Joel D. Schilling, MD, PhD
Associate Professor in Medicine and Immunology/Pathology, Cardiovascular Division
- Phone: 314-362-8732
- Email: schillij@nospam.wustl.edu
Research Interest
Complications
Category of Interest
Basic
Translational
Descriptor of Research
The research in my lab is focused on how obesity and diabetes impact macrophage function. It is well known that diabetics have an increased risk of adverse complications following tissue injury, such as MI or infection. However, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are not well understood. Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) is activated on macrophages in the setting of injury/infection and triggers critical inflammatory pathways involved in tissue repair and pathogen clearance. We are currently investigating how alterations in glucose and lipid metabolism impact TLR4-mediated macrophage responses. We are also applying these mechanistic findings to animal models of obesity and diabetes.