David N. Assis, MD
Research & Publications
Biography
News
Research Summary
I am evaluating the role of an inflammatory protein called macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in autoimmune hepatitis and its ability to predict disease severity, response to therapy, and disease relapse. I am also investigating the potential role of MIF as a chemical mediator between psychological stress and liver inflammation autoimmune hepatitis.
I am evaluating mechanisms of disease and therapies for the treatment of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis including the development of novel bile-derived organoids for the study of this disease.
Extensive Research Description
I am investigating the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in autoimmune hepatitis. Active studies involve serial measurement of serum MIF and its soluble receptor (CD74) in the blood of patients with autoimmune hepatitis, to evaluate if these proteins can serve as biomarkers of disease activity.
I am evaluating cellular mechanisms of the release of the CD74 protein and its neutralizing activity on the cytokine MIF.
I am investigating the role of MIF in the pathophysiology of autoimmune hepatitis in animal models of disease.
A study of the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in autoimmune hepatitis, through clinical and translational investigations.
I am evaluating potential new therapies for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) including all-trans retinoic acid and the development of bile-derived organoids for translational studies in this disease.
Coauthors
Research Interests
Autoimmune Diseases; Cystic Fibrosis; Hepatitis; Liver; Liver Diseases
Public Health Interests
Hepatitis
Selected Publications
- Oral Vancomycin or Ursodeoxycholic Acid for Pediatric Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis? The Uncontroversial Need for Randomized Controlled Trials.Assis DN, Levy C. Oral Vancomycin or Ursodeoxycholic Acid for Pediatric Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis? The Uncontroversial Need for Randomized Controlled Trials. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) 2021, 73: 887-889. PMID: 33403699, DOI: 10.1002/hep.31702.
- Outcome of COVID-19 in Patients With Autoimmune Hepatitis: An International Multicenter Study.Efe C, Dhanasekaran R, Lammert C, Ebik B, Higuera-de la Tijera F, Aloman C, Rıza Calışkan A, Peralta M, Gerussi A, Massoumi H, Catana AM, Torgutalp M, Purnak T, Rigamonti C, Gomez Aldana AJ, Khakoo N, Kacmaz H, Nazal L, Frager S, Demir N, Irak K, Ellik ZM, Balaban Y, Atay K, Eren F, Cristoferi L, Batıbay E, Urzua Á, Snijders R, Kıyıcı M, Akyıldız M, Ekin N, Carr RM, Harputluoğlu M, Hatemi I, Mendizabal M, Silva M, Idilman R, Silveira M, Drenth JPH, Assis DN, Björnsson E, Boyer JL, Invernizzi P, Levy C, Schiano TD, Ridruejo E, Wahlin S. Outcome of COVID-19 in Patients With Autoimmune Hepatitis: An International Multicenter Study. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) 2021, 73: 2099-2109. PMID: 33713486, PMCID: PMC8250536, DOI: 10.1002/hep.31797.
- Treatment of Metastatic Extramammary Paget Disease with Combination Ipilimumab and Nivolumab: A Case Report.Guercio BJ, Iyer G, Kidwai WZ, Lacouture ME, Ghafoor S, Rossi AM, Assis DN, Chen YB, Busam KJ, Janjigian YY, Jhaveri K, Feldman DR, Capozzi A, Figueroa V, Bajorin DF, Rosenberg JE, Hollmann TJ, Funt SA. Treatment of Metastatic Extramammary Paget Disease with Combination Ipilimumab and Nivolumab: A Case Report. Case Reports In Oncology 2021, 14: 430-438. PMID: 33790764, PMCID: PMC7983595, DOI: 10.1159/000514345.
- Role of Biliary Organoids in Cholestasis Research and Regenerative Medicine.Soroka CJ, Roberts SJ, Boyer JL, Assis DN. Role of Biliary Organoids in Cholestasis Research and Regenerative Medicine. Seminars In Liver Disease 2021, 41: 206-212. PMID: 33957696, DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1728663.
- Effects of Vedolizumab in Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.Lynch KD, Chapman RW, Keshav S, Montano-Loza AJ, Mason AL, Kremer AE, Vetter M, de Krijger M, Ponsioen CY, Trivedi P, Hirschfield G, Schramm C, Liu CH, Bowlus CL, Estes DJ, Pratt D, Hedin C, Bergquist A, de Vries AC, van der Woude CJ, Yu L, Assis DN, Boyer J, Ytting H, Hallibasic E, Trauner M, Marschall HU, Daretti LM, Marzioni M, Yimam KK, Perin N, Floreani A, Beretta-Piccoli BT, Rogers JK, Levy C. Effects of Vedolizumab in Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Clinical Gastroenterology And Hepatology : The Official Clinical Practice Journal Of The American Gastroenterological Association 2020, 18: 179-187.e6. PMID: 31100458, PMCID: PMC6941216, DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2019.05.013.
- Machine Learning in a Complex Disease: PREsTo Improves the Prognostication of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.Shung DL, Assis DN. Machine Learning in a Complex Disease: PREsTo Improves the Prognostication of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) 2020, 71: 8-10. PMID: 31850533, DOI: 10.1002/hep.31069.
- Diagnosis and Management of Autoimmune Hepatitis in Adults and Children: 2019 Practice Guidance and Guidelines From the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.Mack CL, Adams D, Assis DN, Kerkar N, Manns MP, Mayo MJ, Vierling JM, Alsawas M, Murad MH, Czaja AJ. Diagnosis and Management of Autoimmune Hepatitis in Adults and Children: 2019 Practice Guidance and Guidelines From the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) 2020, 72: 671-722. PMID: 31863477, DOI: 10.1002/hep.31065.
- Immunopathogenesis of Autoimmune Hepatitis.Assis DN. Immunopathogenesis of Autoimmune Hepatitis. Clinical Liver Disease 2020, 15: 129-132. PMID: 32257125, PMCID: PMC7128031, DOI: 10.1002/cld.873.
- Fenofibrate Improves Liver Function and Reduces the Toxicity of the Bile Acid Pool in Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Who Are Partial Responders to Ursodiol.Ghonem NS, Auclair AM, Hemme CL, Gallucci GM, de la Rosa Rodriguez R, Boyer JL, Assis DN. Fenofibrate Improves Liver Function and Reduces the Toxicity of the Bile Acid Pool in Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Who Are Partial Responders to Ursodiol. Clinical Pharmacology And Therapeutics 2020, 108: 1213-1223. PMID: 32480421, PMCID: PMC7886378, DOI: 10.1002/cpt.1930.
- Immunosuppressive Treatment Regimens in Autoimmune Hepatitis: Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Supporting American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Guidelines.Vierling JM, Kerkar N, Czaja AJ, Mack CL, Adams D, Assis D, Manns MP, Mayo MJ, Nayfeh T, Majzoub AMM, Alzuabi MA, Ding J, Haffar S, Murad MH, Alsawas M. Immunosuppressive Treatment Regimens in Autoimmune Hepatitis: Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Supporting American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Guidelines. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) 2020, 72: 753-769. PMID: 32500593, DOI: 10.1002/hep.31407.
- A Systematic Review of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Primary Biliary Cholangitis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.Kim HP, Lieber SR, Rogers ME, Moon AM, Loiselle M, Walker J, Assis DN, Safer R, Gomel R, Evon DM. A Systematic Review of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Primary Biliary Cholangitis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. Hepatology Communications 2020, 4: 1502-1515. PMID: 33024919, PMCID: PMC7527768, DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1567.
- The Immunopathogenesis of Autoimmune HepatitisClinical Liver Disease (in press)
- Bile-Derived Organoids From Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Recapitulate Their Inflammatory Immune Profile.Soroka CJ, Assis DN, Alrabadi LS, Roberts S, Cusack L, Jaffe AB, Boyer JL. Bile-Derived Organoids From Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Recapitulate Their Inflammatory Immune Profile. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) 2019, 70: 871-882. PMID: 30561836, DOI: 10.1002/hep.30470.
- Clinical utility of genomic analysis in adults with idiopathic liver disease.Hakim A, Zhang X, DeLisle A, Oral EA, Dykas D, Drzewiecki K, Assis DN, Silveira M, Batisti J, Jain D, Bale A, Mistry PK, Vilarinho S. Clinical utility of genomic analysis in adults with idiopathic liver disease. Journal Of Hepatology 2019, 70: 1214-1221. PMID: 31000363, PMCID: PMC6526061, DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2019.01.036.
- Patient-Derived Organoids from Human Bile: An In Vitro Method to Study Cholangiopathies.Soroka CJ, Assis DN, Boyer JL. Patient-Derived Organoids from Human Bile: An In Vitro Method to Study Cholangiopathies. Methods In Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.) 2019, 1981: 363-372. PMID: 31016667, DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9420-5_24.
- The Contribution of B Cells in Autoimmune Liver Diseases.Taylor SA, Assis DN, Mack CL. The Contribution of B Cells in Autoimmune Liver Diseases. Seminars In Liver Disease 2019, 39: 422-431. PMID: 31226726, PMCID: PMC6800599, DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1688751.
- Chapter 43: Primary and Secondary Sclerosing CholangitisBowlus CL, Assis DN, Goldberg DS. Zakim and Boyer’s Hepatology: A Textbook of Liver Disease. Elsevier (7th Edition).
- Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Is Not Rare Among Blacks in a Multicenter North American Consortium.Goldberg DS, Levy C, Yimam K, Gordon SC, Forman L, Verna E, Yu L, Rahimi R, Schwarz K, Eksteen B, Pratt D, Boyer JL, Assis D, Bowlus C. Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Is Not Rare Among Blacks in a Multicenter North American Consortium. Clinical Gastroenterology And Hepatology : The Official Clinical Practice Journal Of The American Gastroenterological Association 2018, 16: 591-593. PMID: 29102704, PMCID: PMC5860952, DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2017.10.028.
- Histologic features of autoimmune hepatitis: a critical appraisal.Gurung A, Assis DN, McCarty TR, Mitchell KA, Boyer JL, Jain D. Histologic features of autoimmune hepatitis: a critical appraisal. Human Pathology 2018, 82: 51-60. PMID: 30041025, DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2018.07.014.
- Chronic Complications of Cholestasis: Evaluation and Management.Assis DN. Chronic Complications of Cholestasis: Evaluation and Management. Clinics In Liver Disease 2018, 22: 533-544. PMID: 30259851, DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2018.03.014.
- Gallbladder and bile duct disease in Cystic Fibrosis.Assis DN, Debray D. Gallbladder and bile duct disease in Cystic Fibrosis. Journal Of Cystic Fibrosis : Official Journal Of The European Cystic Fibrosis Society 2017, 16 Suppl 2: S62-S69. PMID: 28986023, DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2017.07.006.
- Combination Therapy of All-Trans Retinoic Acid With Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: A Human Pilot Study.Assis DN, Abdelghany O, Cai SY, Gossard AA, Eaton JE, Keach JC, Deng Y, Setchell KD, Ciarleglio M, Lindor KD, Boyer JL. Combination Therapy of All-Trans Retinoic Acid With Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: A Human Pilot Study. Journal Of Clinical Gastroenterology 2017, 51: e11-e16. PMID: 27428727, PMCID: PMC5218875, DOI: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000000591.
- The interpretation of hepatic venous pressure gradient tracings - excellent interobserver agreement unrelated to experience.Tandon P, Ripoll C, Assis D, Wongcharatrawee S, Groszmann RJ, Garcia-Tsao G. The interpretation of hepatic venous pressure gradient tracings - excellent interobserver agreement unrelated to experience. Liver International : Official Journal Of The International Association For The Study Of The Liver 2016, 36: 1160-6. PMID: 26763558, DOI: 10.1111/liv.13065.
- Gastrointestinal Disorders in Cystic Fibrosis.Assis DN, Freedman SD. Gastrointestinal Disorders in Cystic Fibrosis. Clinics In Chest Medicine 2016, 37: 109-18. PMID: 26857772, DOI: 10.1016/j.ccm.2015.11.004.
- The clinical significance of the MIF homolog d-dopachrome tautomerase (MIF-2) and its circulating receptor (sCD74) in burn.Kim BS, Stoppe C, Grieb G, Leng L, Sauler M, Assis D, Simons D, Boecker AH, Schulte W, Piecychna M, Hager S, Bernhagen J, Pallua N, Bucala R. The clinical significance of the MIF homolog d-dopachrome tautomerase (MIF-2) and its circulating receptor (sCD74) in burn. Burns : Journal Of The International Society For Burn Injuries 2016, 42: 1265-76. PMID: 27209369, PMCID: PMC5010466, DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2016.02.005.
- A Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Polymorphism Is Associated with Autoimmune Hepatitis Severity in US and Japanese Patients.Assis DN, Takahashi H, Leng L, Zeniya M, Boyer JL, Bucala R. A Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Polymorphism Is Associated with Autoimmune Hepatitis Severity in US and Japanese Patients. Digestive Diseases And Sciences 2016, 61: 3506-3512. PMID: 27696094, PMCID: PMC5106299, DOI: 10.1007/s10620-016-4322-z.
- Editorial: environmental risk factors for PSC with and without IBD--the story unfolds.Assis DN, Levy C. Editorial: environmental risk factors for PSC with and without IBD--the story unfolds. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics 2015, 41: 1214-6. PMID: 25939466, DOI: 10.1111/apt.13186.
- Fibrates and cholestasis.Ghonem NS, Assis DN, Boyer JL. Fibrates and cholestasis. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) 2015, 62: 635-43. PMID: 25678132, PMCID: PMC4515188, DOI: 10.1002/hep.27744.
- The role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in autoimmune liver disease.Assis DN, Leng L, Du X, Zhang CK, Grieb G, Merk M, Garcia AB, McCrann C, Chapiro J, Meinhardt A, Mizue Y, Nikolic-Paterson DJ, Bernhagen J, Kaplan MM, Zhao H, Boyer JL, Bucala R. The role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in autoimmune liver disease. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) 2014, 59: 580-91. PMID: 23913513, PMCID: PMC3877200, DOI: 10.1002/hep.26664.
- Now you see it, now you don’t.Plotkin E, Assis DN, Boyer JL. Hepatology. 2013;58:446-447 (Case Report)
- Successful treatment of a bleeding umbilical varix by percutaneous umbilical vein embolization with sclerotherapy.Assis DN, Pollak J, Schilsky ML, Emre S. Successful treatment of a bleeding umbilical varix by percutaneous umbilical vein embolization with sclerotherapy. Journal Of Clinical Gastroenterology 2012, 46: 115-8. PMID: 21897280, DOI: 10.1097/MCG.0b013e31822b7f9a.
- New pharmacotherapy for hepatitis C.Assis DN, Lim JK. New pharmacotherapy for hepatitis C. Clinical Pharmacology And Therapeutics 2012, 92: 294-305. PMID: 22850602, DOI: 10.1038/clpt.2012.103.
- Successful treatment of fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis after liver transplantation.Cimsit B, Assis D, Caldwell C, Arvelakis A, Taddei T, Kulkarni S, Schilsky M, Emre S. Successful treatment of fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis after liver transplantation. Transplantation Proceedings 2011, 43: 905-8. PMID: 21486625, DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2011.02.034.
- Testing and management of thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy in the pre- and postliver transplant patient.Assis DN, Schilsky ML. Testing and management of thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy in the pre- and postliver transplant patient. Minerva Gastroenterologica E Dietologica 2010, 56: 331-43. PMID: 21037549.
- Dilated cisternae chyli: a sign of uncompensated cirrhosis at MR imaging.Verma SK, Mitchell DG, Bergin D, Lakhman Y, Austin A, Verma M, Assis D, Herrine SK, Parker L. Dilated cisternae chyli: a sign of uncompensated cirrhosis at MR imaging. Abdominal Imaging 2009, 34: 211-6. PMID: 18219518, DOI: 10.1007/s00261-008-9369-7.
- Post-sphincterotomy transampullary balloon dilation is a safe and effective technique.Kowalski T, Nathwani RA, Assis D, Salese L, Banwait K, Loren D. Post-sphincterotomy transampullary balloon dilation is a safe and effective technique. Digestive Diseases And Sciences 2009, 54: 670-4. PMID: 18594970, DOI: 10.1007/s10620-008-0376-x.
- Human drug hepatotoxicity: a contemporary clinical perspective.Assis DN, Navarro VJ. Human drug hepatotoxicity: a contemporary clinical perspective. Expert Opinion On Drug Metabolism & Toxicology 2009, 5: 463-73. PMID: 19416083, DOI: 10.1517/17425250902927386.
- Use of over-the-counter analgesics in patients with chronic liver disease: physicians' recommendations.Rossi S, Assis DN, Awsare M, Brunner M, Skole K, Rai J, Andrel J, Herrine SK, Reddy RK, Navarro VJ. Use of over-the-counter analgesics in patients with chronic liver disease: physicians' recommendations. Drug Safety 2008, 31: 261-70. PMID: 18302450, DOI: 10.2165/00002018-200831030-00007.
- Diversity of escape variant mutations in Simian virus 40 large tumor antigen (SV40 Tag) epitopes selected by cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones.Mylin LM, Schell TD, Epler M, Kusuma C, Assis D, Matsko C, Smith A, Allebach A, Tevethia SS. Diversity of escape variant mutations in Simian virus 40 large tumor antigen (SV40 Tag) epitopes selected by cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones. Virology 2007, 364: 155-68. PMID: 17368499, PMCID: PMC3866617, DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2007.02.007.
- Effects of immunosuppressive drugs on COVID-19 severity in patients with autoimmune hepatitis.Efe C, Lammert C, Taşçılar K, Dhanasekaran R, Ebik B, Higuera-de la Tijera F, Calışkan AR, Peralta M, Gerussi A, Massoumi H, Catana AM, Purnak T, Rigamonti C, Aldana AJG, Khakoo N, Nazal L, Frager S, Demir N, Irak K, Melekoğlu-Ellik Z, Kacmaz H, Balaban Y, Atay K, Eren F, Alvares-da-Silva MR, Cristoferi L, Urzua Á, Eşkazan T, Magro B, Snijders R, Barutçu S, Lytvyak E, Zazueta GM, Demirezer-Bolat A, Aydın M, Heurgue-Berlot A, De Martin E, Ekin N, Yıldırım S, Yavuz A, Bıyık M, Narro GC, Kıyıcı M, Akyıldız M, Kahramanoğlu-Aksoy E, Vincent M, Carr RM, Günşar F, Reyes EC, Harputluoğlu M, Aloman C, Gatselis NK, Üstündağ Y, Brahm J, Vargas NCE, Güzelbulut F, Garcia SR, Aguirre J, Anders M, Ratusnu N, Hatemi I, Mendizabal M, Floreani A, Fagiuoli S, Silva M, Idilman R, Satapathy SK, Silveira M, Drenth JPH, Dalekos GN, Assis DN, Björnsson E, Boyer JL, Yoshida EM, Invernizzi P, Levy C, Montano-Loza AJ, Schiano TD, Ridruejo E, Wahlin S. Effects of immunosuppressive drugs on COVID-19 severity in patients with autoimmune hepatitis. Liver International : Official Journal Of The International Association For The Study Of The Liver 2022, 42: 607-614. PMID: 34846800, DOI: 10.1111/liv.15121.
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction may decrease stress, disease activity, and inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with autoimmune hepatitis.Alrabadi LS, Dutton A, Rabiee A, Roberts SJ, Deng Y, Cusack L, Silveira MG, Ciarleglio M, Bucala R, Sinha R, Boyer JL, Assis DN. Mindfulness-based stress reduction may decrease stress, disease activity, and inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with autoimmune hepatitis. JHEP Reports (Online) 2022, 4: 100450. PMID: 35434588, PMCID: PMC9011026, DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100450.
Clinical Trials
Conditions | Study Title |
---|---|
Diseases of the Digestive System - Liver; Diseases of the Digestive System - Pancreas; Diseases of the Digestive System - Small Intestines, Large Intestines & Rectum | Study of Elafibranor in Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) (ELATIVE) |
Immune System | Seladelpar in Subjects With Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) |
Diseases of the Digestive System - Liver | Phase 2a Evaluation of Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of PLN-74809 in Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) |
Diseases of the Digestive System - Liver | Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Cilofexor in Non-Cirrhotic Adults With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PRIMIS) |
Diseases of the Digestive System - Liver | A 5-year Longitudinal Observational Study of Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis |
Diseases of the Digestive System - Liver | Mindfulness to treat fatigue in patients with PBC |
Hepatitis; HIV/AIDS; Immune System; Infectious Diseases | Screening In Anticipation of Future Research |