Blood vessels are lined with a layer of special cells called endothelial cells, which create a barrier between the blood and tissues. These endothelial cells (ECs)control blood flow and move oxygen and nutrients, but they also have different functions based on their location. In addition, they play important roles in many diseases and often directly contribute to pathogenesis. Despite this known contribution, in vivo studies addressing gene expression programs underlying different EC phenotypes have been relatively limited because ECs are highly heterogeneous and poorly accessible.

By using transgenic mouse models and innovative -omics technologies combined with functional in vivo and in vitro assays, my lab is focused on understanding how endothelial heterogeneity and vascular bed-specific changes in EC gene expression programs drive endothelial dysfunction leading to disease. We are particularly interested in the contribution of the endothelium in diseases where inflammation plays an important role. Examples of such disorders include the acute host response in infection leading to sepsis, as well as more chronic conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases and obesity. By uncovering mechanisms that lead to EC dysfunction, we seek to identify key regulators of EC function that can be used as targets for therapeutic interventions.