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Mark D. Okusa, M.D., FASN John C. Buchanan Distinguished Professor of Medicine Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology Division Chief
M.D.: Medical College of Virginia O 434-924-2187 | F 434-924-5848 | mdo7y@virginia.edu |
| My laboratory is interested in innate and adaptive immunity in acute and chronic kidney injury. Dendritic cells play an early role in activation of lymphocytes through antigen presentation of peptides to T cells or glycolipids to natural killer T cells. Through an understanding of the mechanisms that participate in the early activation and modulation of tissue injury we have developed pharmacological and cell based approaches to block these pathways. We use a variety of molecular, cell biological and immunological methods and in vivo models in our studies.
(1) Kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury: In vivo studies are aimed at determining the contribution of immune cells to ischemia-reperfusion injury and therapeutic strategies to reduce injury following acute kidney injury with the ultimate goal of bringing novel compounds to clinical trials. Current studies target adenosine 2A receptors and sphingosine 1 phosphate receptors as potential therapeutic approaches to block inflammation and tissue injury. These studies have led to a better understanding of the mechanisms of T cell activation by ischemia-reperfusion and tolerance induction by adenosine 2A compounds. (2) Diabetic nephropathy: Our approach is to understand the immune mechanisms of injury in diabetic nephropathy and use novel compounds to reduce functional and morphological consequences of diabetic nephropathy. Additional information may be found at Dr. Okusa's Lab site. PubMed Search for articles by faculty member » References Jo S-K, Bajwa A, Awad A, Lynch K, Okusa MD. Invited review. Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors: biology and therapeutic potential in kidney disease. Kidney Int. In press, 2008. Alaa S, Awad A, Rouse M, Liu L, Vergis AL, Rosin DL, Linden J, Sedor J, Okusa MD. Activation of podocyte adenosine 2A receptors prevents puromycin-induced nephrosis. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2008;19:59-68. Li L, Huang S, Sung, SJ, Gregg R, Engelhard V, Lobo PI, Okusa MD. NKT cell activation of PMN Interferon gamma production induces injury following ischemia-reperfusion. J Immunol. 2007;178:5899-5911. Sevigny C*, Li L*, Awad A, Huang L, McDuffie M, Linden J, Lobo PI, Okusa MD. Activation of adenosine 2A receptors attenuates allograft rejection and alloantigen recognition. J Immunol. 2007;178(7):4240-4249. *Equal contributors as first author. Awad AS, Huang L, Ye H, Duong ETA, Bolton WK, Linden J, Okusa MD. Adenosine A2A receptor activation attenuates inflammation and injury in diabetic nephropathy. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2006;290:F828-837. Awad A, Ye H, Huang L, Davis M, Lynch K, Okusa MD. Selective sphingosine 1 phosphate receptor activation reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2006;290(6):F1516-1524. Day Y-J, Huang L, Ye H, Li L, Linden J, Okusa MD. Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury and adenosine 2A receptor-mediated tissue protection: the role of CD4 T cells and interferon gamma. J Immunol. 2006;176:3108-3114. Li L, Okusa MD. Blocking the immune response in ischemic acute kidney injury: the tole of adenosine 2A agonists. Invited Review Nature Clin Pract Nephrol. 2006;2:432-444. Day Y-J, Huang L, McDuffie MJ, Rosin DL, Ye H, Schwarzschild MA, Linden SJ, Okusa MD. Renal protection from ischemia mediated by A2A adenosine receptors on bone marrow-derived cells. J Clin Invest. 2003;112(6):883-891. |