Cheikh Seye

Research Assistant Professor of Biochemistry

Email:	seyec@missouri.edu
Phone:	(573) 884-1331
Lab:	(573) 882-1708
Fax:	(573) 884-2537
Office:	540C Bond Life Sciences Center
Mailing Address:	Biochemistry 540C Bond Life Sciences Center University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO 65211
Research Areas:	Nucleotide receptor signaling and cardiovascular disease.

Educational Background

MS		University of Paris 7	France	Cell & Molecular Biology
PhD		University of Paris 7	France	Cell & Molecular Biology

Research Description

The major objective of our research is to evaluate the contribution of extracellular nucleotides in vascular inflammation. Recruitment of blood-derived cells into the vessel wall is thought to be a major contributing factor to vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty. Inflammatory stimuli activate endothelial cells to increase the expression of adhesion molecules and chemokines that physically engage circulating leukocytes and promote their adherence to the vessel. Our research has shown that under patho-physiological conditions and during traumatic arterial events, nucleotide release from blood-derived and vascular cells (e.g., aggregating platelets, leukocytes, endothelial and smooth muscle cells) activates endothelial P2Y₂ nucleotide receptors leading to the paracellular migration of blood monocytes into the vessel wall. We are currently using transgenic P2Y₂ receptor transgenic animals and RNA interference technology for evaluating the mechanisms whereby this receptor contributes to vascular inflammation.

Selected Publications

Seye CI, Kong Q, Yu N, Gonzalez FA, Weisman GA. P2 receptors in atherosclerosis and post-angioplasty restenosis. Invited review. 2006. Purinergic Signalling. 3:153-162.

Seye CI, Yu N, Gonzalez F, Erb L, Weisman G. The P2Y₂ Nucleotide Receptor Mediates Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 Expression through Interaction with VEGF Receptor-2 (KDR/Flk-1). 2004. J. Biol. Chem. 279:35679-35686.

Seye CI, Knaapen MWM, Daret D, Desgranges C, Herman AG, and Kockx MM. 7-Ketocholesterol induces reversible cytochrome c release in smooth muscle cells in absence of mitochondrial swelling. J. Cardiovasc. Res. 2004. 64:144-153.

Shen J, Seye C, Meifang Wang, Weisman GA, Wilden PA, Sturek M. Cloning, Up-regulation, and Mitogenic Role of Porcine P2Y₂ Receptor in Coronary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells. J. Mol. Pharmacology. 2004. 66:1265-1274.