Yunmeng Liu
Assistant Professor
Also affiliated: Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (2010); Maine Farmland Trust (2024); Arkansas Department of Agriculture (2025)
Faculty Researcher
Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Medicine
Research Areas
Biomedical Subjects
Biography and Research Information
OverviewAI-generated summary
Yunmeng Liu investigates the intricate connections between the immune system and cardiovascular health, with a particular focus on hypertension. Her research explores how immune pathways, such as the IFNγ-PDL1 pathway, influence cellular interactions within the kidney and heart, contributing to the development of hypertension. Liu's work also examines the role of specific cellular components, like CD8+ T cells, and their activation mechanisms, such as P2X7-mediated signaling, in promoting salt-sensitive hypertension.
Her federally funded research, supported by a $717,457 grant from the NIH/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, delves into how metabolic rewiring in T cells bridges the link between diabetes and hypertension. This work also considers the impact of medications like eplerenone on attenuating kidney fibrosis by altering macrophage behavior. Liu collaborates with researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, including Katherine Deck and Christoph Mora, with whom she has co-authored multiple publications, indicating a strong network within her institution. Her scholarship metrics include an h-index of 3 and 86 citations across 14 publications.
Metrics
- h-index: 3
- Publications: 14
- Citations: 88
Selected Publications
-
Macrophage Plasticity Drives Cardiac Dysfunction in Hypertension 2253031 (2026)
-
Antigen-independent formation of renal Trm-like CD8 T cells perpetuates hypertension 2259853 (2026)
-
Kidney Resident Memory CD8+ T cells drive the immortality of hypertension (2026)
-
Cytokine-mediated macrophage transition promotes early cardiac fibrosis in chronic hypertension (2026)
-
IL-10 Drives Macrophage to Myofibroblast Transition Promoting Chronic Fibrosis in the Failing Heart 9287 (2025)
-
P2X7 Drives T-cell Activation Promoting Chronic Inflammation During High Blood Pressure 9289 (2025)
-
Kidney resident-memory CD8+ T cells drive chronic high blood pressure 9288 (2025)
-
Kidney Memory for Salt Sensitivity Resides in T Cells Driving Chronic Hypertension (2025)
-
Uncovering immune pathways for therapeutic targeting of hypertension (2025)
-
Immune Dysregulation Connecting Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Complications (2025)
-
Cytokine-induced Macrophage Transition Drives Cardiac Fibrosis and Diastolic Dysfunction (2025)
-
Establishment of resident memory T cells anchors hypertension in the kidney (2025)
-
T Cells Drive Kidney Memory for Hypertension (2024)
-
Abstract P200: Immune memory contributes to chronic hypertension recurrence (2024)
-
Abstract P335: An innate immune component in hypertension-induced cardiac dysfunction Christoph Mora, Katherine Deck, Yunmeng Liu, Lance Benson, Tonya Rafferty, & Shengyu Mu (2024)
Federal Grants 1 $717,457 total
Metabolic Rewiring of T Cells Bridges Diabetes to Hypertension
Research Interests
Metabolic syndrome persists as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among adults in the United States. Specifically, the co-existence of diabetes and hypertension, hallmark components of metabolic syndrome, stand as primary contributors to cardiovascular disease and subsequent mortality. Thus, it is important to identify the pathogenic connection between diabetes and hypertension. Ample evidence suggested the involvement of immune cells, particularly T cells, in the pathogenesis of diabetes and hypertension. However, the precise mechanisms by which immune dysregulation associated with diabetes contributes to hypertension are not fully understood. Our research centers on investigating new intrinsic cellular mechanisms existing in diabetic conditions, which sustain chronic T cell activation and accentuate the progression of cardiovascular complications.
Grants & Funding
As listed on this researcher's institutional profile. Federal awards with verified records are shown above.
- T cell homing to the kidney contributes to salt retention and blood pressure regulation - Continuation NIH/Nat. Heart, Lung & Blood Institute Co-Investigator
- Role of Immune Cells in kidney in the Development of Salt-Sensitive Hypertension American Heart Association (SouthWest Affiliate) Other Key Personnel
- ATP and insulin contribute to chronic inflammation via promoting T-cell activation and memory formation NIH/Nat. Inst. of General Medical Sciences Principal Investigator
- Formation of CD8Trms in the kidney contributes to salt-memory of hypertension American Heart Association Co-Investigator
Collaboration Network
Top Collaborators
- Eplerenone Attenuates Fibrosis in the Contralateral Kidney of UUO Rats by Preventing Macrophage-to-Myofibroblast Transition
- The link between immunity and hypertension in the kidney and heart
- The IFNγ‐PDL1 Pathway Enhances the Interaction Between CD8 <sup>+</sup> T Cells and Distal Convoluted Tubules to Promote Salt‐Sensitive Hypertension
- Abstract 021: Activated Cd8 <sup>+</sup> T Cells Interact With Distal Convoluted Tubules To Promote Salt-sensitive Hypertension Through The Ifnγ-pdl1 Pathway
- S-40-5: ROLE OF INTERFERON GAMMA IN T CELL MEDIATED SALT-RETENTION IN THE KIDNEY AND PROGRESSION OF HYPERTENSION
Showing 5 of 20 shared publications
- The link between immunity and hypertension in the kidney and heart
- Abstract 021: Activated Cd8 <sup>+</sup> T Cells Interact With Distal Convoluted Tubules To Promote Salt-sensitive Hypertension Through The Ifnγ-pdl1 Pathway
- S-40-5: ROLE OF INTERFERON GAMMA IN T CELL MEDIATED SALT-RETENTION IN THE KIDNEY AND PROGRESSION OF HYPERTENSION
- Macrophage to Myofibroblast Transition in Diastolic Dysfunction Development
- Macrophage to Myofibroblast Transition Promotes Hypertension-Induced Cardiac Diastolic Dysfunction
Showing 5 of 18 shared publications
- The link between immunity and hypertension in the kidney and heart
- S-40-5: ROLE OF INTERFERON GAMMA IN T CELL MEDIATED SALT-RETENTION IN THE KIDNEY AND PROGRESSION OF HYPERTENSION
- Macrophage to Myofibroblast Transition in Diastolic Dysfunction Development
- Macrophage to Myofibroblast Transition Promotes Hypertension-Induced Cardiac Diastolic Dysfunction
- Kidney resident memory CD8 T cells mediate recurrence of salt-sensitive hypertension
Showing 5 of 17 shared publications
- The link between immunity and hypertension in the kidney and heart
- The IFNγ‐PDL1 Pathway Enhances the Interaction Between CD8 <sup>+</sup> T Cells and Distal Convoluted Tubules to Promote Salt‐Sensitive Hypertension
- Abstract 021: Activated Cd8 <sup>+</sup> T Cells Interact With Distal Convoluted Tubules To Promote Salt-sensitive Hypertension Through The Ifnγ-pdl1 Pathway
- S-40-5: ROLE OF INTERFERON GAMMA IN T CELL MEDIATED SALT-RETENTION IN THE KIDNEY AND PROGRESSION OF HYPERTENSION
- Macrophage to Myofibroblast Transition in Diastolic Dysfunction Development
Showing 5 of 12 shared publications
- The link between immunity and hypertension in the kidney and heart
- The IFNγ‐PDL1 Pathway Enhances the Interaction Between CD8 <sup>+</sup> T Cells and Distal Convoluted Tubules to Promote Salt‐Sensitive Hypertension
- S-40-5: ROLE OF INTERFERON GAMMA IN T CELL MEDIATED SALT-RETENTION IN THE KIDNEY AND PROGRESSION OF HYPERTENSION
- Macrophage to Myofibroblast Transition in Diastolic Dysfunction Development
- Macrophage to Myofibroblast Transition Promotes Hypertension-Induced Cardiac Diastolic Dysfunction
Showing 5 of 10 shared publications
- P227 MACROPHAGE TO MYOFIBROBLAST TRANSITION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION
- Abstract P200: Immune memory contributes to chronic hypertension recurrence
- T Cells Drive Kidney Memory for Hypertension
- Establishment of resident memory T cells anchors hypertension in the kidney
- Cytokine-induced Macrophage Transition Drives Cardiac Fibrosis and Diastolic Dysfunction
Showing 5 of 10 shared publications
- Establishment of resident memory T cells anchors hypertension in the kidney
- Cytokine-induced Macrophage Transition Drives Cardiac Fibrosis and Diastolic Dysfunction
- Immune Dysregulation Connecting Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Complications
- Uncovering immune pathways for therapeutic targeting of hypertension
- Kidney Memory for Salt Sensitivity Resides in T Cells Driving Chronic Hypertension
Showing 5 of 7 shared publications
- Cytokine-induced Macrophage Transition Drives Cardiac Fibrosis and Diastolic Dysfunction
- Kidney Memory for Salt Sensitivity Resides in T Cells Driving Chronic Hypertension
- Kidney resident-memory CD8+ T cells drive chronic high blood pressure 9288
- IL-10 Drives Macrophage to Myofibroblast Transition Promoting Chronic Fibrosis in the Failing Heart 9287
- The IFNγ‐PDL1 Pathway Enhances the Interaction Between CD8 <sup>+</sup> T Cells and Distal Convoluted Tubules to Promote Salt‐Sensitive Hypertension
- Abstract 021: Activated Cd8 <sup>+</sup> T Cells Interact With Distal Convoluted Tubules To Promote Salt-sensitive Hypertension Through The Ifnγ-pdl1 Pathway
- S-40-5: ROLE OF INTERFERON GAMMA IN T CELL MEDIATED SALT-RETENTION IN THE KIDNEY AND PROGRESSION OF HYPERTENSION
- Establishment of resident memory T cells anchors hypertension in the kidney
- Immune Dysregulation Connecting Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Complications
- Uncovering immune pathways for therapeutic targeting of hypertension
- Abstract 021: Activated Cd8 <sup>+</sup> T Cells Interact With Distal Convoluted Tubules To Promote Salt-sensitive Hypertension Through The Ifnγ-pdl1 Pathway
- Establishment of resident memory T cells anchors hypertension in the kidney
- Immune Dysregulation Connecting Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Complications
- Uncovering immune pathways for therapeutic targeting of hypertension
- Eplerenone Attenuates Fibrosis in the Contralateral Kidney of UUO Rats by Preventing Macrophage-to-Myofibroblast Transition
- Eplerenone Attenuates Fibrosis in the Contralateral Kidney of UUO Rats by Preventing Macrophage-to-Myofibroblast Transition
- Eplerenone Attenuates Fibrosis in the Contralateral Kidney of UUO Rats by Preventing Macrophage-to-Myofibroblast Transition
Similar Researchers
Based on overlapping research topics