The laboratory focuses on the study of endothelial signaling pathways that regulate angiogenesis and vascular remodeling. Understanding these processes has implications for the treatment of a variety of diseases, including:

• Ischemic vascular diseases
• Atherosclerosis
• Vein graft disease
• Restenosis
• Cancer
• Diabetic retinopathy

Current studies are directed toward two primary targets: 

1. The endothelial receptor tyrosine kinases and their ligands, with particular emphasis on the Tie receptors (Tie1 and Tie2) and the Angiopoietins: These proteins are known to play critical roles in maintenance and remodeling of the adult vasculature. In vitro studies are directed toward understanding the mechanisms regulating Tie receptor internalization and degradation and how these processes affect vascular remodeling. Ongoing in vivo studies are investigating the roles of these proteins, along with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors, in the regulation of vascular growth and remodeling in models of hindlimb ischemia, exercise-induced angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, tumor angiogenesis, and diabetes. In vivo studies involve the use of transgenic and knockout mouse models and the use of adenoviral gene delivery. Additional studies are directed toward understanding the role of VEGF and the Angiopoietins in the mobilization of bone-marrow-derived circulating cells in these processes.
2. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase and the phosphoinositide phosphatases PTEN and SHIP: These proteins regulate the cellular levels of important phospholipid signaling molecules that are vital for nearly all cellular events. As a result, they are important targets for the investigation and treatment of cancer. However, less is known about their roles in the vasculature, which is the subject of investigation using transgenic and knockout mice or recombinant adenoviruses in models of angiogenesis, intimal hyperplasia, atherosclerosis, and exercise-induced angiogenesis as well as in cellular studies in vitro.