Research Overview

Dr. Hug is interested in the relationship of inflammation, insulin resistance and airway dysfunction, focusing on the role of adipokine and their receptors. Initial work has identified T-cadherin as a receptor for adiponectin, an important adipokine (or hormone produced by adipose tissue). Currently, the signaling pathways activated by this receptor/ligand are being characterized, as well as the structure/function relationship of this interaction.

Goals of Dr. Hug's work include:

• Develop a molecular model for adiponectin mediated signaling.
  
  
• Identify adiponectin receptors and binding partners involved in signaling.
  
  
• Study the role of adipokines and other hormones in insulin resistance, inflammation and asthma.

About Christopher Hug

Christopher Hug received an MD and PhD at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He completed his residency at Children's Hospital Boston and a fellowship at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research.

Key Publications

• Shore SA, Terry RD, Flynt L, Xu A, Hug C. Adiponectin attenuates allergen-induced airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in mice. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006 Aug;118(2):389-95.
  
  
• Hug C, Lodish HF. The role of the adipocyte hormone adiponectin in cardiovascular disease. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2005 Apr;5(2):129-34.
  
  
• Hug C, Wang J, Ahmad NS, Bogan JS, Tsao TS, Lodish HF. T-cadherin is a receptor for hexameric and high-molecular- weight forms of Acrp30/adiponectin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 Jul 13;101(28):10308-13.