Leo E Otterbein, PhD
Staff PHD
Acute Care Surgery
Contact Information
| Office: | CL-603 |
| Phone: | 617-735-2851 |
| Fax: | 617-735-2844 |
| Email: | lotterbe@bidmc.harvard.edu |
| Address: | 330 Brookline Ave; CL-603
Boston, MA 02215 |
Advanced Degree And Training
| Year | Institution | Area or Rank |
| 2000 | Johns Hopkins University | Physiology |
| 2000 | Yale University | Research Associate |
| 2001 | University of Pittsburgh Sch of Med | Assistant Professor |
Research Lab Team Members
| Vilmosne Csizmadia MSc |
Major Research Theme
|
My research focuses around the oxidative stress response. My interest is in studying the effects of carbon monoxide and its ability to provide a cytoprotective response both in vitro and in vivo. Carbon monoxide at low concentrations has been shown by my myself and others to exert potent anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects. In models of endotoxic shock, acute hepatitis, organ transplantation, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and arteriosclerosis among others, CO has been shown to reestablish homeostasis and provide potent protection. My research also examines the role of the inducible enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an enzyme present in all cells that produces CO endogenously. HO-1 has been characterized as a protective gene in that if induced prior to an insult exerts potent protective effects. We hypothesized that CO, one of three products of heme catalysis by HO-1, was a potential mechanism. My current area of focus include investigations examining the mechanism by which CO functions to exert such potent anti-inflammatory effects. To date, there are a number of gene targets including the nitric oxide synthases, mitochondrial oxidases as well as signaling molecules that are being explored including the MAP kinases, PPARg, and HIF1-a. We have shown that CO differentially regulates these gene products depending on the model, the cell type and organ system involved. Increasing our understanding of how CO functions to exert its effects will lead potentially to a novel therapeutic modality and translate into a treatment for a variety of disorders including vascular injury ischemia/reperfusion injury and organ transplantation. |
Publications
External Recognition
| 2004-present - Member, NIH Study Section; Physician/Scientist KO8 Grants Review 2006 (summer) - visiting professor, Carderelli Hospital, Center for Biotechnology 2002-2004 Grant Reviewer, Vienna National Funding Agency 2003-2004 Member Mid-Atlantic Affiliate American Heart Association Grant Review Panel 2004 Member, NIH Special Emphasis RFA Review Panel for Progression of Cardiovascular Disease in Type I Diabetes 2004-2008 American Heart Association - Northeast Affiliate Grant Review Panel 2005 Member Scientific Advisory Board for iNO Therapeutics 2005-2009 Member New England Affiliate American Heart Association Grant Review Panel 2005-2009 Member NIH Study Section; Physican/Scientist KO8 Grants Review 1996 President’s Award for outstanding contribution to the company. Scios, Inc. 2000 Travel Award for best student abstract. American Thoracic Society 2003 Senior Vice Chancellor’s Research Seminar Award for extraordinary contribution to the Medical School. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Pittsburgh, PA |
Major Collaborative Activities
| MIT department of Chemical Engineering (Clark Colton) - effects of carbon monoxide on oxygen consumption Brigham and Womens Hospital (Mark Perrella) - joint interest in heme oxygenase (cardiopulmonary) Childrens Hospital (Stella Kourembanas) - joint interest in heme oxygenase (cardiopulmonary) BIDMC - (Frank Selke) - effects of CO in vascular biology |
Investigator's Lab Web Site
| Research Lab URL | Otterbein Research Lab |
| Harvard Catalyst Site: | Otterbein Harvard Catalyst Web Site |
