My laboratory is interested in the signal transduction pathways that control the innate immunity.  Specifically, we are studying the signaling pathways that regulate the production of inflammatory cytokines.  We have found that MAP kinase phosphatase (MKP)-1 plays a pivotal role in the restraint of the inflammatory responses in innate immune cells-by dephosphorylating p38 and JNK, MKP-1 deactivates the stress-activated MAP kinases and inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.  We hypothesize that defects in MKP-1 gene may sensitize host to inflammatory diseases.  Currently, animal models are developed to test this hypothesis using genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology techniques.  Another research project in the laboratory is to understand the anti-inflammatory mechanism of triptolide, a compound isolated from an anti-rheumatic herb used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine.  The long term goals of these research projects are to understand the regulation of inflammation and to develop novel treatments for inflammatory diseases.

Frazier WJ, Wang X, Wancket LM, Li XA, Meng X, Nelin LD, Cato AC, Liu Y.Increased inflammation, impaired bacterial clearance, and metabolic disruption after gram-negative sepsis in Mkp-1-deficient mice.J Immunol. 2009 Dec 1;183(11):7411-9. Epub 2009 Nov 4.