John C. Buchanan Distinguished Professor of Medicine Division Chief MD: Medical College of Virginia Residency: Medical College of Virginia Fellowship: Yale University Certification: Internal Medicine, Nephrology 434-924-2187 | Fax 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.

References
PubMed Search for articles by faculty member »

Li L, Huang L, Vergis AL, Ye H, Bajwa A, Narayan V, Strieter RM, Rosin DL, Okusa MD. IL-17 produced by neutrophils regulates interferon gamma-mediated neutrophil migration in mouse kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury. J Clin Invest. In press, 2010.

Bajwa A, Kinsey G, Okusa MD. Immune mechanisms and novel pharmacological therapies of acute kidney injury. Curr. Drug Targets. In press, 2010.

Kinsey GR, Sharma R, Huang L, Li L, Vergis AL, Ye H, Ju S-T, Okusa MD. Regulatory T cells suppress innate immunity in kidney ischemia- reperfusion injury. J Am Soc Nephrol. 20:1744-1753, 2009.

Li L, Huang LS, Sung SJ, Vergis AL, Rosin DL, Rose C, Lobo PI, Okusa MD. The chemokine receptors CCR2 and CX3CR1 mediate monocyte/macrophage trafficking in kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury. Kidney Int. 74:1526-1537, 2008. (Editorial Commentary: S.Swaminathan and M.D. Griffin. Kidney Int. 74:1509-1511, 2008.

Jo SK, Bajwa A, Awad AS, Lynch KR, Okusa MD. Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors: biology and therapeutic potential in kidney disease. Invited review. Kidney Int. 73:1220-1230, 2008.

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. 176:3108-3114, 2006.

Day Y-J, Huang L, McDuffie MJ, Rosin DL, Ye H, Schwarzschild MA, Linden SJ, Okusa MD. Renal protection from ischemia mediated by A_2A adenosine receptors on bone marrow-derived cells. J Clin Invest. 112:883-891, 2003.