

Christopher B. Pattillo, PhD
Professor of Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Bachelor of Science, Biophysics (2001) - Centenary College of Louisiana
Master of Science, Biomedical Engineering (2004) - University of Tennessee Health Science Center - Memphis
PhD, Engineering (2007) - Temple University
Post-Doctoral Fellow (2012) - Louisiana State University Health Shreveport
Research
Glutathione, Efferocytosis, and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
The Pattillo laboratory investigates how redox metabolism shapes macrophage function and the progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. A major focus is glutathione, the principal intracellular antioxidant, and the pathways that regulate its synthesis. In particular, the laboratory studies glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM), an essential regulator of glutathione biosynthesis, and how changes in GCLM expression alter macrophage responses within the atherosclerotic environment.
Current studies examine how impaired glutathione homeostasis disrupts efferocytosis, the macrophage-mediated clearance of apoptotic cells that is necessary for inflammation resolution and plaque stability. The laboratory combines mechanistic studies with novel genetic models designed to reproduce human-relevant GCLM variants associated with cardiovascular risk, allowing the consequences of these variants to be examined from cellular redox signaling through disease progression. Human macrophages and atherosclerotic tissues are also used to connect experimental findings directly to human disease. Through this work, the laboratory seeks to define how genetic variation in antioxidant pathways contributes to defective inflammation resolution, necrotic core formation, and susceptibility to myocardial infarction and other manifestations of ASCVD.
Redox Signaling and Vascular Remodeling in Ischemic Disease
A second major research direction of the Pattillo laboratory focuses on how redox signaling regulates vascular adaptation to ischemia. Rather than viewing reactive oxygen species solely as sources of cellular damage, the laboratory investigates how precisely controlled changes in cellular oxidation-reduction balance function as signals that regulate endothelial cells, inflammatory cells, and vascular remodeling.
Using experimental models of hindlimb ischemia and peripheral vascular disease, the laboratory studies how glutathione availability, the GSH:GSSG redox balance, and reversible protein modifications such as S-glutathionylation influence angiogenesis, arteriogenesis, and recovery of blood flow following vascular occlusion. These studies examine how redox-sensitive signaling pathways control the cellular behaviors required to remodel existing vessels and establish an effective vascular response to ischemic injury. By integrating molecular redox biology with physiologically relevant models of vascular disease, the laboratory aims to identify redox-dependent mechanisms that can be targeted to improve vascular repair and tissue perfusion in conditions such as peripheral artery disease.
Team
Luisa Delgadillo
Graduate Assistant
Email: luisa.delgadillo@lsuhs.edu
Teresita Sanchez
Transient
Email: teresita.sanchez@lsuhs.edu
Larsen Jennings
Project: Cancer cell chemotaxis
Currently: A student at LSU, Baton Rouge, LA
Previous Lab Members
Postdoctoral Fellows
PhD Students
Undergraduate Students
Sharon Li
Project:
Sharon's work focuses on the influence of glutathione levels on chemotherapeutic resistant tumors.
Currently:
A student at Yale University, CT

Harry Lee Hooker III
Project:
Harry's project focused on the regulation of macrophage polarization through glutathione manipulation. This work was funded through an R25 awarded from the NIH.
Currently:
A student at Grambling State University, Grambling, LA

Sunjay Letchuman
Currently:
A student at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Amir Kaskas
Currently:
A student at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport, LA
Ankur Khanna
Currently:
A student at Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Vijay Letchuman
Currently:
A student at UMKC School of Medicine 6 year B.A./M.D., Kansas City, MO
Publications
Selected Publications
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Delgadillo LF, Rashdan NA, Hamilton H, et al., Pattillo CB. Calcification in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Is Associated with Elevated GCLm and Impaired Contraction: Insights into Osteogenic Transdifferentiation and Therapeutic Approaches. Pathophysiology. 2025;32(4):66. PMID: 41441180. PubMed
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Pearson-Gallion B, Finney AC, Scott ML, et al. Fibronectin-dependent integrin signaling drives EphA2 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2025;328:C1623-C1636. PMID: 40241381. PubMed
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Das S, Finney AC, Anand SK, et al. Inhibition of hepatic oxalate overproduction ameliorates metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. Nature Metabolism. 2024;6:1939-1962. PMID: 39333384. PubMed
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Remex NS, Abdullah CS, Aishwarya R, et al. Deletion of Sigmar1 leads to increased arterial stiffness and altered mitochondrial respiration resulting in vascular dysfunction. Front Physiol. 2024;15:1386296. PMID: 38742156. PubMed
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Jorgensen AN, Rashdan NA, Rao KNS, Delgadillo LF, Kolluru GK, Krzywanski DM, Pattillo CB, Kevil CG, Nam HW. Neurogranin expression regulates mitochondrial function and redox balance in endothelial cells. Redox Biology. 2024;70:103085. PMID: 38359746. PubMed
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Anand SK, Governale TA, Zhang X, Razani B, Yurdagul A Jr, Pattillo CB, Rom O. Amino Acid Metabolism and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease. Am J Pathol. 2024;194:510-524. PMID: 38171450. PubMed
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Seeley EH, Liu Z, Yuan S, et al. Spatially Resolved Metabolites in Stable and Unstable Human Atherosclerotic Plaques Identified by Mass Spectrometry Imaging. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2023;43:1626-1635. PMID: 37381983. PubMed
News
July 2026 - The Pattillo Laboratory was awarded an NIH R01 to investigate the mechanisms by which decreased GSH/GSSG promotes MerTK glutathionylation to impair efferocytosis and worsen atherosclerosis
May 2019, Boston, MA - The Pattillo Lab attended the 2019 ATVB Vascular Discovery meeting and presented two posters. Dr. Shrestha presented a poster titled "Antioxidant Glutathione Regulation of Pro-angiogenic Immune Factors During Ischemia." Dr. Rashdan presented a poster titled "Glutathione Regulates Arterial Calcification via Altered Matrix Remodeling." Well done everyone!
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February 2019 - The Pattillo lab was awarded an NIH R01 award for 5 years. This work focuses on the role of glutathione in shear mediated arteriogenesis. Congratulations Team!
May 2018, San Francisco, CA - Dr. Shrestha was awarded a travel award for Young Investigators from the ATVB/PVD council at the AHA conference for a second year in a row. Congratulations Bee!
May 2017, Minneapolis, MN - Dr. Shrestha was awarded a travel award for Young Investigators from the ATVB/PVD council at the AHA conference. Congratulations Bee!
Lab Opportunities
Post-doctoral Fellows
We are actively recruiting 1 - 2 post-doctoral fellows for funded projects. To enquire about opportunities, contact Dr. Pattillo at christopher.pattillo@lsuhs.edu.
Graduate Students
Graduate students interested in conducting research in the Pattillo lab should review the current laboratory research directions and contact Dr. Pattillo at christopher.pattillo@lsuhs.edu.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
We are always looking for motivated undergraduate students who would like to develop scientific laboratory skills. To enquire about opportunities, contact Dr. Pattillo at christopher.pattillo@lsuhs.edu.
Medical Students, Residents, and Fellows
The Pattillo laboratory has a number of research projects available for Medical Students, Residents, and Fellows. Those interested should contact Dr. Pattillo at christopher.pattillo@lsuhs.edu for more information.
Contact Us
LSU Health Shreveport
Molecular & Cellular Physiology
BRI Room F4-23
1501 Kings Hwy
Shreveport, LA 71103
Email: christopher.pattillo@lsuhs.edu
Office: (318) 675-6974
Lab: (318) 675-6975
Fax: (318) 675-6005

Pattillo Lab



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