Steven E. Shoelson, M.D., Ph.D.

Studies in the Shoelson lab focus on the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications, and potential new avenues for treatment. More specifically, our lab focuses on potential roles of inflammation in the pathogenesis of diabetes (insulin resistance and β cell dysfunction) and its long term macrovascular (atherosclerosis) and microvascular (neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy) complications.  More than 10 years ago we rediscovered an arcane medical literature on the use of salicylate in diabetes, and have since developed this line of investigation to (1) better understand pathogenesis in insulin resistance, impaired β cell function, and T2D, (2) provide leads for pharmacological target identification and validation, and (3) develop potential new treatment strategies for patients with T2D and its microvascular complications. These studies led to our identifying both molecular (e.g. NF-κB) and cellular targets of salicylate, which include circulating monocytes and other elements of both innate and adaptive immune systems. These studies are of direct potential value to both researchers in the field and patients with cardiovascular disease and diabetes.