Lillian Cruz-Orengo

Associate Professor

Anatomy, Physiology & Cell Biology

Phone Number

+1 530 752 7318

Office

1089 Veterinary Medicine Dr. 2019 VM3b, Davis, CA 95616

Education

2005, PhD, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico

1988, B.S., University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico

2013, Washington University, School of Medicine, Saint Lous, MO

Research Focus

My research focuses on the neuro-immune interactions at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) as a relevant contributor to neuropathogenesis and neuroinflammation, towards finding non-immunosuppressive therapeutic targets. Secondly, I aim to elucidate if focal alterations to BBB homeostasis are a sufficient predisposition to neuropathology, as opposed to the notion of a global BBB disruption as triggering factor for neuroinflammation. Third, the assessment of non-genetic triggering factors, including environmental exposure, nutrition, stress, etc. that cause BBB disruption through epigenetic modification of the neurovascular unit.

Specialty Focus

Neuroimmunology, Neuroinflammation, Brain Barriers, Molecular Neuroscience, Autoimmunity

Ten Recent Publications

2021
Dayton JR, Yuan Y, Pacumio LP, Dorflinger BG, Yoo SC, Olson MJ, Hernández SI, McMahon MM, Cruz-Orengo L^
Expression of IL-20 Receptor Subunit Beta is Linked to EAE Neuropathology and CNS Neuroinflammation

2021
Ondek K, Nasirishargh A, Dayton JR, Nuño MA, Cruz-Orengo L^
Strain and sex differences in somatosensation and sociability during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

2020
Yuan Y, Dayton JR, Fresse ML, Dorflinger BG, Cruz-Orengo L^
Reliable Isolation of Central Nervous System Microvessels Across Five Vertebrate Groups

2019
Dayton JR, Franke MC, Yuan Y, Cruz-Orengo L^
Straightforward method for singularized and region-specific CNS microvessels isolation

2019
Brien JD, Hassert M, Stone ET, Geerling E, Cruz-Orengo L, Pinto AK
Isolation and Quantification of Zika Virus from Multiple Organs in a Mouse

2017
Rodriguez RL, Albeck JG, Taha AY, Ori-McKenney KM, Recanzone GH, Stradleigh TW, Hernandez BC, Tang F-Y V, Chiang E-P I, Cruz-Orengo L
Impact of Diet-derived Signaling Molecules on Human Cognition: Exploring the Food-Brain Axis

2014
Daniels BP, Holman DW, Cruz-Orengo L, Jujjavarapu H, Durrant DM, Klein RS
Viral pathogen-associated molecular patterns regulate blood-brain barrier integrity via completing innate cytokine signals

2014
Cruz-Orengo L, Daniels BP, Dorsey D, Basak SA, Grajales-Reyes JG, McCandless EE, Piccio L, Schmidt RE, Cross AH, Crosby SD, Klein RS
Enhanced sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 expression underlies female CNS autoimmunity susceptibility.

2013
Daniels BP, Cruz-Orengo L, Pasieka TJ, Couraud PO, Romero IA, Weksler B, Cooper JA, Doering TL, Klein RS
Immortalized human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells maintain the properties of primary cells in an in vitro model of immune migration across the blood brain barrier.

2011
Cruz-Orengo L, Chen YJ, Kim JH, Dorsey D, Song SK, Klein RS
CXCR7 antagonism prevents axonal injury during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis as revealed by in vivo axial diffusivity.