David C. Kem, MD Professor George Lynn Cross Research Professor   Dr. Kem's Research Group
Mailing Address: Everett Tower/University Hospital 1200 N. Everett Drive ET 6E112 Oklahoma City, OK 73104-5068	Telephone: (405) 271-5896 ext 47789 Fax: (405) 271-7522
Email: david-kem@ouhsc.edu

Research Interests

Clinical: Endocrine hypertension, adrenal diseases, and renovascular hypertension. Diagnostic tests for primary hyperaldosteronism, which was first described by Dr. Kem's mentor Dr. Jerome Conn. Extra (aberrant) renal arteries and hypertension: identification of a new syndrome wherein an aberrant renal artery is associated with elevated renin activity and hypertension despite no evidence for localized arterial narrowing

Research: Goal: To bridge the gap between basic research into hormonal mediated G-protein receptor pathophysiology and clinical outcomes in cardiovascular diseases.

We have identified an ischemia-induced loss of an enzyme (G-protein receptor kinase, GRK2) that plays a major role in protecting the heart from arrhythmias. This deficiency occurs within hours of the myocardial ischemia, leaving the ischemic tissue hyper-responsive to beta -adrenergic stimulation and prone to fatal arrhythmias. We are defining the mechanism for this deficiency and have identified several effective pharmacologic interventions.

A second project, funded by the VAMC, is directed toward identifying the mechanism by which hyperglycemia may lead to complications of diabetes mellitus that lead to 1) desensitization of the heart and 2) desensitization of receptors in blood vessels in the eye to G-protein-mediated hormones such as norepinephrine and angiotensin II. These studies use in vitro cell cultures and mice with STZ-induced Type 1 diabetes mellitus. They employ MRI/MRS technology transgenic mice with genetically altered function of PKCbeta and/or GRK2.

Dr. Kem has helped develop and sustain the annual A Kurt Weiss Lectureship in Biomedical Ethics, a monthly Medical Ethics grand rounds for medical students. He is an advisor to the local chapter of the Christian Medical and Dental Association. He has strong family interactions, and has 5 children and 21 grandchildren.

Education

Stavrakis S, Kem DC, Patterson E, Lozano P, Huang S, Szabo B, Cunningham MW, Yu X. Opposing cardiac effects of autoantibody activation of beta-adrenergic and M2 muscarinic receptors in cardiac related diseases.  Submitted.

Mascaro-Blanco A, Yu X, Lindenfeld J, Olansky L, Lyons T, Duvall D, Heuser JS, Rubenstein CJ, Cooper LT, Kem DC, Cunningham MW. Consequences of unlocking the cardiac myosin molecule in human myocarditis and cardiomyopathies. Autoimmunity, In Press 2008.

Huang S, Patterson E, Yu X, Garrett MW, Kem DC. Proteasome inhibition one hour following ischemia protects GRK2 and prevents malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias and SCD in a canine model of myocardial infarction. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2008;294(3):H1298-1303.

Kem DC, Yu X, Patterson E, Huang S, Stavrakis S, Szabo B, Olansky L, McCauley J, Cunningham MW. An autoimmune hypertensive syndrome. Hypertension 50:829-834, 2007.

Kem DC, Metcalf JP, Cornea A, Dunnam M, Engelbrecht A, Yu X. Is pseudocushings syndrome in a critically ill patient pseudo? Endocr Pract 2007;13(2):153-158.

Yu X, Tesiram YA, Towner RA, Abbott A, Patterson E, Huang S, Garrett MW, Chandrasekaran S, Matsuzaki S, Szweda LI, Gordon BE, Kem DC. Early myocardial dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice: a study using in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cardiovasc Diabetol 2007;6:6.

Patterson E, X Yu, S Huang, MW Garrett and DC Kem. Suppression of autonomic-mediated triggered firing in pulmonary veins, 24 hrs post coronary artery ligation in the dog. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 17(7):763-70, 2006.

Yu X, Huang S, Patterson E, Garrett, M W, Kaufman K W, Zhe M, Dunn S T, Kem D C. Proteasome Degradation of GRK2 During Ischemia and Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in a Canine Model of Myocardial Infarction, Am J Physiol/Heart Circ Physiol, 289(5):H1960-967, 2005.

Yu X, Patterson E, Huang S, Garrett M W, Kem DC. TNF?, Rapid Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias and Infarct Size in Canine Models of Myocardial Infarction. J Cardiovasc Pharmacology;45:153-159, 2005.

Kem, DC, D Lyons, J Wenzl, D Halverstadt, X Yu, MD. Renin Dependent Hypertension Due To Nonfocal-stenotic Aberrant Renal Arteries: Proof Of A New Syndrome; Hypertension; 46:380-385, 2005. (with accompanying editorial by ed.)