Vascular Biology Institute (VBI)

Research Interests

Faculty / Staff

Recent Publications

Funding Agencies

Contact Information

Research Interests:

Dr. Louis Ragolia, Ph.D.; Principal Investigator

Vascular Biology Institute research focuses on the pathogenic mechanisms responsible for the development of cardiovascular complications observed in diseases such as Diabetes, Hypertension, and Kidney Failure. Using a wide range of biochemical methodologies including molecular biology, array technology, tissue culture, histopathology, and transgenic animals, they are examining the regulation of signal transduction proteins in response to cell cytokines and studying their effects on vascular remodeling. In addition, they are identifying any defects in the diseased states, with the anticipation of finding potential target sites for drug development and gene therapy. The program is based on the integration of basic scientists with clinicians in the fields of endocrinology, gastroenterology, nephrology, pulmonary, and rheumatology.

Faculty / Staff:

Louis Ragolia, Ph.D., Director

Allison B. Reiss, M.D., Research Scientist

Jinhee Lee, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Thomas Palaia, M.S., Senior Research Technician

Christopher E. Hall, B.S., Research Technician II

Lisa Urgolites, M.S., Research Technician II

Hongwei Zhang, M.D., Research Technician II

Recent Publications:

Mouse Aorta cross-section

• Ragolia, L., Palaia T., Koutrouby, T.B., and Maesaka J.K. 2004. “Inhibition of Serum-induced Cell Cycle Progression and Migration of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells by Prostaglandin D2 Synthase: Resistance in the Diabetic Goto-Kakizaki Rat Model” Am. J. Physiol Cell Physiol. 287: C1273 – 1281.
• Ragolia, L., Palaia T., Paric E., and Maesaka J.K. 2003. "Prostaglandin D2 Synthase Inhibits the Exaggerated Growth Phenotype of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells" J. Biol. Chem., 278:(24), 22175-22181.
• Ragolia, L. Palaia, T., Paric, E., and Maesaka, J.K. 2003. "Elevated Prostaglandin D2 Synthase Activity Contributes to PMA-induced Apoptosis in LLC-PK1 Cells Concomitant with Down-regulation of PI3-K" Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol 284: c119-c126.
  
• Maesaka, J.K., Palaia, T., Fishbane S., and, Ragolia, L. 2002 "Contribution of Prostaglandin D2 Synthase to Progression of Renal Failure and Dialysis Dementia" Sem. Nephrol. 22(5):407-414.

  Electron Microscope (Thomas Palaia, M.S.)

• Maesaka, J., Palaia, T., Frese L., Fishbane, S. and Ragolia, L. 2001. "Prostaglandin D2 Synthase Induces Apoptosis in Pig Kidney LLC-PK1 Cells" Kidney Int'l. 60(5):1692-1698.
• Ragolia, L., Palaia, T., Frese L., Fishbane, S. and Maesaka, J.K. 2001. "Prostaglandin D2 Synthase Induces Apoptosis in PC12 Neuronal Cells" NeuroReport 12:1-6.
• Begum, N., Sandu, O., and Ragolia, L. 2000. "Diabetes is Accompanied by Impaired Insulin-Mediated Myosin-Bound Phosphatase Activation and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Relaxation due to Defective Rho Kinase and Nos Signaling" Diabetes 49(12):2178-2189.
  
• Begum, N., Duddy, N., Sandu, O., Rienzie, J. and Ragolia, L. 2000. "Regulation of Myosin-bound Protein Phosphatase by Insulin in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: Evaluation of the role of Rho Kinase and PI3-Kinase dependent signaling pathways" Mol. Endocrinol. 14: 1365-1376.

  Florescence Imaging

• Ragolia, L., Zuo, Q., and Begum, N. 2000. "Inhibition of Myogenesis by Depletion of the Glycogen-associated Regulatory Subunit of Protein Phosphatase-1 in Rat Skeletal Muscle Cells" J. Biol. Chem. 275:26102-26108.
• Begum, N. and Ragolia, L. 2000. "High Glucose and Insulin Inhibit Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell MKP-1 Expression by Blocking iNOS via p38 MAPK Activation" Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol. 278: C81- C91.

Funding Agencies:

American Diabetes Association

American Heart Association

Amgen Pharmaceuticals

National Institutes of Health

Winthrop-University Hospital Department of Medicine

Job Opportunities

Please visit the Employment section of winthrop.org for more information.

Contact Information:

Louis Ragolia, Ph.D.
Director, Vascular Biology Institute
Associate Professor, Stony Brook University
Winthrop-University Hospital
222 Station Plaza North, Suite 505-B
Mineola, NY 11501
Phone: (516) 663-2028
E-mail: LRagolia@winthrop.org