Quantcast

Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology

Fitz-Roy Curry, Ph.D.


Professor
4224 Tupper Hall
Davis Campus
(530) 752-6716
e-mail


Recent/Current
Research Funding

National Institutes
of Health

Graduate Group Affiliations

Biomedical Engineering

 

Comparative Pathology


Cell and Developmental
Biology

Research Interests

To investigate the modulation of the permeability of small blood vessels we measure the permeability properties of the intact endothelial barrier in individual microvessels (15-40microns in diameter) in living tissue, using microperfusion techniques. Current projects involve investigation of the role of small GTPases in the regulation of endothelial cell adhesion and contractile mechanisms, and the transition from a normal anti-inflammatory to a more pro-inflammatory endothelial cell phenotype in microvessels after exposure to inflammatory conditions (Supported by N.I.H. HL-28607 1982-2010). We have also developed a combined biophysical, bio-engineering, ultrastructural and microperfusion approach to investigate the role of the endothelial glycocalyx as a barrier to water and macromolecule transport, and as a mechanotransducer in the maintenance of normal permeability and increases in small solute (nutrient) permeability. Supported by N.I.H. HL44485 (1991-2011). These studies link investigations of mechanisms which regulate vascular permeability at the cellular and molecular level with investigations of the functional properties of water and solute exchange in intact tissue and whole organs. We have active collaborations with investigators at the University of Bergen, Norway and the University of Wurzburg, Germany to develop new MR Imaging methods to measure vascular permeability in the tissue of transgenic mouse models of modified vascular permeability ( e.g. in the EC-GC-C_KO mouse); with investigators at City College, New York to developed detailed 3D models of the endothelial glycocalyx, the intercellular cleft, and the surrounding tissue, and with colleagues at UCDavis Biomedical Engineering to investigate macromolecule delivery in tumors, and wound healing using advanced multimodal imaging techniques ( Micro PET and long wavelength fluorescence scanning)

Representative Publications

1999 Michel, C.C. and F.E. Curry. Microvascular Permeability. Physiol. Rev. 79:703-761.

2002 Adamson, R.H., F.E. Curry, G. Adamson, B. Liu, Y. Jiang, K. Aktories, H. Barth, A. Daigeler, N. Golenhofen, W. Ness and D. Drenckhahn. Rho and Rho kinase modulation of barrier properties: cultured endothelial cells and intact microvessels of rats and mice. J. Physiol. 537:295-308.

2003 Adamson RH, Zeng M, Adamson GN, Lenz JF, Curry FE. PAF- and bradykinin-induced hyperpermeability of rat venules is independent of actin-myosin contraction. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 285:H406-417.

2003 Waschke, J., Baumgartner, W., Adamson, R.H., Zeng, M., Aktories, K., Barth, H., Wilde, C., Curry, F.E., and Drenckhahn, D. Requirement of Rac Activity for Maintenance of Capillary Endothelial Barrier Properties. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, 286: H394-H401.

2004 Adamson, R.H., Lenz, J.F., Zhang, X., Adamson, G.N., Weinbaum, S. and Curry, F.E. Oncotic pressures opposing filtration across non-fenestrated rat microvessels. J Physiol. 557(3): 889-907.

2007 Stieger S.M., Caskey, C.F., Adamson, R.H., Qin, S., Curry, F.E., Wisner, E. and Ferrara, K.W. Enhancement of Vascular permeability with low frequency ultrasound. Radiology, 2007 243(1):112-21.

2008 Zhang X, Adamson RH, Curry FE, Weinbaum S. Transient regulation of transport by pericytes in venular microvessels via trapped microdomains. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 105:1374-9.

2008 Adamson RH, Ly JC, Sarai RK, Lenz JF, Altangerel A, Drenckhahn D, Curry FR.Epac/Rap1 pathway regulates microvascular hyperpermeability induced by PAF in rat mesentery. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 294:H1188-96.

2008 Curry,FR Permeability measurements in an individually perfused capillary: the 'squid axon' of the microcirculation (1974). Exp Physiol. 93:444-6.

2009 Michel CC and Curry FE Glycocalyx volume measurements: a critical review of tracer dilution methods for its measurement. Micocirculation. 16:213-219.

2009 Kim MH, Curry FR, Simon SI. Dynamics of neutrophil extravasation and vascular permeability are uncoupled during aseptic cutaneous wounding. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol.296:C848-856.

Recent/Current Teaching

MCP210, Advanced Physiology
HPH299, Research-Physiology
HPH400, Human Physiology

Honors and Awards

  • 2009 Hibbard Williams Extraordinary Achievement Award
  • Established Investigator, American Heart Association
  • National Institute of Health, Merit Award
  • Landis Award of the Microcirculatory Society
  • University of California Davis, School of Medicine Faculty Research Award
  • National Heart Lung and Blood, Cardiovascular Renal Study Section
  • Editorial Board Member, Cardiovascular Research
  • Past Editorial Board Member, Circulation Research
  • Past Editorial Board Member, Microvascular Research
  • Past Editorial Board Member, American Journal of Physiology Heart and Circulation
  • Past President, Microcirculation Society
  • Past Chair-Cardiovascular Section, American Physiological Society