Sei Higuchi, Ph.D.

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Assistant Professor
Pharmaceutical Sciences
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Ph.D., Pharmacology, Fukuoka UniversityM.S., Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai UniversityB.S., Pharmaceutical Sciences, Josai University

Dr. Sei Higuchi joined St. John’s University in the Fall of 2022 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences within the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Prior to Joining St. John’s, he served as an Associate Research Scientist at Columbia University (2019–22) and a postdoctoral research scientist at Columbia University (2015–19) and Kyoto University (2011–15). Dr. Higuchi earned a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Fukuoka University, Japan. 

Dr. Higuchi has been working on lipid metabolism research for more than 10 years and his research goal is to propose a novel approach to treat obesity and metabolic-related diseases. As a graduate student, he trained in behavioral pharmacology and neuroscience. He spent four years as a postdoctoral research scientist at Kyoto University (Japan), after which he spent seven years at Columbia University to train in intestinal lipid metabolism with a focus on the role of bile acids in intestinal lipid metabolism. His work revealed that bile acids act as regulators of intestinal lipid sensing and food intake regulation.

As he starts an independent laboratory, Dr. Higuchi will focus on intestinal lipid sensing in obesity and obesity-related diseases in three subject areas: satiety and satiation regulation system; fatty food appetite; and obesity-related inflammation and neurodegenerative disease such as depression.

  1. Emiliano AB, Lopatinsky NR, Kraljević M, Higuchi S, He Y, Haeusler RA, Schwartz GJ. Sex-specific differences in metabolic outcomes after sleeve gastrectomy and intermittent fasting in obese middle-aged mice. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2022 Jul 1;323(1):E107-E121.
     
  2. Oteng AB, Higuchi S, Banks AS, Haeusler RA. Cyp2c-deficiency depletes muricholic acids and protects against   high fat diet-induced obesity in male mice but promotes liver damage. Mol Metab. 2021 Nov;53:101326
     
  3. Higuchi S, Ahmad TR, Argueta DA,Perez PA, Zhao C,Schwartz GJ,DiPatrizio NV, HaeuslerRA. Bile acid composition regulates GPR119-dependent intestinal lipid sensing and food intake regulation in mice.Gut. 2020 Feb 28. gutjnl-2019-319693.
     
  4. Higuchi S. The Physiological Importance of Bile Acid Structure and Composition on Glucose Homeostasis. Curr Diab. Rep. 2020 Jul 28;20(9):42.
     
  5. Ahmad TR, Higuchi S, Bertaggia E, Hung A, Shanmugarajah N, Guilz NC, Gamarra JR, Haeusler RA. Bile acid composition regulates the manganese transporter Slc30a10 in intestine. J Biol Chem. 2020 Jul 20;jbc.RA120.012792
     
  6. Honjo M, Yasuhide O, Yamada M, Higuchi S, Mishima K, Tanjina S, Aida TM, Kato T, Misumi M, Suetsugu T, Orii H, Irie K, Sano K, Mishima K, Satho T, Harada T. Characterization and pharmacokinetic evaluation of microcomposite particles of alpha lipoic acid/hydrogenated colza oil obtained in supercritical carbon dioxide.Pharm Dev Technol. 2020 Mar;25(3):359-365. 
     
  7. Higuchi S, Fujikawa R, Nakatsuji M, Yasui M, Ikedo T, Nagata M, Mishima K, Irie K, Matsumoto M, Yokode M, Minami M. EP4 receptor-associated protein (EPRAP) regulates gluconeogenesis in the liver and is associated with hyperglycemia in diabetic mice.Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2019 Mar 1;316(3):E410-E417.
     
  8. Higuchi S, Izquierdo MC, Haeusler RA. Unexpected reciprocal regulation of diabetes and lipoproteins.Curr Opin Lipidol. 2018 Jun;29(3):186-193.
     
  9. Ikedo T, Minami M, Kataoka H, Hayashi K, Nagata M, Fujikawa R, Higuchi S, Yasui M, Aoki T, Fukuda M, Yokode M, Miyamoto S. Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor Anagliptin Prevents Intracranial Aneurysm Growth by Suppressing Macrophage Infiltration and Activation.J Am Heart Assoc. 2017 Jun 19;6(6)
     
  10. Fujikawa R, Higuchi S, Nakatsuji M, Yasui M, Ikedo T, Nagata M, Hayashi K, Yokode M, Minami M. Deficiency in EP4 Receptor-Associated Protein Ameliorates Abnormal Anxiety-Like Behavior and Brain Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer Disease.Am J Pathol. 2017 Aug;187(8):1848-1854.
     
  11. Fujikawa R, Higuchi S, Ikedo T, Nagata M, Hayashi K, Yang T, Miyata T, Yokode M, Minami M. Behavioral abnormalities and reduced norepinephrine in EP4 receptor-associated protein (EPRAP)-deficient mice.Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2017 Apr 29;486(2):584-588.
     
  12. Higuchi S, Fujikawa R, Ikedo T, Hayashi K, Yasui M, Nagata M, Nakatsuji M, Yokode M, Minami M. EP4 receptor–associated protein (EPRAP) in macrophages protects against bleomycin-induced pulmonary inflammation in mice.J Immunol. 2016 Dec 1;197(11):4436-4443.
     
  13. Fujikawa R, Higuchi S, Nakatsuji M, Yasui M, Ikedo T, Nagata M, Yokode M, Minami M. EP4 Receptor-Associated Protein in Microglia Promotes Inflammation in the Brain.Am J Pathol. 2016 Aug;186(8):1982-8.
     
  14. Nakatsuji M, Minami M, Seno H, Higuchi S, Yasui M, Fujikawa R, Kita T, Libby P, Yokode M, Chiba T. EP4 receptor-associated protein in macrophages ameliorates colitis and colitis-associated tumorigenesis.PLoS Genet. 2015 Oct 6;11(10).
     
  15. Yasui M, Tamura Y, Minami M, Higuchi S, Fujikawa R, Ikedo T, Nagata M, Arai H, Murayama T, Yokode M. The Prostaglandin E2 Receptor EP4 Regulates Obesity-Related Inflammation and Insulin Sensitivity.PLoS ONE. 2015 Aug 26;10(8):e0136304.
     
  16. Fukumitsu R, Minami M, Yoshida K, Nagata M, Yasui M, Higuchi S, Fujikawa R, Ikedo T, Yamagata S, Sato Y, Arai H, Yokode M, Miyamoto S. Expression of Vasohibin-1 in Human Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque.J Atheroscler Thromb. 2015;22(9):942-8.
     
  17. Higuchi S, Irie K,, Yamaguchi R, Katsuki M, Araki M, Ohji M, Hayakawa K, Mishima S, Akitake Y, Matsuyama K, Mishima K, Mishima K, Iwasaki K, Fujiwara M. Hypothalamic 2-arachidonoylglycerol regulates multistage process of high-fat diet preferences.PLoS ONE. 2012;7(6):e38609.
     
  18. Higuchi S, Irie K, Nakano T, Sakamoto Y, Akitake Y, Araki M, Ohji M, Furuta R, Katsuki M, Yamaguchi R, Matsuyama K, Mishima K, Mishima K, Iwasaki K, Fujiwara M. Reducing acyl migration during purification of 2-arachidonoylglycerol from biological samples before gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis.Anal Sci. 2010;26(11):1199-202.
     
  19. Higuchi S, Ohji M, Araki M, Furuta R, Katsuki M, Yamaguchi R, Akitake Y, Matsuyama K, Irie K, Mishima K, Mishima K, Iwasaki K, Fujiwara M. Increment of hypothalamic 2-arachidonoylglycerol induces the preference for a high-fat diet via activation of cannabinoid 1 receptors.Behav Brain Res.Behav Brain Res. 2011 Jan 1;216(1):477-80.  
     
  20. Higuchi S, Irie K, Mishima S, Araki M, Ohji M, Shirakawa A, Akitake Y, Matsuyama K, Mishima K, Mishima K, Iwasaki K, Fujiwara M. The cannabinoid 1-receptor silent antagonist O-2050 attenuates preference for high-fat diet and activated astrocytes in mice.J Pharmacol Sci.2010;112(3):369-72.
     
  21. Hayakawa K, Nakano T, Irie K, Higuchi S, Fujioka M, Orito K, Iwasaki K, Jin G, Lo EH, Mishima K, Fujiwara M. Inhibition of reactive astrocytes with fluorocitrate retards neurovascular remodeling and recovery after focal cerebral ischemia in mice.J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2010 Apr;30(4):871-82. 
     
  22. Fujioka M, Hayakawa K, Mishima K, Kunizawa A, Irie K, Higuchi S, Nakano T, Muroi C, Fukushima H, Sugimoto M, Banno F, Kokame K, Miyata T, Fujiwara M, Okuchi K, Nishio K. ADAMTS13 gene deletion aggravates ischemic brain damage: a possible neuroprotective role of ADAMTS13 by ameliorating postischemic hypoperfusion.Blood. 2010 Feb 25;115(8):1650-3.
     
  23. Sano K, Koushi E, Irie K, Higuchi S, Tsuchihashi R, Kinjo J, Egashira N, Oishi R, Uchida N, Nagai H, Nishimura R, Tanaka H, Morimoto S, Mishima K, Iwasaki K, Fujiwara M. Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol enhances an increase of plasma corticosterone levels induced by forced swim-stress.Biol Pharm Bull. 2009 Dec;32(12):2065-7.
     
  24. Hayakawa K, Irie K, Sano K, Watanabe T, Higuchi S, Enoki M, Nakano T, Harada K, Ishikane S, Ikeda T, Fujioka M, Orito K, Iwasaki K, Mishima K, Fujiwara M. Therapeutic time window of cannabidiol treatment on delayed ischemic damage via high-mobility group box1-inhibiting mechanism.Biol Pharm Bull. 2009 Sep;32(9):1538-44.