Current Trainees

Photo	Name	Project	Mentor	Email
	Jesse, Jordan	My project uses the model organism C. elegans to study EXC-4/CLIC's role in tubulogenesis, the process by which biological tubes are formed. Tubulogenesis is crucial during organ development and the vascular system, particularly in blood vessel formation and function. C. elegans shares significant genetic orthology with humans, thus my project aims to connect conserved regulators of both C. elegans tubulogenesis and vertebrate angiogenesis. Prior work has identified CLIC1, CLIC4, and EXC-4 as required for GPCR-Gα-Rho/Rac signaling important for endothelial morphogenetic processes and ExCa tubulogenesis. We are investigating the C-terminal domain features that confer specificity to CLIC/EXC-4's distinct, non-overlapping roles both in C. elegans and primary endothelial cell systems. Delineation of these CLIC-mediated signaling mechanisms is necessary to fully harness therapeutic targeting of endothelial GPCR-regulated downstream effectors.	Dan Shaye, PhD	jjesse2@uic.edu
	Kang, Christie	Vascularization of the eye is a highly regulated process, with the cornea remaining avascular and the retina developing and maintaining a highly structured vascular network. Disruption of these processes are involved in pathologies such as corneal neovascularization and retinopathy of prematurity, which both involve upregulation of inflammatory cytokines. Previous work in the lab has demonstrated the importance of Notch4 signaling in endothelial inflammation and pathological neovascularization. The goal of my project is to determine the unique role of endothelial Notch4 signaling that is distinct from Notch1 signaling in both corneal neovascularization and hypoxia-driven retinopathies.	Jan Kitajewski, PhD	ckang30@uic.edu
	Zemanski, Kait	Regenerative tissue engineering has long been encumbered by the metabolic needs of clinically relevant sized tissues. Strategies to overcome these needs include lowering cell density, increasing oxygen production, constructing perfusion networks and prevascularizing tissue. Biomaterials involved in the first three strategies have been shown to interfere with essential cell interactions that provide mechanisms for healing, host tissue integration, and overall construct integrity. My research focuses on engineering a prevascularized bone tissue construct. This project has the promising potential to provide a platform for prevascularized tissue engineering.	Eben Alsberg, PhD	kzman3@uic.edu
	Rusu, Luiza	My research is related to Vascular Signaling and Therapeutics. My main research focus is on better understanding critical EC signaling mechanisms that promote microvascular thrombosis which can be targeted therapeutically to treat coagulopathy associated with diseases such as T2DM. I look to conduct advanced training in this area using models in which attenuation of vWF secretion can be used to prevent microvascular thrombosis and its detrimental consequences such as peripheral vascular occlusion, pulmonary embolism, and acute kidney injury in the db/db mouse model of T2DM. We will use our cell permeable 6-15 amino acid peptides based on the N-terminus of G12 that bind to αSNAP (SNAP-Binding Domain, Myr-SBD which prevent thrombin-induced vWF secretion in established in vitro and in vivo assays. These studies will assess 2 chemical families based on the library scaffolds identified by high throughput screening, as well as small molecules modified in collaboration with medicinal chemists at UICentre. Following the characterization of their direct binding capabilities by SPR, Alpha-LISA, and thermal shift assays, we will determine which molecules selectively prevent Gα12 binding to α-SNAP and inhibit vWF secretion and thrombosis in cultured human endothelial cells, in the isolated mouse lung, and in the db/db mouse model of T2DM.	Richard Minshall, PhD	lsergh2@uic.edu
	Leschinsky, Nicholas	VEGFR2 is an essential endothelial receptor involved in the induction of angiogenic responses. Deregulation of this receptor results in many diseases and its total knockout is embryonic lethal. The current model indicates that upon VEGFR2 activation a single endothelial cell outcompetes the others to form a tip cell which begins to extend towards the gradient of VEGF. Additional tip cell formation is stopped through lateral inhibition of surrounding cells, which subsequently develop into stalk cells that form the initial structure of the new vessel. This tip cell selection is the first essential step in angiogenesis, but how a particular cell is selected to become a tip cell remains unknown. To address this question, a tool exhibiting tight spatiotemporal regulation of VEGFR2 is required. However, current tools used in the study of VEGFR2 function do not provide sufficient spatiotemporal control of its signaling. Thus, we have developed an optogenetically controlled VEGFR2 which provides spatiotemporal control over its activation. This was accomplished through the insertion of a light-regulatable (LightR) clamp created from two photosensitive VVD proteins connected by a linker. In the dark, the VVD monomers remain far apart and upon illumination with blue light they homodimerize which brings the ends of the clamp together. The LightR clamp was inserted into the catalytic domain of VEGFR2 at a specific allosteric site. In the dark, catalytic activity is disrupted due to distortion imparted by the clamp. Upon illumination with blue light the structure is reestablished, restoring catalytic activity. This approach enables control over VEGFR2 signaling in living cells. Light-induced stimulation of LightR-VEGFR2 leads to trans-phosphorylation of the receptor which is a hallmark of VEGFR2 activation and essential to its further activity. Furthermore, LightR-VEGFR2 induces downstream signaling through canonical VEGFR2 pathways. The kinetics of this signaling mimic those seen in the wild-type enzyme and can be further modulated by mutations within the LightR domain. Activation of LightR-VEGFR2 in endothelial cells stimulates their invasion into three-dimensional collagen matrix, closely mimicking physiologically relevant angiogenic sprouting mediated by wild type VEGFR2. These data indicate that LightR-VEGFR2 can be used as a direct analogue to VEGFR2 to probe the molecular events that occur when endothelial cells are defined as tip cells. These findings will help to further our understanding of the early stages of angiogenesis.	Andrei Karginov, PhD	nlesch3@uic.edu
	Nadeem, Taliha	Pathological neovascularization is a critical step in the progression of ocular pathologies such as retinopathy of prematurity and diabetic retinopathy. Neovascular retinopathies are driven by increased levels of inflammatory cytokines. We have previously demonstrated that Notch1 and Notch4 signaling regulate the production of CC-chemokines in cultured human umbilical vascular endothelial cells. This suggests that blocking Notch1 and Notch4 signaling may reduce endothelial inflammation and subsequently limit pathological neovascularization. My goal is to characterize Notch1 and Notch4 function in retinopathy of prematurity/oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) models using genetically modified mice to understand the contributions of endothelial Notch signaling to the progression of ocular pathologies. Through this work, I hope to also provide insight into endothelial-Notch signaling induced microglial chemoattraction and how it may affect neovascularization.	Jan Kitajewski, PhD	znadee2@uic.edu

Previous Trainees

Photo	Name	Project	Mentor	Email
	Aponte Confresi, Luis	Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive memory loss and cognition. The process of adult hippocampal neurogenesis is integral for the process of memory formation in the hippocampus and has been shown to be impaired in patients with AD. Our research focuses on elucidating the role of PICALM, one of the top three risk factor genes for the development of late onset Alzheimer's Disease (LOAD), in regulating the process of adult hippocampal neurogenesis in LOAD. In order to study this, we will use vascular permeability assays alongside magnetic resonance imaging, and cranial window imaging in AD animal models to better understand how PICALM affects adult hippocampal neurogenesis. This project will help elucidate novel information of how PICALM regulates development of LOAD.	Orly Lazarov, PhD	lapont5@uic.edu
	McCann, Maximilian A, PhD	The integrity of the endothelial barrier in the retina is critical, as disruption of this barrier leads to vessel leakage, macular swelling, and visual impairments in patients with diabetic retinopathy. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key inducer of endothelial barrier permeability and is chronically elevated in many patients with diabetes. It acts in two phases. In the initial phase, VEGF induces signaling events that physically open the barrier, allowing vessel leakage. The second phase is less defined and brings about a prolonged effect that has a slower onset, which suggests transcriptional changes are at play. Neutralization of VEGF with anti-VEGF therapies has proven to be a vital treatment that lowers VEGF levels, and leads to reclosure of breached endothelial barriers, resolves macular edema, and restores vision. However, not all patients benefit from anti-VEGF, and even those who initially respond well can become unresponsive. Therefore, alternative therapies to anti-VEGF are needed. My research focuses on laying the groundwork for these therapies by developing a better understanding of the processes that govern pathological vessel opening and reclosure.	Jan Kitajewski, PhD	mccann7@uic.edu
	Axen, Cassondra	Women usually live longer than men and this longevity in women is likely due to the ability of women to conceive child. Pregnancy is not merely a childbearing experience, as it promotes a wonderful physiological alteration in the pregnant mother. In this regard, during pregnancy the fetal cells (FCs) have been shown to migrate from developing fetus, into the maternal circulation, and these FCs are known to remain for decades in maternal circulation. However, the exact role of these FCs are not completely understood. Therefore, my research project will be to characterize the phenotype of these FCs at the cellular and molecular level using lineage tracing genetic technology in the mice. Thereafter, I will address the ability of these FCs to repair tissue damage and restore organ function in the aftermath of experimental tissue injury such as ARDS, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).	Kishore Wary, PhD and Richard Minshall, PhD	caxen2@uic.edu
	Butler, Mitchel "Mitch"	Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a debilitating injury most commonly caused by ruptured cerebral aneurysm; the disease leads to significant functional neurologic disabilities, including epilepsy. Prior preclinical and clinical studies have revealed associations between SAH-induced vascular damage and altered inflammatory as well as electrical signaling mechanisms in the brain. Our lab combines the endovascular perforation rat model of SAH with long-term video-EEG monitoring together with downstream measurements of vascular changes and neuroinflammation, specifically increases in microglia. In parallel, we leverage longitudinal clinical, EEG, and computed tomography (CT) brain imaging data to investigate how SAH injury impacts electrical activity and epileptic outcomes in the human. In this combined preclinical and clinical project, I am developing imaging-based methods to (1) quantify changes in the extent and location of bleeding in the brain and (2) relate them to metrics of electrical and neuroinflammatory activity.	Jeffrey Loeb, MD, PhD and Jan Kitajewski, PhD	mbutle28@uic.edu
	Ewenighi-Amankwah, Chinwe, PhD	Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer characterized by lack of expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression. TNBC is known for its aggressiveness, organ metastases, and poor prognosis than other types of breast cancer. TNBCs are more common among African-ancestry populations. TNBC accounts for 39% of breast cancers in African American women under the age of 50, but only 16% in Caucasian women of the same age group. Because TNBC lacks receptors for estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 overexpression, there are no targeted therapies, and affected patients rely only on chemotherapy. Notch4 from a family of the Notch signaling pathway plays crucial roles in cellular developmental pathways, including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Of all four Notch receptors, Notch4 is more attractive in TNBC. A positive correlation exists between TNBCs and high expression of Notch4. There is a need for targeted therapy for TNBC, and notch4 seems promising. My study investigates the role of Notch4 in tumor endothelium, growth, vascularization, metastasis, and therapeutic targeting.	Jan Kitajewski, PhD and Kishore Wary, PhD	chinwe2@uic.edu
	Gordon, Ben	Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) makes up to 20% of breast cancer diagnoses, with a 5-year survival as low as 11% for late stage metastatic disease. Unfortunately, while surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy are effective treatment option for early stage disease, there are very few therapeutic options for advanced metastatic TNBC spread. Importantly, TNBC is unresponsive to hormonal and targeted therapies of other types of breast cancer. In the complex metastatic cascade, Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) cross the endothelial barrier twice: first to enter systemic circulation (intravasation) and then to exit circulation (extravasation). My proposal aims to study Jag1-mediated Notch signaling as a potential target to limit TNBC metastatic spread by focusing on tumor-endothelial interactions during tumor cell extravasation from circulation into secondary organs. Our previous work targeting Jag1- mediated Notch signaling with Notch1 decoys attenuated TNBC endothelial binding and transendothelial migration (TEM). We therefore hypothesize that Jag1 is a novel mediator of TNBC extravasation. Theoretically, Jag1 could activate endothelial or tumor Notch, as the receptor is expressed on both cell types. To address both of these possibilities, I have generated CRISPR/Cas9 treated TNBC clonal cell lines targeting Jag1. To address intrinsic tumor Notch signaling, I will engineer TNBC cell lines with a dominant-negative inhibitor of intrinsic Notch signaling. Using these tools, extravasation will be modelled in vitro, in a cutting-edge microfluidics system that recapitulates the capillary microenvironment, and in vivo via intravenous injection of TNBC cells followed by tracking of lung capillary extravasation. The goal of my research proposal is to interrogate a Notch-based mechanism of TNBC extravasation during metastasis.	Jan Kitajewski, PhD and Jalees Rehman, PhD	bgordo6@uic.edu
	Aguilar, Victor	Atherosclerotic plaque growth is subject to factors beyond an individual’s diet. Growth is subject to factors such as blood flow hemodynamics, inflammation signals, and cell-cell interactions. My objective is to understand how these factors affect vascularization. Prior research has shown that vascular growth is enhanced by the presence of oxidized lipids, a phenomenon that was shown to be dependent on lipid uptake protein CD36. I am interested in utilizing CD36 expression to analyze changes in angiogenic gene expression and cell signaling in endothelium exposed to pro-atherogenic conditions in vitro. This work will incorporate in vivo work on transgenic endothelial-specific CD36-null mice to assess impact on long-term progression of induced atherosclerosis.	Irena Levitan, Ph.D. and Richard Minshall, Ph.D.	vaguil8@uic.edu
	Phillips, Evan, PhD	The objective of my project is to define and analyze cardiac lymphatic networks and the process of endogenous and growth factor-stimulated lymphangiogenesis in the context of cardiac hypertrophy. I am investigating the potential for cardiac lymphatic vessel generation, remodeling of the cardiac microenvironment, and immune cell trafficking via cardiac lymphatics. This project therefore requires an in situ morphological and molecular analysis method such as 3D multiplex microscopy. I will adapt tissue clearing appropriate for high-resolution 3D localization of multiple vascular, stromal, and inflammatory markers in cardiac tissue. This whole tissue imaging approach will help us understand the relevance of cardiac lymphatics in a new disease context and whether stimulated lymphangiogenesis hold therapeutic promise here.	Steve Seung-Young Lee, PhD and Jan Kitajewski, PhD	phillipe@uic.edu
	Tevino, Troy	Healthy blood-brain barrier endothelial cells restrict entry of pathogenic T cells into the brain. In neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier damage permits migration of T cells into the brain via Caveolin-1 endothelial vesicles. However, the molecular signals targeting T cells to caveolar vesicles remain unclear. In this work, I will test the hypothesis that T cell CXCR3 inside out integrin signaling directs and enforces phospho-Caveolin-1 dependent migration across blood-brain barrier endothelial cells. My goal is to address this mechanism to restrict entry of neurodegenerative T cells and promote delivery of neuroprotective T cell subsets.	Dan Shaye, PhD and Sarah Lutz, PhD	ttrevi2@uic.edu
	Sargis, Timothy	When activated by its ligand Dll4, Notch1 signaling acts as a negative regulator of angiogenic sprout initiation. Conversely, the Notch ligand Jagged1 has been discovered to be pro-angiogenic. Endothelial-specific Jagged1 loss leads to reduced angiogenesis during retinal development, wound healing, and tumor angiogenesis. How Jagged1 mediates its pro-angiogenic function is currently not well understood. Several models for Jagged1 function have been proposed: Jagged1 may be a competitor of Dll4, or a unique Notch signal activator. We hypothesize that Jagged1 interacts with another Notch protein, Notch4, to promote angiogenesis and that this signaling is distinct from the role of Dll4/Notch1 signaling. This project aims to describe a new signaling pair (Jagged1-Notch4) and to develop new approaches to promote wound healing through regulation of Jagged1 or Notch4 activities.	Jan Kitajewski, Ph.D. and Luisa DiPietro, DDS, Ph.D.	tsargi2@uic.edu

The VBST-TP is funded by training grant (T32 HL144459) from the National, Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).