Shukti Chakravarti, PhD

SUMMARY

We are interested in understanding how the extracellular matrix (ECM) regulates cellular functions and tissue homeostasis. The ECM is a network of collagens, proteoglycans, and glycoproteins that facilitates cell communication and function in multicellular organisms. The macromolecular composition and the structure of the ECM change with the needs of the particular tissue. Importantly, in an ECM that is remodeling, the components are more readily available to interact with cells to provide instructive signals during repair and regeneration. We strive to understand dysregulations in these cell-ECM interactions that form the basis of many pathological conditions. Our work on lumican and other members of the small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycan (SLRP) family of the ECM show that in addition to regulating collagen fibril assembly, SLRPs interact with immune cells to regulate chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and toll-like receptor mediated innate immune responses in a remodeling ECM. Our ongoing work on SLRPs uses mouse models to elucidate the role of SLRPs in neutrophil, macrophage and dendritic cell functions in bacterial and viral infections.

A second research area in our laboratory focuses on the ECM changes and the underlying genetic causes in a corneal disease called keratoconus where there is a gradual loss in corneal cells and ECM. With progressive loss of vision and a poorly understood etiology, keratoconus is the second most common cause for corneal transplants worldwide. We are sequencing keratoconus patient DNA to identify causal genetic variants, and use cell culture and cornea organoid culture models for functional characterizations of these novel genetic variants.

Lab members

Masters Student

Tansol Choi, BS

Postdoctoral Fellows

George Maiti, PhD 2016-

Maithe Rocha Monteiro, de Barros  PhD 2021-

Sean Ashworth, PhD, 2022-

Research Technicians

Nan Hu, MS, 2017-

Mackenzie Charter, MS,, 2020-