John T. Li, MD

Dr. Li is a junior investigator in Dr. Dean Sheppard's laboratory at the Lung Biology Center located on the Mission Bay campus.  He investigates the precise molecular mechanisms that regulate lung epithelial and endothelial interactions in inflammatory conditions.  Central to understanding lung epithelial-endothelial interactions is identifying key signaling pathways involving matrix proteins, tight junction molecules, and immune cell responses to inflammatory stimuli.  Dr. Li is currently focused on understanding the role of junctional adhesion molecules (JAMs) in regulating leukocyte trafficking and vascular permeability.  A second area of investigation involves understanding the role of integrin beta-8 on immune cells in regulation of host response to LPS and infectious pneumonia in rodent models of acute lung injury.  Implications of his research endeavors include identifying therapeutic targets for ameliorating capillary leak syndromes observed in over-exuberant inflammatory diseases such as acute lung injury and sepsis.