Primary Research:

The main focus of our lab is to investigate cellular signaling in endothelial cells that triggers vascular injury and those that repair the damage to reinstate tissue functions. We seek to understand how stressors (such as ligands for G-protein coupled receptors or toll-like receptors) on endothelial cells alter calcium signaling and endothelial transcriptome under physiological settings versus pathological settings. We employ RNA-Seq transcriptomes, next-generation scRNA-seq and DNA sequencings, proteomics, cellular imaging and biochemical, immunological approaches and transgene/gene knock-out disease models to determine critical nodes in endothelial cells that can potentially be therapeutically targeted for restoring vascular homeostasis.

Laboratory web site URL:

https://mcph.uic.edu/mehta-2/

Collaborative Relationships:

1. Jae-Won Shin, PhD
Professor of Pharmacology & Bioengineering, UIC
2. James Lee, PhD
Professor of Biomedical Engineering, UIC

Recent Presentations:

1. Akhter MZ, BR VA, Joshi JC, Mehta D. DNA methylation by DNMT3a drives endothelial inflammation and death during acute lung injury. Physiology. 2024 May 21;39(S1):2392.
2. Datta S, Akhter MZ, Balaji Ragunathrao VA, Banerjee S, Mehta D. Remodeled Extracellular Matrix Guides Endothelial Cell Phenotype and Transcriptome to Fibrotic Niche. Physiology. 2024 May 21;39(S1):988.
3. Banerjee S, Akhter MZ, Joshi J, Mehta D. PGE2-PKA Control of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Dictates Macrophages Proliferation and Efferocytic Function During Lung Injury. Physiology. 2024 May 21;39(S1):2190.
4. Joshi B, Joshi JC, Balaji Raghunath Rao VA, Banerjee S, Yadavalli T, Shukla D, Mehta D. Ca2+-dependent contractile signaling induced by dsDNA-cGAS ligation mediates type 1 interferon generation and vascular injury. Physiology. 2024 May 21;39(S1):2497.
5. Vellingiri V, BR VA, Joshi JC, Akhter MZ, Anwar M, Banerjee S, Pinho S, Tsukasaki Y, Mehta D. Programming of neutrophil transcriptome by endothelial ERG maintains anti-inflammatory vascular niche in the lungs. Physiology. 2024 May 21;39(S1):2236.

Laboratory Motto:

The motto of our lab stands for its core values and guiding principles, which drive team-work in pursuit of innovation and scientific discovery. It exhibits an allegiance to advancing knowledge, fostering collaboration, training young investigators, and striving for excellence in scientific research, altogether aiming to make a positive impact on society.