Spotlight on the Laboratory of Dr. Fawaz Haj

Dr. Haj’s laboratory studies the molecular basis of metabolic diseases with a focus on type 2 diabetes and its complications. The team investigates the role of key signaling molecules, namely protein tyrosine phosphatases and their interacting partners, in metabolic regulation. This is achieved through the combined use of cellular, biochemical, gene knockout and system biology approaches.

Recent publications by lab members include the following:

• Inceoglu B, Bettaieb A, Trindade da Silva CA, Lee KS, Haj FG, Hammock BD. Endoplasmic reticulum stress in the peripheral nervous system is a significant driver of neuropathic pain.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015 Jul 6. [PubMed]
• Bettaieb A, Chahed S, Bachaalany S, Griffey S, Hammock BD, Haj FG. Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Pharmacological Inhibition Ameliorates Experimental Acute Pancreatitis in Mice. Mol Pharmacol. 2015 Aug;88(2):281-90. (epub ahead of print) [PubMed]
• Jialal I, Devaraj S, Bettaieb A, Haj F, Adams-Huet B. Increased adipose tissue secretion of Fetuin-A, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and high-mobility group box protein 1 in metabolic syndrome.  Atherosclerosis. 2015 Jul;241(1):130-7. [PubMed]
• Bettaieb A, Jiang JX, Sasaki Y, Chao TI, Kiss Z, Chen X, Tian J, Katsuyama M, Yabe-Nishimura C, Xi Y, Szyndralewiez C, Schröder K, Shah A, Brandes RP, Haj FG, Török NJ. Hepatocyte NADPH Oxidase 4 Regulates Stress Signaling, Fibrosis, and Insulin Sensitivity During Development of Steatohepatitis in Mice. Gastroenterology. 2015 Apr 14. pii: S0016-5085(15)00509-0.  [PubMed]
• Vazquez Prieto MA, Bettaieb A, Rodriguez Lanzi C, Soto VC, Perdicaro DJ, Galmarini CR, Haj FG, Miatello RM, Oteiza PI. Catechin and quercetin attenuate adipose inflammation in fructose-fed rats and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2015 Apr;59(4):622-33. [PubMed]
• Harris TR, Bettaieb A, Kodani S, Dong H, Myers R, Chiamvimonvat N, Haj FG, Hammock BD. Inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase attenuates hepatic fibrosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice.  Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2015 Mar 28. pii: S0041-008X(15)00113-1. [PubMed]