Kaiser M. Bijli, Ph.D.

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Kaiser M. Bijli, Ph.D.: Dr. Bijli joined the University of Rochester faculty in 2007 after four years as a URMC Research Associate. He has focused his research on understanding how the pro-inflammatory mediators such as thrombin and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF?) mediate the activation of NF-?B, an essential regulator of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in endothelial cells. ICAM-1 is an inducible adhesive protein that serves as a counter-receptor for ?2-integrins (CD11/CD18) present on the surface of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Interaction of ICAM-1 with ?2-integrins ensures stable adhesion of PMN to the vascular endothelium and subsequently, its migration across the endothelial barrier. The trafficking of PMN by this mechanism in pulmonary tissue and air spaces contributes to the development of lung vascular injury and tissue edema associated with various disease states including Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Although the central role of NF-?B in ICAM-1 expression has been well appreciated, the precise signaling mechanisms controlling NF-?B activation and thereby ICAM-1 expression in endothelial cells remains largely unknown. The focus of Dr. Bijli's research is to address the mechanisms by which tyrosine kinases, particularly c-Src, Syk and Pyk2, regulate NF-?B activation and ICAM-1expression in endothelial cells and to determine the contribution of ICAM-1 in the mechanism of lung PMN sequestration and PMN-dependent lung vascular injury in mice. In-depth understanding of these events will allow identification of potential therapeutic targets for prevention of inflammation related to thrombin activation during acute lung injury.

Current Appointments

• Research Assistant Professor - Department of Pediatrics (SMD)

Recent Journal Articles
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