Daniel I. Simon, MD

My laboratory is recognized for studies implicating a key role for inflammation in vascular injury and repair (NHLBI MERIT Award). Our studies have centered on the structure, function, and signaling of the integrin family of leukocyte adhesion molecules, establishing that Mac-1 is a molecular determinant of the biological response to vascular injury. Having identified a novel platelet counter-receptor, glycoprotein GP, for Mac-1, we have also focused on leukocyte-platelet interactions and the bidirectional linkage between inflammation and thrombosis. In a series of studies, we have provided evidence that inflammation is largely platelet-dependent in diverse disease models of vasculitis, glomerulonephritis, multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. A key project in the laboratory has been the identification of acute MI genes using the transcriptional profiling of platelets. Other projects include integrin-induced gene expression using differential display and cDNA arrays and integrin control of monocyte differentiation via the novel forkhead transcription factor Foxp1. The goal of these studies is to develop novel, translational approaches to target inflammation in atherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis, transplant vasculopathy, vasculitis, glomerulonephritis, and multiple sclerosis. Finally, I have also been actively involved in the training of numerous students, post-doctoral fellows and junior faculty members, who have established independent research careers. Specifically, over the past years, my trainees have been recipients of post-doctoral grants (NIH and AHA) as well K08/SDG awards. Recipients of the K08/SDG awards have now established independent laboratories at major medical centers in the United States and Japan.