Hui Cai MD
Overview
Dr. Hui Cai received his medical degree from Wenzhou Medical College, China. He did his residency training in Wenzhou Medical College and his Nephrology training in Hua Shan Hospital at Fudan University School of Medicine (Formerly Shanghai Medical University) in China. In 1992, Dr. Cai came to LSU Medical Center at New Orleans and Tulane University School of Medicine for his post-docteral fellow training. He subsequently went on for Internal Medicine residency training at Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, New York in 1997 and for Nephrology fellowship training at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Maryland in 2000. After finishing his fellowship Dr. Cai became an Instructor and later promoted to Assistant Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He was recruited to Emory University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Cai is currently an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Physiology. The main research interests in his laboratory is to investigate the role of WNK kinase in the regulation of renal sodium chloride cotransporter and Maxi K channel. His research has been supported by NIH and AHA fundings. His clinical expertise includes general nephrology and hypertension.
The main interests of Dr. Cai's laboratory are to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of sodium chloride cotransporter and Maxi K channel by WNK kinase. The WNK (with no lysine (k)) kinase is a novel serine/threonine kinase. The mutations in two members of this kinase family cause pseudohypoaldosteronism type II (PHA II), also referred to as Gordon syndrome. The clinical feature of PHA II includes hypertension, hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis. To further elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying PHA II will provide a novel insight into the pathogenesis of essential hypertension.
Dr. Cai has weekly renal clinic at the Emory Clinic and Atlanta VAMC. His clinical expertise includes genetic kidney diseases, secondary hypertension and general clinical nephrology. Dr. Cai has also attended on renal consultation services at Emory University Hospital and Atlanta VAMC. He provides clinical services to various patients with acute or acute on chronic kidney diseases as well as delivers cares to patients of acute kidney injuries with various renal replacement therapies including hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT).
Dr. Cai has been actively involved in teaching clinical nephrology for renal fellows and renal pathophysiology for medical students.
Dr. Cai is currently serving as an editorial board member for American Journal of Physiology Renal. He is also a member of numerous national medical societies such as American Society of Nephrology, American Heart Association, National Kidney Foundation, and American Physiological Society.
Academic Appointment
- Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
- Associate Professor, Medicine/Renal Division, Emory University School of Medicine
- Associate professor, Physiology, Emory University School of Medicine
Education
Degrees
- MS from Shanghai Medical University
- MD from Wenzhou Medical College
Research
Publications
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A gain-of-function mutation in ATP6V0A4 drives primary distal renal tubular alkalosis with enhanced V-ATPase activity.
J Clin Invest
04/29/2025 Authors: Peng S-Q; Wu Q-Q; Wang W-Y; Zhang Y-L; Zhou R-N; Liao J; Wei J-X; Yang Y; Shi W; Yang J-L -
Activation of BK channels prevents diabetes-induced osteopenia by regulating mitochondrial Ca2+ and SLC25A5/ANT2-PINK1-PRKN-mediated mitophagy.
Autophagy Volume: 20 Page(s): 2388 - 2404
11/01/2024 Authors: Jiang L; He H; Tang Y; Li J; Reilly S; Xin H; Li Z; Cai H; Zhang X -
The impact of senescence on muscle wasting in chronic kidney disease.
J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle Volume: 14 Page(s): 126 - 141
02/01/2023 Authors: Huang Y; Wang B; Hassounah F; Price SR; Klein J; Mohamed TMA; Wang Y; Park J; Cai H; Zhang X -
Atrial Natriuretic Peptide and the Epithelial Sodium Channel Contribute to Spinal Cord Injury-Induced Polyuria in Mice.
J Neurotrauma Volume: 39 Page(s): 724 - 734
05/01/2022 Authors: Sun X-S; Wang X-L; Bai M; Song C; Eaton DC; Yue Q; Martin KK; Cai H; Garraway S; Wang L-H -
A novel role of BK potassium channel activity in preventing the development of kidney fibrosis.
Kidney Int Volume: 101 Page(s): 945 - 962
05/01/2022 Authors: Wang Y; Wang M; Ning F; Ren D; Tao J; Xie W; Eaton DC; Jiang G; Farris AB; Xin H -
Activating BK channels ameliorates vascular smooth muscle calcification through Akt signaling.
Acta Pharmacol Sin Volume: 43 Page(s): 624 - 633
03/01/2022 Authors: Ning F-L; Tao J; Li D-D; Tian L-L; Wang M-L; Reilly S; Liu C; Cai H; Xin H; Zhang X-M -
Editorial: Molecular Mechanism and Therapeutic Approach to Renal Interstitial Fibrosis.
Front Med (Lausanne) Volume: 9 Page(s): 879927
01/01/2022 Authors: Li M-T; Tang X-H; Cai H; Zhang A-H; Guo Z-Y -
Calcineurin A- suppression drives nuclear factor-B-mediated NADPH oxidase-2 upregulation.
Am J Physiol Renal Physiol Volume: 320 Page(s): F789 - F798
05/01/2021 Authors: Cheriyan AM; Ume AC; Francis CE; King KN; Linck VA; Bai Y; Cai H; Hoover RS; Ma HP; Gooch JL -
Downregulation of let-7 by Electrical Acupuncture Increases Protein Synthesis in Mice.
Front Physiol Volume: 12 Page(s): 697139
01/01/2021 Authors: Huang Y; Yu M; Kuma A; Klein JD; Wang Y; Hassounah F; Cai H; Wang XH -
The influx/efflux mechanisms of d-peptide ligand of nAChRs across the blood-brain barrier and its therapeutic value in treating glioma.
J Control Release Volume: 327 Page(s): 384 - 396
11/10/2020 Authors: Han B; Xie W; Zhang Y; Zhou S; Yang J; Wang R; Sun Y; Wang X; Xu J; Chen D