UIC Department of Pharmacology: Faculty Research

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Primary Faculty

Masuko Ushio-Fukai, PhD
Associate Professor of Pharmacology Center for Lung and Vascular Biology
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) function as signaling molecules to mediate various biological responses, including cell migration, growth and gene expression. Our laboratory was the first to demonstrate that NADPH oxidase, one of the major sources of ROS in vasculature, is essential for angiogenesis, a process of new blood vessel formation from the preexisting vessels, in cultured endothelial cells as well as in the mouse hind-limb ischemia model. The underlying molecular mechanisms, however, are not fully understood. We are currently investigating 1) how NAD(P)H oxidase is activated and how ROS are involved in signaling by VEGF and other angiogenesis growth factors, leading to angiogenesis in cultured endothelial cells and 2) how ROS, derived from inflammatory cells, T cells, newly-formed endothelial cells, and endothelial progenitor cells, contribute to neovascularization after tissue ischemia in vivo. In our research we use mouse knockout models for in vivo and in vitro studies, live cell imaging, cell fractionation, analysis of protein-protein interactions, and molecular and cell biological analyses. By exploring the role of NAD(P)H oxidase in angiogenesis we hope to develop new therapeutic strategies to treat angiogenesis-dependent cardiovascular diseases, such as ischemic heart and limb disease as well as cancer.
4097 CoMRB 909 S. Wolcott Ave. (312) 996-7665 mfukai@uic.edu Lab home page Publications