Current Projects

• Depletion of macrophages blocks remyelination induced by medications 
  Submitted by V. Wee Yong  (University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada) 4/8/2010
  We have uncovered medications that promote remyelination following lysolecithin-induced demyelination in mice. Our data indicates that the mechanisms of the remyelinating effect is through the stimulation of microglia/macrophage activity. We will test this by addressing whether these remyelinating medications will still work when macrophages are depleted.
  More: http://www.ucalgary.ca/~vyong/



• The Role of Macrophages in Hepatocellular Regeneration 
  Submitted by Luke Boulter  (Centre for Inflammation Research, Edinburgh, United Kingdom) 4/8/2010
  The liver is able to regenerate from hepatocytes, and this often occurs in the context of inflammation. We seek to understand the role macrophages play in this process.



• Ischemia Reperfusion Injury of Steatotic Livers 
  Submitted by Alton Sutter  (MUSC, Charleston, SC, United States) 2/8/2010
  Determine Kupffer cell (KC) IL-10 production in mice with lean and steatotic livers in the presence and absence of a LPS challenge and total hepatic I/R injury. Study differential inflammatory milieu, specifically IL10 production by Kupffer cells, in lean and steatotic mice during LPS challenge and total hepatic I/R injury. Elucidate the role of the TLR4 receptor in KC IL-10 production in lean and steatotic mice in the presence and absence of a LPS challenge and I/R injury. Delineate the molecular mechanisms cellular origins of inflammatory mediators during I/R and LPS stimulation using in vitro models.



• Reduction in alveolar macrophages mitigates organ injury and systemic inflammation in ventilator-induced lung injury rats 
  Submitted by tutu hoo  (Department of Anesthesiology in Guangzhou First Municipal People`s Hospital, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, 510180, China., China) 7/31/2010
  The aim of the project is to study the role of macrophages in nonpulmonary organ dysfunction, which is induced by high tidal volume mechanical ventilation. High tidal volume ventilation induces cardiovascular, pulmonary, and liver injury as well as a systemic proinflammatory response. Alveolar macrophages have been known to play a vital role in local and systemic inflammatory cascade activation when the lung is exposed to noxious stimuli.
  More: http://space.feixin.10086.cn/12713072/blog



• The role of Kupfer cells in obesity 
  Submitted by Beata Mierzejewska  (University of Toledo, Toledo Ohio , United States) 7/30/2010
  The project is designed to test hypothesis that Kupfer cells are important in high fat diet induced obesity



• The role of Kupfer cells in obesity 
  Submitted by Beata Mierzejewska  (University of Toledo, Toledo Ohio , United States) 7/30/2010
  This project will examine whether long term blockade of Kupfer cells may accelerate the process of high fat diet induced obesity.



• Macrophage mobilization after myocardial infarction 
  Submitted by Victor Dayan  (Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada) 7/28/2010
  Study cardiac function after MI with and without macrophage depletion.



• Relationship between adipose tissue depot dependent macrophage infiltration and insulin resistance 
  Submitted by Injae Hwang  (Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, South) 7/27/2010
  Fat tissue inflammation is associated with immune cell infiltration such as macrophage and T-cell which is originated by obesity and metabolic syndrome which is deeply correlated with insulin resistance. But fat-depot specific characterization of inflammation has not been fully elucidated.
  More: http://plaza.snu.ac.kr/jbkim



• Role of Lung Macrophage in chronic asthma remodeling 
  Submitted by Alex Pham  (UCSD, La Jolla, CA, United States) 7/26/2010
  We are interested in studying the role of lung macrophage in chronic asthma airway remodeling



• Peripheral Macrophage Depletion 
  Submitted by Markus Sigrist  (University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland) 7/26/2010
  Deplete macrophages in periphery by injection of liposomes