Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
825 N.E. 13th
Room A-205, Mail Box 45
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104

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Education:

• University of Illinois
  Urbana, Illinois
  B.S. - Chemistry (1969)
• Washington University
  St. Louis, MO.
  Ph.D. - Biochemistry (1973)

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Clinical/Research Interests:

My research focuses on the formation of blood clots and on the natural mechanisms that prevent these clots from forming inappropriately in blood vessels. When occlusive clots form within blood vessels, strokes, heart attacks, pulmonary emboli and phlebitis result. These processes are a major cause of death and morbidity. In a different disease process, bacterial or viral infection can lead to septic shock, a condition that is often associated with massive blood clotting especially in the small vessels. Once this process occurs, it is often fatal. We have identified components of the blood vessel that prevent these processes and are attempting to understand the relationship between these components and the above disease processes. Our studies are designed to identify how the components function and their potential utility in blocking these disease processes. These questions are addressed by biophysical methods including X-ray crystallography, biochemical, immunological, molecular biological and physiological studies. Preliminary clinical results support the concept that these agents may be safe and very effective in certain forms of vascular disease. Release of these components from the vessel wall can also be used as a monitor of blood vessel disease processes.

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Select Honors & Accomplishments:

• Member, National Academy of Sciences (2002- )

• Inaugural Member, Oklahoma Inventors Hall of Fame (2002)

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Select Publications:

1. Rezale AR, HE X and Esmon CT. Thrombormodulin increases the rate of thrombin inhibition by BPTI. Biochemistry. 1998; 37: 693-699.

2. Taylor FB Jr, Stearns-Kurosawa DJ, Kurowasa S, Ferrell G, Chang AC, Laszik Z, Kosanke S, Peer G and Esmon CT. The endothelial cell protein C receptor aids in host defense against Escherichia coli sepsis. Blood. 2000; 95:1680-1686.

3. Gu JM, Fukudome K and Esmon CT. Characterization and regulation of the 5'-Flanking Region of the Murine Endothelial Protein C Receptor Gene. J Biol Chem. 2000; 275:12481-12488.

4. Taylor FB Jr, Peer GT, Lockhart MS, Ferrell G, and Esmon CT.  EPCR plays an important role in protein C activation in vivo. Blood. 2001; 97:1685-1688.

5. Safa O, Hensley K, Smirnov MD, Merrill JT, D'Angelo A, Esmon CT, and Esmon NL.  Lipid oxidation enhances the function of activated protein C and anti-phospholipid antibodies. J Biol Chem. 2001; 276:1829-1836.

6. Oganesyan V, Oganesyan N, Terzyan S, Qu D, Dauter Z, Esmon NL, and Esmon CT.   The crystal structure of the endothelial protein C receptor and a bound phospholipid.  J Biol Chem. 2002 Jul 12;277(28):24851-4. Epub 2002 May 28.