Contact Information

Office: 151 Research Services, VA Med Center
Phone: 319-339-7019 
Faculty Profile

Brief description of current research:

The overall goal of the research in my laboratory is to better understand the mechanisms regulating vascular function which is modified by sex and altered in obesity and diabetes. In recent years my research has focused on the regulation of endothelial and smooth muscle function in models of diet-induced obesity with an emphasis on the role of lipid raft localization of signaling proteins within plasma membranes.  Lipid rafts function as centers for regulating signaling pathways either positively or negatively. We have demonstrated that localization of components of the rho/rho kinase pathway is regulated differentially in caveolae compared to non-caveolar lipid rafts to modify vascular contractile responses. We have examined effects of dietary fatty acid composition on lipid raft regulation of signaling pathways in conjunction with vascular function. Recent studies from my lab using a model of diet-induced obesity and type 2 diabetes suggest that the fatty acid composition impacts localization of eNOS and production of sphingolipids in vasculature. Effects differ depending on fatty acid saturation. The results of these studies may provide dietary strategies for treatment of obesity and obesity associated type 2 diabetes to prevent or reverse cardiovascular disease. We utilize molecular, biochemical and physiological approaches to dissect the relationship between protein expression and localization and vascular function.

3 most influential diabetes/obesity/metabolism publications:

• Lamping, K.G., Nuno, D.W., Coppey, L.J., Holmes, A.J., Hu, S., Oltman, C, Norris, A.W., and Yorek, M.A.: Modification of high saturated fat diet with n-3 polyunsaturated fat improves glucose intolerance and vascular dysfunction. Diabetes, Obesity, Metab 10.1111/dom.12004, 2013, PMID: 22950668, PMC3674571.
• Nelson, P.N., Harrod, J.S. and Lamping, K.G.: 5HT2A and 5HT2B receptors contribute to serotonin-induced vascular dysfunction in Diabetes. Exptl Diab Res 2012: doi:10.1155/2012/398406, PMC3546478.
• Nuno, D.W., England, S.K. and Lamping, K.G.: RhoA localization with caveolin-1 regulates vascular contractions to serotonin. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 303: R959-967, 2012. PMID: 22955097. PMC3517699.