Degen Lab

Degen Lab Research Interests

Co-Workers

Members of Jay Degen's Lab in the Division of Developmental Biology

J. Palumbo, MD, M. Flick, PhD, E. Mullins, MD, S. Thornton, PhD, K. Kombrinck, MS, K. Talmage, BS, C. La Jeunesse, BS, K. Barney, BS

Publications

View a list of recent publications from Jay Degen, PhD.

The long-term objectives of this research program are to understand the roles of circulating and cell-associated hemostatic factors in development, tissue remodeling, the inflammatory response and disease.

Since a rigorous understanding of these complex processes can only be achieved in an easily-manipulated in vivo experimental setting, a major emphasis has been placed on the generation and characterization of gene-targeted mouse lines with selected deficits in key hemostatic factors. Hemostatic system components that are presently being studied in transgenic mice include tissue factor (fIII), prothrombin (fII), fibrinogen, transglutaminase (fXIII), plasminogen, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), uPA receptor (uPAR), and platelet signaling molecules. A major driving force for these studies is the working hypothesis that hemostatic factors are deployed in the context of disease-associated tissue damage and ultimately influence the progression of a wide spectrum of diseases. We are currently exploring the molecular mechanisms that link hemostatic factors to bacterial virulence / host defense, inflammatory / autoimmune diseases and cancer biology.

Research

Embryonic
Development

Gene-targeting studies have revealed that multiple hemostatic factors are critical for embryonic development. Thrombin-mediated signaling events appear to support developmental success through a mechanism that is independent of clotting function.

Inflammatory
Joint Disease

Coagulation and fibrinolytic factors alter the progression of inflammatory joint disease in multiple experimental contexts, including autoimmune- and cytokine-driven arthritis. A detailed understanding of the benefits and liabilities of hemostatic factors in inflammatory diseases is a major research objective.

Tumor Cell
Metastasis

Tumor cell-associated and circulating hemostatic factors are major determinants of metastasis. The mechanisms whereby hemostatic factors control metastatic potential are under investigation.

Bacterial Infection /
Host Defense

The hypothesis that host leukocyte engagement of local fibrin matrices regulates antimicrobial processes required for efficient bacterial clearance is being explored through detailed studies of S. aureus and other pathogens.

 

Contact Us

The Degen laboratory is part of the Division of Developmental Biology at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation. The lab is located in Location R (Research Foundation Building), Rooms 2041 / 2042.

JL Degen, PhD
Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation
Developmental Biology - ML7007
CCRF Room 2042
3333 Burnet Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio  45229-3039
Phone 513-636-4679
Fax 513-636-4317
Email jay.degen@cchmc.org