MC, Simpson EE, Pollack JL, Atakilit A, Simpson KJ, Maher JJ, Iredale JP, Sheppard D, Henderson NC. Loss of integrin avß8 in murine hepatocytes accelerates liver regeneration. The American journal of pathology 2018. PMID: 30448409


  16. Lee B, Holt EW, Wong RJ, Sewell JL, Somsouk M, Khalili M, Maher JJ, Tana MM. Race/ethnicity is an independent risk factor for autoimmune hepatitis among the San Francisco underserved. 2018. PMID: 29890851


  17. Wen JW, Kohn MA, Wong R, Somsouk M, Khalili M, Maher J, Tana MM. Hospitalizations for Autoimmune Hepatitis Disproportionately Affect Black and Latino Americans. Volume 113 of Issue 2. 2018. PMID: 29380822


  18. Pierce AA, Duwaerts CC, Siao K, Mattis AN, Goodsell A, Baron JL, Maher JJ. CD18 deficiency improves liver injury in the MCD model of steatohepatitis. Volume 12 of Issue 9. PloS one 2017. PMID: 28873429


  19. Duwaerts CC, Amin AM, Siao K, Her C, Fitch M, Beysen C, Turner SM, Goodsell A, Baron JL, Grenert JP, Cho SJ, Maher JJ. Specific Macronutrients Exert Unique Influences on the Adipose-Liver Axis to Promote Hepatic Steatosis in Mice. Volume 4 of Issue 2. 2017. PMID: 28649594


  21. Jacquelyn J. Maher. Pathogenesis of NAFLD and NASH. Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease 2016. PMID:


  22. Brunt EM, Wong VW, Nobili V, Day CP, Sookoian S, Maher JJ, Bugianesi E, Sirlin CB, Neuschwander-Tetri BA, Rinella ME. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Volume 1. 2015. PMID: 27188459


  23. Pierce AA, Duwaerts CC, Soon RK, Siao K, Grenert JP, Fitch M, Hellerstein MK, Beysen C, Turner SM, Maher JJ. Isocaloric manipulation of macronutrients within a high-carbohydrate/moderate-fat diet induces unique effects on hepatic lipogenesis, steatosis and liver injury. Volume 29. 2015. PMID: 26895660


  24. Pierce AA, Pickens MK, Siao K, Grenert JP, Maher JJ. Differential hepatotoxicity of dietary and DNL-derived palmitate in the methionine-choline-deficient model of steatohepatitis. Volume 15. 2015. PMID: 26103964


  25. Mattis AN, Song G, Hitchner K, Kim RY, Lee AY, Sharma AD, Malato Y, McManus MT, Esau CC, Koller E, Koliwad S, Lim LP, Maher JJ, Raffai RL, Willenbring H. A screen in mice uncovers repression of lipoprotein lipase by microRNA-29a as a mechanism for lipid distribution away from the liver. Volume 61 of Issue 1. 2014. PMID: 25131933


  26. Duwaerts CC, Maher JJ. Mechanisms of Liver Injury in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis. Volume 13 of Issue 2. 2014. PMID: 25045618


  27. Kamalakar A, Bendre MS, Washam CL, Fowler TW, Carver A, Dilley JD, Bracey JW, Akel NS, Margulies AG, Skinner RA, Swain FL, Hogue WR, Montgomery CO, Lahiji P, Maher JJ, Leitzel KE, Ali SM, Lipton A, Nicholas RW, Gaddy D, Suva LJ. Circulating interleukin-8 levels explain breast cancer osteolysis in mice and humans. Volume 61. 2014. PMID: 24486955


  28. Henderson NC, Arnold TD, Katamura Y, Giacomini MM, Rodriguez JD, McCarty JH, Pellicoro A, Raschperger E, Betsholtz C, Ruminski PG, Griggs DW, Prinsen MJ, Maher JJ, Iredale JP, Lacy-Hulbert A, Adams RH, Sheppard D. Targeting of av integrin identifies a core molecular pathway that regulates fibrosis in several organs. Volume 19 of Issue 12. Nature medicine 2013. PMID: 24216753


  29. Wei K, Piecewicz SM, McGinnis LM, Taniguchi CM, Wiegand SJ, Anderson K, Chan CW, Mulligan KX, Kuo D, Yuan J, Vallon M, Morton L, Lefai E, Simon MC, Maher JJ, Mithieux G, Rajas F, Annes J, McGuinness OP, Thurston G, Giaccia AJ, Kuo CJ. A liver Hif-2a-Irs2 pathway sensitizes hepatic insulin signaling and is modulated by Vegf inhibition. Volume 19 of Issue 10. Nature medicine 2013. PMID: 24037094


  30. Maher JJ. Retinol binding protein 4 and fatty liver: A direct link? Volume 58 of Issue 2. 2013. PMID: 23703940


  31. Varenika V, Fu Y, Maher JJ, Gao D, Kakar S, Cabarrus MC, Yeh BM. Hepatic fibrosis: evaluation with semiquantitative contrast-enhanced CT. Volume 266 of Issue 1. Radiology 2012. PMID: 23169796


  32. Mukhtar NA, Bacchetti P, Ayala CE, Melgar J, Christensen S, Maher JJ, Khalili M. Insulin sensitivity and variability in hepatitis C virus infection using direct measurement. Volume 58 of Issue 4. 2012. PMID: 23086116


  34. Nie B, Park HM, Kazantzis M, Lin M, Henkin A, Ng S, Song S, Chen Y, Tran H, Lai R, Her C, Maher JJ, Forman BM, Stahl A. Specific bile acids inhibit hepatic fatty acid uptake in mice. Volume 56 of Issue 4. 2012. PMID: 22531947


  35. Brandman D, Bacchetti P, Ayala CE, Maher JJ, Khalili M. Impact of insulin resistance on HCV treatment response and impact of HCV treatment on insulin sensitivity using direct measurements of insulin action. Volume 35 of Issue 5. Diabetes care 2012. PMID: 22399695


  36. Mukhtar NA, Ayala C, Maher JJ, Khalili M. Assessment of factors associated with pre-diabetes in HCV infection including direct and dynamic measurements of insulin action. Volume 19 of Issue 7. 2011. PMID: 22676360


  37. Schwabe RF, Maher JJ. Lipids in liver disease: looking beyond steatosis. Volume 142 of Issue 1. Gastroenterology 2011. PMID: 22107717


  38. Maher JJ. New insights from rodent models of fatty liver disease. Volume 15 of Issue 2. 2011. PMID: 21126212


  39. Soon RK, Yan JS, Grenert JP, Maher JJ. Stress signaling in the methionine-choline-deficient model of murine fatty liver disease. Volume 139 of Issue 5. Gastroenterology 2010. PMID: 20682321


  40. Lam KD, Bacchetti P, Abbasi F, Ayala CE, Loeb SM, Shah V, Wen MJ, Reaven GM, Maher JJ, Khalili M. Comparison of surrogate and direct measurement of insulin resistance in chronic hepatitis C virus infection: impact of obesity and ethnicity. Volume 52 of Issue 1. 2010. PMID: 20578127


  42. Pickens MK, Ogata H, Soon RK, Grenert JP, Maher JJ. Dietary fructose exacerbates hepatocellular injury when incorporated into a methionine-choline-deficient diet. Volume 30 of Issue 8. 2010. PMID: 20536716


  43. Maher JJ. Trunk fat as a determinant of liver disease. Volume 138 of Issue 4. Gastroenterology 2010. PMID: 20184974


  44. Niemann CU, Xu F, Choi S, Behrends M, Park Y, Hirose R, Maher JJ. Short passive cooling protects rats during hepatectomy by inducing heat shock proteins and limiting the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Volume 158 of Issue 1. The Journal of surgical research 2010. PMID: 19394963


  45. Pickens MK, Yan JS, Ng RK, Ogata H, Grenert JP, Beysen C, Turner SM, Maher JJ. Dietary sucrose is essential to the development of liver injury in the methionine-choline-deficient model of steatohepatitis. Volume 50 of Issue 10. Journal of lipid research 2009. PMID: 19295183


  46. Maher JJ. DAMPs ramp up drug toxicity. Volume 119 of Issue 2. The Journal of clinical investigation 2009. PMID: 19244605


  47. Maher JJ, Leon P, Ryan JC. Beyond insulin resistance: Innate immunity in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Volume 48 of Issue 2. 2008. PMID: 18666225


  48. Liao M, Pabarcus MK, Wang Y, Hefner C, Maltby DA, Medzihradszky KF, Salas-Castillo SP, Yan J, Maher JJ, Correia MA. Impaired dexamethasone-mediated induction of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase in heme-deficient rat hepatocytes: translational control by a hepatic eIF2alpha kinase, the heme-regulated inhibitor. Volume 323 of Issue 3. 2007. PMID: 17761498


  50. Lee GS, Yan JS, Ng RK, Kakar S, Maher JJ. Polyunsaturated fat in the methionine-choline-deficient diet influences hepatic inflammation but not hepatocellular injury. Volume 48 of Issue 8. Journal of lipid research 2007. PMID: 17526933


  51. Maher JJ. Alcoholic steatohepatitis: management and prognosis. Volume 9 of Issue 1. 2007. PMID: 17335676


  52. Niemann CU, Choi S, Behrends M, Hirose R, Noh J, Coatney JL, Roberts JP, Serkova NJ, Maher JJ. Mild hypothermia protects obese rats from fulminant hepatic necrosis induced by ischemia-reperfusion. Volume 140 of Issue 3. Surgery 2006. PMID: 16934602


  53. Rizki G, Arnaboldi L, Gabrielli B, Yan J, Lee GS, Ng RK, Turner SM, Badger TM, Pitas RE, Maher JJ. Mice fed a lipogenic methionine-choline-deficient diet develop hypermetabolism coincident with hepatic suppression of SCD-1. Volume 47 of Issue 10. Journal of lipid research 2006. PMID: 16829692


  54. Tam BY, Wei K, Rudge JS, Hoffman J, Holash J, Park SK, Yuan J, Hefner C, Chartier C, Lee JS, Jiang S, Nayak NR, Niyak NR, Kuypers FA, Ma L, Sundram U, Wu G, Garcia JA, Schrier SL, Maher JJ, Johnson RS, Yancopoulos GD, Mulligan RC, Kuo CJ. VEGF modulates erythropoiesis through regulation of adult hepatic erythropoietin synthesis. Volume 12 of Issue 7. Nature medicine 2006. PMID: 16799557


  55. Kodali P, Wu P, Lahiji PA, Brown EJ, Maher JJ. ANIT toxicity toward mouse hepatocytes in vivo is mediated primarily by neutrophils via CD18. Volume 291 of Issue 2. 2006. PMID: 16614373


  56. Hirsch J, Hansen KC, Choi S, Noh J, Hirose R, Roberts JP, Matthay MA, Burlingame AL, Maher JJ, Niemann CU. Warm ischemia-induced alterations in oxidative and inflammatory proteins in hepatic Kupffer cells in rats. Volume 5 of Issue 6. 2006. PMID: 16500929


  57. Serkova NJ, Jackman M, Brown JL, Liu T, Hirose R, Roberts JP, Maher JJ, Niemann CU. Metabolic profiling of livers and blood from obese Zucker rats. Volume 44 of Issue 5. 2005. PMID: 16223541


  58. Hanson JC, Bostick MK, Campe CB, Kodali P, Lee G, Yan J, Maher JJ. Transgenic overexpression of interleukin-8 in mouse liver protects against galactosamine/endotoxin toxicity. Volume 44 of Issue 2. 2005. PMID: 16168518


  60. Xu J, Lee G, Wang H, Vierling JM, Maher JJ. Limited role for CXC chemokines in the pathogenesis of alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate-induced liver injury. Volume 287 of Issue 3. 2004. PMID: 15130876


  62. Saito JM, Bostick MK, Campe CB, Xu J, Maher JJ. Infiltrating neutrophils in bile duct-ligated livers do not promote hepatic fibrosis. Volume 25 of Issue 2. 2003. PMID: 12644055


  63. Maher JJ. Treatment of alcoholic hepatitis. Volume 17 of Issue 4. 2002. PMID: 11982726


  64. Maher JJ. Alcoholic steatosis and steatohepatitis. Volume 13 of Issue 1. 2002. PMID: 11944632


  65. Björkegren J, Beigneux A, Bergo MO, Maher JJ, Young SG. Blocking the secretion of hepatic very low density lipoproteins renders the liver more susceptible to toxin-induced injury. Volume 277 of Issue 7. The Journal of biological chemistry 2001. PMID: 11739387


  66. Faouzi S, Burckhardt BE, Hanson JC, Campe CB, Schrum LW, Rippe RA, Maher JJ. Anti-Fas induces hepatic chemokines and promotes inflammation by an NF-kappa B-independent, caspase-3-dependent pathway. Volume 276 of Issue 52. The Journal of biological chemistry 2001. PMID: 11602613


  67. Maher JJ. Interactions between hepatic stellate cells and the immune system. Volume 21 of Issue 3. 2001. PMID: 11586469


  68. Sonda S, Ting LM, Novak S, Kim K, Maher JJ, Farese RV, Ernst JD. Cholesterol esterification by host and parasite is essential for optimal proliferation of Toxoplasma gondii. Volume 276 of Issue 37. The Journal of biological chemistry 2001. PMID: 11457847


  69. Wang R, Ferrell LD, Faouzi S, Maher JJ, Bishop JM. Activation of the Met receptor by cell attachment induces and sustains hepatocellular carcinomas in transgenic mice. Volume 153 of Issue 5. 2001. PMID: 11381087


  70. Maher J. Antidiabetic treatment for NASH? Volume 33 of Issue 5. 2001. PMID: 11343267


  72. Saito JM, Maher JJ. Bile duct ligation in rats induces biliary expression of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant. Volume 118 of Issue 6. Gastroenterology 2000. PMID: 10833491


  73. Maher JJ. Leukocytes as modulators of stellate cell activation. Volume 23 of Issue 5. Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research 1999. PMID: 10371414


  74. Maher JJ. Cytokines: overview. Volume 19 of Issue 2. 1999. PMID: 10422194


  75. Maher JJ. How does estrogen enhance endotoxin toxicity? Let me count the ways. Volume 28 of Issue 6. 1998. PMID: 9828242


  76. Maher JJ, Lozier JS, Scott MK. Rat hepatic stellate cells produce cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant in culture and in vivo. Volume 275 of Issue 4 Pt 1. 1998. PMID: 9756517


  77. Jacquelyn J. Maher. CHEMOKINES AND ALCOHOLIC LIVER DISEASE. Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research 1998. PMID:


  78. Jacquelyn J. Maher. The extracellular matrix in liver regeneration. Liver Growth and Repair 1998. PMID:


  79. Maher JJ, Neuschwander-Tetri BA. Manipulation of glutathione stores in rat hepatic stellate cells does not alter collagen synthesis. Volume 26 of Issue 3. 1997. PMID: 9303491


  80. Maher JJ, Saito JM, Neuschwander-Tetri BA. Glutathione regulation in rat hepatic stellate cells. Comparative studies in primary culture and in liver injury in vivo. Volume 53 of Issue 5. 1997. PMID: 9113082


  81. Maher JJ, Scott MK, Saito JM, Burton MC. Adenovirus-mediated expression of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant in rat liver induces a neutrophilic hepatitis. Volume 25 of Issue 3. 1997. PMID: 9049209


  82. Maher JJ. Exploring alcohol's effects on liver function. Volume 21 of Issue 1. 1997. PMID: 15706758


  84. Maher JJ, Tzagarakis C, Giménez A. Malondialdehyde stimulates collagen production by hepatic lipocytes only upon activation in primary culture. Volume 29 of Issue 5. 1994. PMID: 7811345


  85. Maher JJ, Zia S, Tzagarakis C. Acetaldehyde-induced stimulation of collagen synthesis and gene expression is dependent on conditions of cell culture: studies with rat lipocytes and fibroblasts. Volume 18 of Issue 2. Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research 1994. PMID: 8048746


  87. Maher JJ, Bissell DM. Cell-matrix interactions in liver. Volume 4 of Issue 3. 1993. PMID: 7688595


  88. Maher JJ. Cell-specific expression of hepatocyte growth factor in liver. Upregulation in sinusoidal endothelial cells after carbon tetrachloride. Volume 91 of Issue 5. The Journal of clinical investigation 1993. PMID: 7683700


  89. Maher JJ, Friedman SL. Parenchymal and nonparenchymal cell interactions in the liver. Volume 13 of Issue 1. 1993. PMID: 8446905


  90. Rockey DC, Maher JJ, Jarnagin WR, Gabbiani G, Friedman SL. Inhibition of rat hepatic lipocyte activation in culture by interferon-gamma. Volume 16 of Issue 3. 1992. PMID: 1505921


  91. Friedman SL, Rockey DC, McGuire RF, Maher JJ, Boyles JK, Yamasaki G. Isolated hepatic lipocytes and Kupffer cells from normal human liver: morphological and functional characteristics in primary culture. Volume 15 of Issue 2. 1992. PMID: 1735526


  92. Maher JJ. Yet another role for the "good" matrix protein: laminin in regenerating liver. Volume 15 of Issue 1. 1992. PMID: 1727793


  93. Maher JJ, McGuire RF. Extracellular matrix gene expression increases preferentially in rat lipocytes and sinusoidal endothelial cells during hepatic fibrosis in vivo. Volume 86 of Issue 5. The Journal of clinical investigation 1990. PMID: 2243137


  94. Bissell DM, Friedman SL, Maher JJ, Roll FJ. Connective tissue biology and hepatic fibrosis: report of a conference. Volume 11 of Issue 3. 1990. PMID: 2179098


  95. Maher JJ. Hepatic fibrosis caused by alcohol. Volume 10 of Issue 1. 1990. PMID: 2186489


  96. Maher JJ. Fat-storing cells and myofibroblasts: one cell or two? Volume 9 of Issue 6. 1989. PMID: 2714742


  97. Maher JJ. Primary hepatocyte culture: is it home away from home? Volume 8 of Issue 5. 1988. PMID: 3047039


  98. Maher JJ, Bissell DM, Friedman SL, Roll FJ. Collagen measured in primary cultures of normal rat hepatocytes derives from lipocytes within the monolayer. Volume 82 of Issue 2. The Journal of clinical investigation 1988. PMID: 3042806


  99. Maher JJ, Friedman SL, Roll FJ, Bissell DM. Immunolocalization of laminin in normal rat liver and biosynthesis of laminin by hepatic lipocytes in primary culture. Volume 94 of Issue 4. Gastroenterology 1988. PMID: 3278941


  100. Bissell DM, Arenson DM, Maher JJ, Roll FJ. Support of cultured hepatocytes by a laminin-rich gel. Evidence for a functionally significant subendothelial matrix in normal rat liver. The Journal of clinical investigation 1987. PMID: 3546380