Education:
Undergraduate Degree: BS
Undergraduate Degree Year: 2004
Undergraduate Institution: Northeastern University
Undergraduate Major: Biology

Academic Status: 3nd Year

Graduate Program: Cellular & Molecular Pathology

Thesis Advisor: Jom Piganelli, Ph.D.

Thesis Title/Research Topic: A novel role for type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) in type 2 diabetes.

Current Research Description: Type II diabetes (T2D) is characterized by insulin resistance, increased output of hepatic glucose, and impaired insulin secretion. Recent evidence indicates that many of the hallmark characteristics of active innate immunity and its ensuing acute-phase stress response, such as elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines, type I plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), and dyslipidemia are consistently present in individuals with T2D. Since PAI-1 is able to prevent fibrinolysis by inhibiting the production of plasmin it has been implicated as causative for vascular disease in diabetics although that has never been formally proven. In liver PAI-1 has an important alternative function in preventing the production of active hepatocyte growth factor (aHGF). Early hepatic regeneration is characterized by a rise in pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF- and IL-6) that subsides in concert with elevated aHGF, suggesting that aHGF might down-regulate these cytokines. As such, we hypothesized that in obese patients with T2D, elevated levels of PAI-1 could lead to a decrease in the generation of aHGF, causing unchecked "inflammation". Data to be presented herein will show that aHGF is able to alter production of IL-6 in stimulated macrophages by suppressing the NF B signaling pathway via modulation of GSK3b activity. Furthermore, the data will show that overproduction of aHGF in whole islet cultures can lead to suppressed secretion of cytokines. Hence, overproduction of PAI-1 in T2D may suppress formation of aHGF, leading to an unchecked inflammatory response by resident macrophages.

Honors:
Undergraduate Honors: Deans List, Faculty Undergraduate Research Institute Award

Publications: