Rovin Lab

Brad Rovin, MD
Division of Nephrology
Department of Internal Medicine
The Ohio State University
335 Davis HLRI
473 West 12th Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43210-1252
Phone: (614) 688-3844
E-mail: rovin-1@medctr.osu.edu

Current Research

Polymorphisms in chemokine genes as determinants of the severity of inflammatory responses. We are looking at the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms that influence the expression or function of chemokines or their receptors, and the severity of renal inflammation in immune complex mediated human disease. The chemokines of particular interest are MCP-1, IL-8, and RANTES. The disease models we are examining include SLE and IgA nephritis. Regulation of chemokine gene expression-role of endogenous anti-inflammatory pathways. Using the human mesangial cell as a model renal parenchymal cell, we are looking at endogenous pathways that may serve to down regulate MCP-1 expression, and thereby lead to a resolution of an inflammatory lesion. In particular, we are interested in anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, and their effects on the NF-kappaB transcription machinary. Regulation of human mesangial cell death and survival. Proliferation of intrinsic renal cells accompanies most forms of immune glomerular injury. The regulation of mesangial cell proliferation and survival is being studied, with a particular focus on the interaction between cyclopentenone prostaglandins, intracellular kinases, and heat shock proteins.

Members of the Group

Brad Rovin, MD, Professor
Huijuan Song,
Xiaolan (Lily) Zhang, Post-Doctoral Fellow