UCSF DIABETES, ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM TRAINING PROGRAM FACULTY RESEARCH SUMMARIES
WERB, ZENA, Ph.D. Department of Anatomy
|
|
My research focuses on the role of proteases and the cellular microenvironment in organogenesis and disease. Current efforts include projects on the role of serine and metalloproteinases in the regulation of stem cell recruitment, branching morphogenesis, angiogenesis and vascular development, and adipogenesis. I am also investigating the role of innate immunity and inflammation in adipogenesis, normal development, and tumor progression.
Selected References
Selvarajan, S., L. R. Lund, T. Takeuchi, C. S. Craik & Z. Werb (2001). A plasminogen cascade dependent on plasma kallikrein is required for adipocyte differentiation. Nature Cell Biol. 3: 267-275.
Liu, Z., X. Zhou, L. A. Diaz, R. M. Senior & Z. Werb (2005). Synergy between a plasminogen cascade and MMP-9 in autoimmune disease . J. Clin. Invest. 115: 879-887.
Sternlicht, M.D., S. W. Sunnarborg, H. Kouros-Mehr, Y. Yu, D. C. Lee & Z. Werb (2005). Mammary ductal morphogenesis requires paracrine activation of stromal EGFR via ADAM17-dependent shedding of epithelial amphiregulin. Development. 2005 Sep;132(17):3923-33.