Minsoo Kim, Ph.D.

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Unlike cells within solid tissues, circulating leukocytes relocate during the course of immune reactions and dynamically adhere and de-adhere to cells of the vasculature and to other immune cells, as well as to components of the extracellular matrix. A subset of integrins (LFA-1, Mac-1, and VLA4) are expressed on leukocytes and play a major role in regulating leukocyte adhesion and recruitment to damaged or infected tissues during inflammatory responses. The activity of integrins to bind ligands is dynamically and tightly regulated through conformational changes from inactive form to the active one that binds ligands with high affinity. Under a wide range of pathologic conditions, these mechanisms of integrin activation are mis-regulated resulting in abnormal leukocyte trafficking, and direct damage to the vasculature and the underlying tissue making leukocyte integrins a promising therapeutic target for anti-inflammation therapy. Therefore, it would be critical to understand how integrins and their ligands bind to one another, the flow of conformational changes from one integrin domain to another, and the connections to other signaling molecules.

In order to visualize the conformational changes in integrin LFA-1 and its dynamic redistribution on the plasma membrane, we applied the quantitative imaging technique FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) to living cells. Our current research focuses on integrin-mediated leukocyte migration during inflammation. By employing advanced imaging techniques including FRET, live cell imaging, 3D confocal-image reconstruction, IRM (interference reflection microscopy), and TIRFM (total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy), we are trying to improve our understanding of the supramolecular/architectural properties of leukocyte integrins with particular emphasis on their relationship with leukocyte migration. In addition, we are interested in visualizing dynamic interactions of intracellular signaling molecules and identifying new molecules that regulate integrin activation during the leukocyte chemotaxis.

Current Appointments

• Assistant Professor - Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology (SMD)
• Assistant Professor - Department of Pharmacology and Physiology (SMD)

Lab Website

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/labs/Kim-Lab/