The main aim of our lab is to identify the molecular mechanisms in chronic inflammatory liver disorders and liver cancer while working towards identifying novel biomarkers of disease and therapeutic interventions. We have created several acute and chronic liver diseases model to study the mechanistic link and drug effect. Also, utilize patient samples and relevant cell culture systems to study the cellular and molecular mechanism to improve the understanding and treatment of liver disease. Currently, our lab focusing the microRNA-based therapeutic approach to liver cancer and other cirrhotic complications.

Dr. Balasubramaniyan Vairappan Additional Professor balasubramaniyan[dot]v[at]jipmer[dot]edu[dot]in

Biography:

Dr Balasubramaniyan Vairappan is an Additional Professor at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) in Pondicherry, India. His passion for patient care and research led him to specialize in Hepatology, a field he finds both fascinating and rewarding to study. His primary research interest include translational studies on disease-related conditions such as cirrhosis complications, NAFLD, ALD and hepatocellular carcinoma. Dr Vairappan completed his postdoctoral training at the Institute of Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, UK. There he contributed extensively to human and rodent liver research models. His pioneering work has earned him numerous research grants from top UK funding agencies, including the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council. Notably, UCL has filled a patent for the use of obeticholic acid, an FXR agonist, to treat portal hypertension. With over 80 peer-reviewed publications in international journals, Dr Vairappan has also authored a book, several chapters, and reviews. Outstanding contributions to science were recognized in 2013 when he was awarded  the prestigious Ramalingaswami Fellowship from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, in 2013. He served as Associate Dean (Research) at JIPMER from 2019 to 2022. He established a liver disease research lab at JIPMER, securing nearly three crores in funding from DBT, SERB, ICMR and DST, in addition to multiple intramural grants. Dr Vairappan has mentored numerous Postgraduates, PhD scholars, Junior and Senior Research Fellows, and Post-Doc Fellows in their research projects. He is an active member of several international and national conference societies and serve as an editorial board member and reviewer of several international peer-reviewed journals and funding bodies. He has presented his research at over seventy international conferences and has received more than thirty awards from national and international organizations.

The focus of his lab is on the role of microRNAs, tight junction and gap junction proteins, and nitric oxide in various liver disease models. These studies are conducted both in vivo and in vitro using a range of interventions, including pharmacological agents, receptor agonists, and natural antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds.  

Selected Publications

1. Balasubramaniyan Vairappan,Victor Mukherjee, Siva Bala Subramanian, Amit Kumar Ram, and Ravikumar T.S. Nimbolide attenuates hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating miRNAs 21, 145 and 221 and their target gene expression. Gene 2025; 937:1-12.
2. Balasubramaniyan V*, Ravikumar TS, Ram AK, Biju P and Pazanivel M. NOSTRIN is an emerging negative regulator of decompensated cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. Digestive and liver disease 2024; Sep 17:S1590-8658(24)00969-1.
3. Balasubramaniyan V*, Wright, G, Sundhar M, and Ravikumar TS. Candesartan Cilexetil Ameliorates NOSTRIN-NO Dependent Portal Hypertension in Cirrhosis and ACLF. European Journal of Pharmacology 2023 958: 1-10.
4. Balasubramaniyan V*, Wright, G, and Ravikumar TS. Incidence, diagnosis, and management of hepatocellular carcinoma: current perspectives and future direction. Journal of Digestive Diseases and Hepatology; 2023; 8 (1):1-12.
5. Amit Kumar Ram, Balasubramaniyan V* and Srinivas BH. Nimbolide attenuates gut dysbiosis and prevents bacterial translocation by improving intestinal barrier integrity and ameliorating inflammation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Phytotherapy Research Vol 36 (5); 2143-2160.2022
6. Amit Kumar Ram and Balasubramaniyan V*. Nimbolide inhibits tumor growth by restoring hepatic tight junction integrity and reduced inflammation in an experimental hepatocarcinogenesis. World Journal of Gastroenterology 2020 Dec 7; 26(45): 7131–7152.
7. Sundhar M, Balasubramaniyan V*. Ginkgolide-A attenuates bacterial translocation through activating PXR and improving antimicrobial peptide Reg 3A in cirrhosis. Life Sci. 2020 Sep 15;257:118111. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118111. Epub 2020 Jul 17.
8. Sundhar M, Balasubramaniyan V*. Pregnane X receptor activation by its natural ligand Ginkgolide-A improves tight junction proteins expression and attenuates bacterial translocation in cirrhosis. Chemico-Biological Interactions 2020 Jan 5;315:108891.
9. Balasubramaniyan V. Sundhar M, Srinivas BH. Resveratrol Restores Neuronal Tight Junction Proteins Through Correction of Ammonia and Inflammation in CCl4-Induced Cirrhotic Mice. Molecular Neurobiology Oct 2018;56(7):4718-4729.
10. Balasubramaniyan V*. Renal ammonia metabolism in liver diseases. Gastroenterol Hepatol Open Access. 2018;9(2):60–63.
11. Balasubramaniyan V, G Mehta, Jones H, V Sharma, Davies N.A, Jalan R, Mookerjee R.P. Post-Transcriptional Regulation of Hepatic DDAH-1 with TNFα Blockade Leads to Improved eNOS Function and Reduced Portal Pressure In Cirrhotic Rats. Scientific Reports (Nature group journals) 2017 Dec 20;7(1):17900. Dec 2017(1):17900. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-18094-3.
12. Balasubramaniyan V. Endothelial dysfunction in cirrhosis: Role of inflammation and oxidative stress. World Journal of Hepatology 2015; 7(3): 443-59.
13. Balasubramaniyan V, Dhar DK, Warner AE, Vivien Li WY, Amiri AF, Bright B, Mookerjee RP, Davies NA, Becker DL and Jalan R. Importance of Connexin-43 based gap junction in cirrhosis and acute on chronic liver failure. Journal of Hepatology 2013; 58: 1194-1200.
14. Mookerjee RP, Balasubramaniyan V, Mehta G, Mohamed F, Davies N, Sharma V, Iwakiri Y, Jalan R. Hepatic Dimethylarginine-Dimethylaminohydrolase1 is Reduced in Cirrhosis and is a Target for Therapy in Portal Hypertension. Journal of Hepatology 2015; 62(2): 325-31.
15. Jalan R, Balasubramaniyan V, De Chiara F, Andreola F, Khetan V, Malago M, Pinzani M, Mookerjee RP, Rombouts K. Ammonia produces pathological changes in human hepatic stellate cells and is a target of therapy of portal hypertension. Journal of Hepatology 2016; 64(4): 823-33.
16. Balasubramaniyan V, Wright G, Sharma V, Davies NA, Sharifi Y, Habtesion A, Mookerjee RP, Jalan R. Ammonia reduction with ornithine phenylacetate restores brain eNOS activity via the DDAH-ADMA pathway in bile duct-ligated cirrhotic rats. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2012; 302(1): G145-52.
17. Balasubramaniyan V, Wright G, Stadlbauer V, Mookerjee RP, Davies NA, Jalan R. Reduction in hyperammonaemia by ornithine phenylacetate prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced brain edema and coma in cirrhotic rats. Liver International 2012; 32(3): 410-9.
18. Mookerjee RP, Balasubramaniyan V, Jalan R.ADMA and hepatic endothelial dysfunction in cirrhosis - the DDAH isoform is the key. Liver International 2012; 32 (7): 1186-87.
19. Gavin Wright, Robin Soper, Heather F Brooks, Vanessa Stalbauer, Balasubramaniyan V, Nathan A Davies et al. Role of Aquaporin 4 in the Development of Brain Edema in Liver Failure. Journal of Hepatology 2010 53(1): 91-7.
20. Mookerjee RP, Balasubramaniyan V, Jalan R. The puzzle of endothelial nitric oxide synthase dysfunction in portal hypertension: The missing piece? Hepatology 2007; 46(3): 943-6.

Membership in professional bodies

• Editorial Board Member, World Journal of Gastroenterology
• Editorial Board Member, World Journal of Hepatology (2014-2018)
• Member, International Liver Cancer Association
• Member, Singapore Hepatology Conference
• Member, European Association for the Study of the Liver
• Life Member, National Teacher Training Centre for Health Professionals
• Life Member, JIPMER Scientific Society
• Member, Indian Society for Heart Research
• Member, International Society for Hepatic Sinusoidal Research
• Life Member, Indian Society for Atherosclerosis
• Past Member, British Association for the Study of the Liver (2007-2010)