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Kevin Lynch

Lynch, Kevin R.

Primary Appointment

Professor and Vice Chair, Pharmacology

Education

  • BS, Microbiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
  • MS, Microbiology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
  • PhD, Molecular Biology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
  • Postdoc, Molecular Biology, Columbia University

Contact Information

PO Box 800735
1340 Jefferson Park Ave., Pinn Hall, Room 5227B
Charlottesville, VA 22908
Telephone: 434-924-2840
Fax: 434-982-3878
Email: krl2z@virginia.edu

Research Disciplines

Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Cardiovascular Biology, Immunology, Molecular Pharmacology, Translational Science

Research Interests

Chemical biology of sphingosine 1-phosphate

Research Description

Our research investigates the biology of the lipid mediator, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). S1P concentration gradients are known to influence immune cell positioning. Indeed, S1P type 1 receptor agonist drugs are immunosuppressive by virtue of down regulating cell surface S1P1 receptors and thereby interdicting lymphocyte egress from lymph nodes to efferent lymph. While a set of S1P1 receptor modulator drugs are used clinically for treating autoimmune diseases, the class is beset by adverse events such as first dose bradycardia.

An alternative to masking the existence of S1P gradients from lymphocytes is to reshape the S1P gradients by inhibiting the S1P transporter, Spns2. Ideally, drugs blocking the release of cellular S1P will capture the efficacy of S1P receptor modulators with lessened adverse events. To test this idea, we are discovering and characterizing small molecule Spns2 inhibitors. Our inhibitors are proving useful as chemical probes to increase understanding of S1P signaling and may provide a path to developing a S1P transport blocking drug.

Selected Publications