Current Research Interests

1. Effects of Photodynamic Treatment of Red Cell Concentrates on White Blood Contaminants. 
ORSP Internal Grant 2001-2002

The principle goal of the study is to test the hypothesis that photodynamic treatment (PDT) of red blood cell concentrates (RBCCs) is effective in inactivating contaminating white blood cells (WBCs) in blood components. Despite vast improvements in the safety of the blood supply in the United States as a result of donor screening and pretransfusion testing, there is still risk associated with receiving blood transfusions. This includes the risk of transfusion-transmitted diseases due to viruses and bacteria in the infused products. PDT is capable of inactivating lipid-enveloped viruses and bacteria in RBCCs with limited damage to the red blood cells. WBCs modulate the  immune system and cause alloimmunization and immunomodulation in susceptible recipients of blood component therapy.   Alloimmunization may cause platelet refractoriness and released cytokines from WBCs may also cause febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions. 

The study will investigate:
1. Proliferation and viability of WBC subpopulations after PDT
2. DNA damage to the WBCs after PDT
3. The synthesis and release of cytokines by WBCs after PDT  

2. Biochemical Markers in Acute Coronary Syndromes

Various markers are employed in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome including creatine kinase, creatine kinase MB, lactate dehydrogenase. Currently, CK-MB is the "gold standard" My current interest is in the application of troponin T and I in the diagnosis of ACS.    

3. Inflammatory Components to the Development and Progression of Coronary Artery Disease 

There are epidemiological studies, which support a positive association between plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations and the risk for CVD. McCully made the observation in 1969 that patients with very high concentrations of plasma Hcy attributable to homocystinuria have an accelerated atherosclerosis. It is postulated that Hcy may cause atherosclerosis by damaging the endothelium directly or through alteration of oxidative status. Hyperhomocysteinemia, defined as a mildly increased plasma homocysteine concentration, is positively associated with CVD. It has been suggested that Hyperhomocysteinemia may promote the production of hydroxyl radicals, known peroxidation initiators, through Hcy autooxidation and thiolactone formation. The hydroxyl radicals and peroxidation initiators modify lipoproteins, which are taken up by macrophages. The macrophages are transformed into foam cells that contribute to the development of atherosclerotic plaque and progression of atherogenesis. Homocysteine levels in plasma may be decreased by the administration of vitamin B₁₂, vitamin B₆, and particularly folic acid in both healthy patients and patients with CVD.

4. hs-CRP in Risk Stratification of Coronary Heart Disease

Another area of current interest include investigation of inflammatory parameters such as hs-CRP, IL-6 and lipoprotein(a) as markers for increased potential to plaque rupture, thrombosis and coronary vascular disease. Interleukin (IL)-6 is the major determinant of acute phase reactant protein synthesis in the liver and it controls the production of CRP. Elevations of either IL-6 or hs-CRP can be predictive in determining future risk for coronary heart disease.

Lipoprotein(a) also known as the “sinking pre-b lipoprotein” was first described in 1963 by Kare Berg as lipoprotein antigen or a genetic variant of LDL that was more prevalent in the plasma of myocardial infarction survivors than in age-matched control group of Scandinavian men. Lipoprotein(a) concentrations are lower in Caucasians than in people whose ancestry originated in Africa or the Indian subcontinent. Screening for Lp(a) should be considered when there is a patient or family history of premature atherosclerotic heart disease,  familial history of hyperlipidemia, established atherosclerotic heart disease with a normal routine lipid profile, hyperlipidemia refractory to therapy, and/or history of recurrent arterial stenosis.

This study is investigating the diagnostic utility of homocysteine, interleukin-6 and lipoprotein(a) as markers in risk stratification of ACS. 

5. The Application of PCR-Based Melting Curve Analysis to the Study of Sickle Cell Disease and Beta-Globin locus haplotypes

Melting curve analysis is a newly developed procedure for the identification of alterations in gene sequences. It is less labor intensive compared to older methods such as Southern blot. This research will apply this technique to the determination of beta globin haplotype in persons with sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is a genetically inherited disease with a world wide distribution but with increased prevalence in persons of African descent.  

Recent Publications:
1. Wilson JA, Ogedegbe H. Incorporating West Nile virus testing into the clinical laboratory. Tech Sample’s Clinical Immunology Edition No. CI-5 2005 . American Society for Clinical Pathology. 
2. Ogedegbe HO. Biochemical markers in acute myocardial infarction. Tech Sample’s 2005 Clinical Chemistry Edition. American Society for Clinical Pathology. (In press)
3. Ogedegbe HO Megaloblastic anemia. Tech Sample’s Hematology Edition No. H-3 2005. American Society for Clinical Pathology.
4. Ogedegbe HO, Csury L, Simmons BH. Anemia: a clinical laboratory perspective. Laboratory Medicine. 2004;35(3):17-24
 5. Ogedegbe HO. Book Review: Clinical and Laboratory Evaluation of Human Autoimmune Diseases Editors: Nakamura RM, Keren DF, Bylun DJ. ASCP Press Chicago 2002 ISBN: 0-89189-423-3 Laboratory Medicine 2004;35(1):61. 
6.  Ogedegbe HO, St. Hill H. Specialized tests in Hemostasis. Medical Laboratory Observer. 2003:35(12):10-13
7.  Ogedegbe HO, St Hill H. West Nile virus: Laboratory Diagnosis and FDA Guidance. Laboratory Medicine 2003;34(6):445-448,465-467
8. Ogedegbe HO The Dysmetabolic (Dysmetabolic Syndrome) and Coronary Heart Disease in the African American, Hispanic and other minority populations. ABC Digest of Urban Cardiology 2002;9(3):17-25
9. Ogedegbe HO. Apolipoprotein A-I/B ratios may be useful in coronary heart disease risk assessment. Laboratory Medicine 2002;33(10):790-793 
10. Ogedegbe HO Sickle cell disease: an overview. Laboratory Medicine 2002;33(7):5-13.
11. Ogedegbe HO. A Review of Non-immune Mediated Transfusion Reactions. Laboratory Medicine 2002;33(5):12-17
12. Ogedegbe HO. A Review of Immune Mediated Transfusion Reactions. Laboratory Medicine 2002;33(4):13-21
13. Ogedegbe HO. Biochemical Markers in Risk Stratification and Diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Laboratory Perspective Laboratory Medicine 2002;33(1):42-53
14. Ogedegbe HO. Autoimmune diseases: a spectrum of disease processes. Laboratory Medicine 2001;32(11):670-679
15. Ogedegbe HO. Brown DW. The Ubiquitous Lipids and Related Diseases: A Laboratory Perspective. (Continuing Education) Medical Laboratory Observer 2001;33(7)18-29
16. Ogedegbe HO, Brown DW. Lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins and their disease associations. Laboratory Medicine 2001;32(7):384-389
17. Ogedegbe HO, White R, Greider DH. Cost effectiveness of apolipoprotein A-I/B ratios in coronary heart disease risk assessment: revival of an old test. Clinical Chemistry 2001;47(6):A49 (Supplement)
18. Ogedegbe HO, Renk CM. Strategies for inactivation of viral and bacterial contaminants in blood and blood components. Laboratory Medicine 2001;32(3):156-60