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Nadia Ameen, MBBS

Professor of Pediatrics (Gastroenterology); Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health

Contact Information

Nadia Ameen, MBBS

Lab Location

Mailing Address

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology & Hepatology

    PO Box 208064

    New Haven, CT 06520-8064

    United States

Ameen Lab

Research Summary

My laboratory has been supported continuously by NIH awards (K08, R03, R01) since 2000. We study intracellular trafficking routes and mechanisms and that regulate the expression and function of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel in the intestine. CFTR represents the primary exit pathway responsible for anion and fluid secretion on the apical membranes of intestinal cells. Mutations in the CFTR gene result in absence of functional CFTR channels and the genetic disease Cystic Fibrosis while up-regulation of CFTR function is implicated in diarrheal diseases. We employ transgenic animal and polarized intestinal cell models in conjunction with cell biologic, molecular and physiologic approaches to understand the intracellular trafficking routes traversed by CFTR and how alterations in these pathways lead to intestinal diseases. We discovered a unique mature enterocyte that we named CFTR High Expresser (CHE) cells in rat and human intestine. Recent single cell RNA studies identify these cells as a new cell type called Best4 positive cells. We are investigating the properties, functions and fate of CHEs using organoid models and native rat intestine. CHEs appear to be neuropod cells that sense and respond to luminal environments, and are altered in CF.

Extensive Research Description

Our early studies focussed on identification of trafficking as a major mechanism regulating CFTR in the intestine and its relevance to secretory diarrhea. More recently, we investigate a rare genetic diarrheal disease that affect new borns, Microvillus Inclusion Disease(MVID). We were first to show that MVID results from an apical trafficking defect. Current investigations are elucidating kinase signaling mechanisms regulating ion transport that result in diarrhea in MVID.

Coauthors

Research Interests

Antidiarrheals; Intestinal Diseases

Research Images

Immunolocalization of NHE3 in Human MVID small intestine
We were first to show how apical ion transporters are dysregulated in MVID to account for diarrhea in this disease

Selected Publications

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