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Our research is focused on understanding how cholesterol changes immune cell function in the artery wall to contribute to chronic disease, such as atherosclerosis. We are particularly interested in how immune cell function is changed in patients with diabetes, as type 1 and type 2 diabetes sufferers are four times more likely to die of a heart attack than the general population.

There are two main aspects to our research. One is studying how the cholesterol content of immune cells, such as T cells and monocytes, changes the phenotype and function of these cells to modulate atherosclerosis development. Two proteins that we are particularly interested in are the ATP-binding cassette transporters ABCG1 and ABCA7. ABCG1 and ABCA7 are involved in the removal of excess cholesterol and phospholipid from cells; thus, they regulate the lipid content of cells. Using mice with targeted alterations of ABCG1 and ABCA7, we can study how T cell and monocyte function is disturbed by cholesterol and how this impacts disease. The second aspect of our research is to study the function of the NR4A family of nuclear receptors in atherosclerosis and other inflammatory diseases. We have recently discovered that one family member, NR4A1, is critically important for the development of a subset of monocytes in the bone marrow. We are exploring how NR4A1 regulates monocyte development, and how this nuclear receptor functions to regulate inflammation.

News & Events

• 6/10/2010 - United Press International
  Protein found key to insulin secretion
  Article link | .pdf

• 6/08/2010 - Medical News Today
  Team Discovers Important New Player in Diabetes Onset
  Article link | .pdf

• 6/07/2010 - Science Daily
  Important New Player in Diabetes Onset Discovered
  Article link | .pdf

• 6/07/2010 - RedOrbit.com
  La Jolla Institute Scientist Leads Team Which Discovers Important New Player in Diabetes Onset
  Article link | .pdf

• 6/07/2010 - News Release & Media Coverage
  La Jolla Institute Scientist Leads Team Which Discovers Important New Player in Diabetes Onset
  News Release link