Research Investigator :: Dr. Raymond C. Harris
Raymond C. Harris, M.D.
Ann and Roscoe Robinson Professor of Medicine
Chief, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension
Research Specialty: Diabetic Nephropathy
Publications: Please Click HERE ยป
Research Description:
Raymond C. Harris is the Ann and Roscoe Robinson Professor of Medicine and Chief in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension. His laboratory uses murine models of type I and type II diabetes to understand pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and develop potential therapeutic interventions. The general focus of the Harris laboratory involves studies of regulation of renal epithelial cell growth and function during normal physiologic responses and after acute or chronic injury. Three specific areas of investigation are currently in progress. The first area of interest in the laboratory is regulation of renal epithelial cell function by eicosanoids. We are continuing intensive investigation of the regulation and physiologic and pathophysiologic roles of cyclooxygenase-2 and its metabolites in the kidney. We are also investigating signaling pathways in renal epithelial cells of P450-derived arachidonate metabolites, epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). We have also recently identified a novel monoglyceride derivative of the EETs, which signals through an identified family of membrane receptors and elicits biological responses, and our studies involve investigation of expression, regulation and physiologic responses of these compounds. The second area of investigation examines mechanisms of repair in response to acute renal epithelial injury. We are concentrating upon the role of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) in the kidney. These studies involve both in vitro examination of the role of HB-EGF in development of epithelial polarity and in vivo studies with transgenic mice examining the effect of either overexpression or genetic deletion of HB-EGF in specific nephron segments The third area of investigation is the regulation of angiotensin II receptor expression and function in the proximal tubule and investigation of proximal tubule cellular responses to angiotensin. These studies involve investigation of mechanisms and physiologic roles of trafficking of receptors and mechanisms of regulation of receptor gene regulation under pathophysiologic conditions.
