Amsler Lab Webpage

Amsler CV

Kurt Amsler, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Research

Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences

Rockefeller Building, Room 314F

NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine

New York Institute of Technology

Northern Boulevard

Old Westbury, NY  11568-8000

Phone – (516) 686-3716

email – kamsler@nyit.edu

Academic Appointments

1986-1990               Assistant Professor Department of Physiology and Biophysics

                                                                     Mt. Sinai School of Medicine

                                                                     New York, NY

1991-2002               Assistant Professor Department of Physiology and Biophysics

                                                                     UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

                                                                     Piscataway, NJ

2002-2004               Assistant Professor Division of Nephrology

                                                                 Department of Medicine

                                                                     Mt. Sinai School of Medicine

                                                                     New York, NY

2004-2007               Associate Professor   Division of Nephrology

                                                                 Department of Medicine

                                                                     Mt. Sinai School of Medicine

                                                                     New York, NY

2007-present           Professor                Department of Biomedical Sciences

                                                                     NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine

                                                                     Old Westbury, NY

Administrative Appointments

2007-present           Associate Dean                  Office of Research

                                 for Research                      NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine

                                                                             Old Westbury, NY

Employment History

2001-2002               Group Leader                                      Biology Group

                                                                                                 TransForm Pharmaceuticals

                                                                                                     Waltham, MA

2002-2003               Senior Scientist                                       BioSource

                                                                                                     Hopkinton, MA

Education

1971-1975               New College                                            B.A.

1975-1978               University of Toronto                              M.Sc.

1979-1982               University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge

                                 Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences  Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Training

1982-1984               Yale University Medical School; Advisor – Dr. E.A. Adelberg

1984-1986               Max-Planck-Institute for Systemphysiology; Advisor – Dr. R.K.H. Kinne

Grant History

Completed

2012-2016   NIDDK        1 R15 DK091749-01A1                              PI – Kurt Amsler

                     “Src Family Kinases and Control of Epithelial Paracellular Permeability”

2003-2008   NIDDK        1-P01-DK062345-01A1

                     PPG – “Development of Novel Therapeutics for PKD”

                     Project 2 – “Signal Transduction by Polycystin-1”             PI – Kurt Amsler

2002-2004   NICHD        1-R03-HD40824-01                                    PI – Kurt Amsler

                     “ErbB3 Receptor and Renal Development”

2001-2004   accepted position in startup biotech company

2000-2001   UMDNJ Foundation

1998-1999   Charles T. Culpeper Foundation

1995-1997   American Heart Association, New Jersey Affiliate

1994-1997   American Heart Association, National Affiliate

1991-1994   American Heart Association, National Affiliate

1988-1990   Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

1988-1991   Investigatorship, American Heart Association, New York City Affiliate

1988-1990   Young Investigator Award, National Kidney Foundation

1986            Lucille P. Markey Fellowship, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory

Patents

US Patent Application #20050233461

Levinson, D, K. Amsler, and M. Peterson.  “HIGH-THROUGHPUT METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SCREENING OF COMPOUNDS TO TREAT/PREVENT KIDNEY DISORDERS”

Other Professional Activities

Reviewer – Grant Applications

1986-2000               Ad Hoc Reviewer for National Science Foundation grant applications (as                               requested basis)

1994-1996               Reviewer; Study Section A, American Heart Association, New Jersey

                                 Affiliate

1996                        Reviewer; Ad Hoc Study Section for NIH Centers of Excellence in

                                 Pediatric Nephrology and Urology

1996, 1997              Ad Hoc Reviewer for Wellcome Trust grant applications (as

                                 requested basis)

1998-2000               Reviewer; Study Section, National Kidney Foundation of New York/New

                                 Jersey

2003                        Reviewer, NIH Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1 SSS-M (57)) “Research

                                 Opportunities in Tissue Engineering”

2008-2013               Reviewer; American Heart Association, Molecular Signaling Study

 Group

Reviewer – Manuscripts

1986-present           Reviewer for manuscript submissions to multiple journals including

                                 American Journal of Physiology (Cell Physiology and Renal Physiology),

                                 Journal of Cell Biology, Journal of Cellular Physiology, Journal of

Membrane Biology, Biochimica Biophysica Acta, Journal of

Biological Chemistry, Journal of Experimental Biology and Medicine,

Biochemical Pharmacology

Thesis Committee Member

7/12                         Justin Costa, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine

                                 mentor – Basil Hanss, Ph.D.

                                 “Evidence of Nucleic Acid Transport”

7/12-12/2016           Qualifying Exam Committee Member/Thesis Committee Member, Miriam

                                 Fein, Stony Brook University/Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories

                                 Mentor – Mikala Egblad, Ph.D.

                                 “Contributions of CCR2-Expressing Host Cells To Breast Cancer

Metastasis”

Symposium Organizer

1999                        Organizer; FASEB Symposium

                                 “Asymmetric Receptor Signaling in Polarized Epithelia”

Committees

2012-2014               American Osteopathic Association, Osteopathic Research Strategic

 Plan – member

2012-2016               American Society of Nephrology, Biomedical Research Advisory

 Group – member

2013                        American Society of Nephrology, PhD Task Force, - member

2013                        American Society of Nephrology, Kidney Week Strategic Assessment

                                 Task Force – member

2015                        American Society of Nephrology, Blue Ribbon Panel on Career

 Development in Nephrology – member

2016                        American Society of Nephrology, 2nd PhD Task Force – member

2017-2019               American Society of Nephrology, Career Advancement

                                 Committee – member

2017-2020               Association of Academic Health Centers, Vice Presidents for Research,

                                 VPR meeting planning committee – member

2018-present           American Society of Nephrology Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Program

                                 Review Committee – chair

2018-present           American Society of Nephrology Kidney Tutored Research and Education

                                 for Kidney Scholars – application review sub-committee

2021-present           Association of Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY) Biosciences

 Advisory Committee

Administrative Activities

2014-2018               Spearheaded effort to establish dual DO/PhD Program at NYITCOM

-       Approved – fall, 2018 for incoming 2019 class

2009-present           Coordinates laboratory and animal facility renovation efforts

Service

NYITCOM

2010                        NYCOMEC Research Symposium (discussant)

2009-2018               NYITCOM Academic Senate – Senator

2008-2013               NYITCOM Reappointments and Promotions Committee – member

2014-present           NYITCOM Reappointments and Promotions Committee – chair

2008-present           NYITCOM Student Disciplinary Executive Committee – member

2008-2017               NYITCOM Facilities Committee – member

2008-2016               American Osteopathic Association Research Council – member

2007-present           NYITCOM Research Advisory Group – chair

2007-present           NYITCOM Summer Student Research Program – organizer

2007-present           NYITCOM Fellows/Scholars Research Program – organizer

2012-present           Advanced Research Core program – co-Director

Students and Trainees

Graduate Students (rotation/non-degree)                                                          10

Graduate Students (degree)                                                                                   9

Undergraduate Students (summer and in-term research projects)                       26

High School Students (summer)                                                                            7

Medical Students (summer intern program and volunteer)                               14

Medical Students (Fellows/Scholars Program)                                                      15

Renal Fellows                                                                                                         4

Recent Students and Trainees (previous 5 years)

Daniel Chang          Medical student (NYITCOM)                                             10/19-9/20

Christian Jakobsen Undergraduate student (Vassar)                                        6/19-8/19

Irene Qazi               Undergraduate student (Loyola Marymount Univ)            6/19-8/19

Ashley Monaco       Medical student (NYITCOM)                                             10/18-12/21

Jessica Abruzesse  Medical student (NYITCOM)                                             10/17-9/19

Rhea Sharma         Undergraduate student (NYIT)                                           10/17-1/19

Rania Muhieddine   Medical Students (NYITCOM)                                           10/17-6/18

Sahar Bilar              Medical student/M.Sc. (NYITCOM)                                   1/17-12/18

Shereen Teymour   Medical student (NYITCOM)                                             5/16-7/17

Nileena Johnkutty   Undergraduate student (NYIT)                                           2/16-6/18

Angelina Voronina  Medical student (NYITCOM)                                     9/12-6/18

Teaching Activities

Medical School

1987-1990               Medical Physiology Review Sessions – osmosis and membrane

                                 transport

1990                        Medical Physiology Small Group Leader

1991-2000               Medical Physiology – renal physiology, acid-base physiology,

                                 endocrinology, labs and small groups in all areas

2004-2007               Medical Physiology Small Group Leader

2004-2007               Cells and Molecules Small Group Leader

2012-2014               Introduction to Body Fluid and Ion Balance (5 hours)

2012-2014               Electrolyte and Acid-Base Disorders (2 hours)

2011-2014               Mechanisms of Diuretic Actions (2 hour lecture)

2012-present           Introduction to Body Fluid Balance (2 hours)

2013-present           Introduction to Membrane Transport and Bulk Transport (1 hour)

2015-present           Introduction to Acid-Base Balance (1 hour)

Physician’s Assistants Program

1991-2000               Medical Physiology – renal physiology, acid-base physiology,

                                 endocrinology

Graduate School

1993-1996               Cell and Molecular Biology Special Topics Seminar Course – Signal

                                 Transduction Mechanisms

1994-1996               Co-Organizer, Cell and Molecular Biology Core Course

1997                        Cell and Molecular Biology Special Topics Seminar Course –

                                 Extracellular Matrix and Basement Membranes

1998-2000               Molecular Pharmacology – transepithelial transport and drug delivery

1999-2000               Member, Qualifying Exam Committee; Molecular Biosciences Graduate

                                 Program

2004-2007               Graduate student journal club

2006                        Responsible Conduct in Research, Small Group Leader

2006                        Introduction to Journal Club, group leader

2007-present           Introduction to Biomedical Research – Scholars Program

Publications

Original peer-reviewed articles

1.    Amsler, K. and J.S. Cook. (1982) Development of Na+-dependent hexose transport in a cultured line of porcine kidney cells. Am. J. Physiol. 242: C94-C101. PMID:6277200

2.    Amsler, K., C. Shaffer, and J.S. Cook. (1983) Growth-dependent AIB and MeAIB uptake in LLC-PK1 cells: effects of differentiation inducers and TPA. J. Cell. Physiol. 114: 184-190. PMID:6185510

3.    Amsler, K. and J.S. Cook. (1985) Linear relationship of phlorizin-binding capacity and hexose uptake during differentiation in a clone of LLC-PK1 cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 122: 254-258. PMID:2578475

4.    Amsler, K., J.J. Donahue, C.W. Slayman, and E.A. Adelberg. (1985) Stimulation of bumetanide-sensitive K+ transport in Swiss 3T3K fibroblasts by serum and mitogenic hormones. J. Cell. Physiol. 123: 257-263. PMID:3884636

5.    Chaillet, J.R., K. Amsler, and W. Boron. (1986) Optical measurements of intracellular pH in single LLC-PK1 cells: demonstration of Cl--HCO3-  exchange. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 83: 522-526. PMID:3001738

6.    Amsler, K. and R. Kinne. (1986) Photoinactivation of sodium-potassium-chloride cotransport in LLC-PK1/Cl 4 cells by bumetanide. Am. J. Physiol. 250: C799-C806. PMID:3010731

7.    Wondergem, R. And K. Amsler. (1986) Transmembrane potentials of cultured rectal gland cells of Raja erinacea. MDIBL Bull. 26: 105-107

8.    Jans, A.W.H., K. Amsler, B. Griewel, and R.K.H. Kinne. (1987) Regulation of intracellular pH in LLC-PK1 cells: studies using 31P NMR spectroscopy. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 927: 203-212. PMID:3028491

9.    Haggerty, J.G., N. Agarwal, K. Amsler, C.W. Slayman, and E.A. Adelberg. (1987) Stimulation by serum of the Na+/H+ antiporter in quiescent pig kidney epithelial (LLC-PK1) cells and the role of the antiporter in the reinitiation of DNA synthesis. J. Cell. Physiol. 132: 173-177. PMID:3036891

10.  Amsler, K. (1988) Chloride uptake pathways into primary cultures of Squalus acanthias rectal gland epithelial cells. MDIBL Bull. 28: 42-43

11.  Amsler, K. (1990) Cyclic adenosine monophosphate modulates cell morphology and behavior of a cultured renal epithelial cell. Pediatric Nephrol. 4: 378-386.OMID:1698440

12.  Amsler, K., S. Ghatani, and B.A. Hemmings. (1991) cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulates renal epithelial cell properties. Am. J. Physiol. 260: C1290-C1299. PMID:1711777

13.  Amsler, K. (1993) Cell surface expression of DBA binding sites in LLC-PK1 cells increases at confluence and is enhanced by PKA activation. J. Cell. Physiol. 156: 469-479. PMID:7680571

14.  Amsler, K. (1993) cAMP-dependent protein kinase modulates expression and subcellular localization of Dolichos biflorus agglutinin binding sites in renal epithelial cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 52: 486-495. PMID:7693730

15.  Amsler, K. (1994) Role of cell density/cell-cell contact and growth state in expression of differentiated functions by the LLC-PK1 cell. J. Cell. Physiol. 159: 331-339. PMID:8163571

16.  Chen, J.-L. And K. Amsler. (1995) Expression of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase by renal epithelial cells occurs on a cell-by-cell basis and is inhibited by chronic TPA treatment. J. Cell. Biochem. 58: 73-82. PMID:7642725

17.  Amsler, K., J. Murray, R. Cruz, and J.-L. Chen. (1996) Chronic TPA treatment inhibits expression of proximal tubule-specific properties by LLC-PK1 cells. Am. J. Physiol. 270: C332-C340. PMID:8772461

18.  Sun, L., K. Amsler, and E.R. Weiss. (1998) Inhibition of cell differentiation by Gaq in the renal epithelial cell line, LLC-PK1. Am. J. Physiol. 274: C1030-C1039. PMID:9575800

19.  Kuwada, S.K., K.A. Lund, X.F. Li, P. Cliften, K. Amsler, L.K. Opresko, and H.S. Wiley. (1998) Differential signaling and regulation of apical versus basolateral EGF receptors in polarized epithelial cells. Am. J. Physiol. 275: C1419-C1428. PMID:9843701

20.  Amsler, K. and S.K. Kuwada. (1999) Membrane receptor location defines receptor interaction with signaling proteins in a polarized epithelium. Am. J. Physiol. 276: C91-C101. PMID:9886924

21.  Kapadia, R., P.D. Yurchenco, and K. Amsler. (1999) Binding of the renal epithelial cell, LLC-PK1, to laminin is regulated by protein kinase C. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 10: 1214-1223. OMID:10361859

22.  You, G., K. Kuze, R.A. Kohanski, K. Amsler, and S. Henderson. (2000) Regulation of mOAT-mediated organic anion transport by okadaic acid and protein kinase C in LLC-PK1 cells. J. Biol. Chem. 275: 10278-10284. PMID:10744714

23.  Li, X., H.-P. Li, K. Amsler, D. Hyink, P.D. Wilson, and C.R. Burrow. (2002) PRKX, a phylogenetically and functionally distinct cAMP-dependent protein kinase, activates renal epithelial cell migration and morphogenesis. PNAS (USA) 99: 9260-9265. PMID:12082174

24.  Qiu, L., W. Gans, D. Hyink, K. Amsler, P. Wilson, and C. Burrow. (2004) Autocrine regulation of nephrogenic mesenchymal cell survival and proliferation by midkine. Organogenesis 1: 14-21. PMID:19521555

25.  Wilson, S., K. Amsler, D.P. Hyink, X. Li, W. Lu, J. Zhou, C.R. Burrow, and P.D. Wilson. (2006) Inhibition of HER-2 (neu/ErbB2) restores normal function and structure to polycystic kidney disease (PKD) epithelia. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1762:647-655.  (epub – May 19, 2006) PMID:16797938

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925443906000809

26.  Israeli, S., K. Amsler, N. Zheleznova, and P.D. Wilson. (2010) Abnormalities in focal adhesion complex formation, regulation and function in human Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD) epithelial cells. Am. J. Physiol. 298:C831-C846. http://ajpcell.physiology.org/content/298/4/C831.long

27.  Caswell, D., S. Jaggi, J. Axis, and K. Amsler. (2013) Src Family Kinases Regulate Renal Epithelial Cell Paracellular Permeability Independent of Occludin Protein. J. Cell. Physiol. 228:1210-1220. doi: 10.1002/jcp.24274. PMID:23129414

28.  Loh, M., N. Gevitz, W. Gilliar, M. Hussain, L. Iacono, M.-K. Jung, B. Krishnamachari, K. Amsler. (2015) Effect of training on palpation skills in an osteopathic medical student population. J. Amer. Osteo. Asso. 115:32-40. doi:10.7556/jaoa.2015.005.

29.  Janosevic, D., J. Axis, R. Bacallao and K. Amsler. (2016) Occludin content modulates hydrogen peroxide-induced increase in renal epithelial cell paracellular permeability. J. Cell. Biochem. 117:769-779. doi: 10.1002/jcb.25362. PMID:26348235.

30.  Bilal S, Jaggi S, Janosevic D, Shah N, Teymour S, Voronina A, Watari J, Axis J, Amsler K. (2018) ZO-1 protein is required for hydrogen peroxide to increase MDCK cell paracellular permeability in an ERK 1/2-dependent manner. Am J Physiol:Cell Physiol  315:C422-C431. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00185.2017. PMID:29871407.

31.  Monaco A, Ovryn B, Axis J, Amsler K. (2021) The epithelial cell Leak Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 22(14):7677. doi:10.3390/ijms22147677.

32.  Monaco A, Axis J, Amsler K. (2022) Simple graphical approach to investigate differences in paracellular Leak Pathway permeability. Physiol Reports doi:10.14814/phy2.15202

33. Rana S, Nasr L, Chang D, Axis J, Amsler K. (2024) Na-caprate-induced increase in MDCK II epithelial cell leak pathway permeability and opening number is associated with disruption of basal F-actin organization. Am J Physiol: Cell Physiol 327(4):C913-C928. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00534.2023. 

Invited contributions

1. Cook, J.S., K. Amsler, E.R. Weiss, and C. Shaffer. (1982) Development of Na+-dependent hexose transport in vitro. In: Membranes in Growth and Development (Giebisch, G., Hoffman, J., and Bolis, L., eds.) Alan R. Liss, New York, pp. 551-567.

2. Weiss, E.R., K. Amsler, W.D. Dawson, and J.S. Cook. (1985) Development of Na+-dependent hexose transport in cultured renal epithelial cells. In: Membrane Transport Driven by Ion Gradients (Semenza, G., And Kinne, R., eds.) New York Academy Press, New York, Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 456: 420-425. PMID:7146012

3. Amsler, K., and Ince, B.A. (1989) Chloride uptake into high resistance MDCK cells. In: Bicarbonate, Chloride, and Proton Transport Systems (Durham, J.H., and Hardy, M.A., eds.) New York Academy Press, New York, Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 574: 104-105

Books and Book Chapters

1. Amsler, K. (1989) Sodium-coupled transport processes in cultured epithelial cells. In: Functional Epithelial Cells in Culture (Matlin, K.S., Valentich, J.D., and Satir, B.H., eds.) Alan R. Liss, New York, Modern Cell Biology 8: 193-233

Abstracts (last 5 years)

1. Bilal S, Axis J, Jaggi S, Voronina A, Amsler K. ZO-1 protein is required for H2O2-induced, ERK 1/2-dependent increase in MDCK cell paracellular permeability. American Society of Nephrology annual meeting. October 31-November 5, 2017. New Orleans, LA.

2. Bilal S, Voronina A, Axis J, Amsler K. Manipulation of actin cytoskeleton and tight junction protein knockdown differentially interact to modulate basal and H2O2-induced paracellular permeability of renal epithelial cells. EB2018 annual meeting. April 21-25, 2018. San Diego, CA.

3. Axis J, Kolb A, Bacallao R, Amsler K. Lack of correlation between paracellular permeability to large solutes and occludin protein mobility in renal epithelia. American Society of Cell Biology annual meeting. December 8-12, 2018. San Diego, CA.

4. Amsler K, Monaco A, Axis J, Ovryn B. Does the paracellular permeability pathway for large solutes, the Leak Pathway, have a size limit? American Society of Cell Biology annual meeting. December 7-11, 2019. Washington, DC.

5.    Amsler K, Axis J. ZO-2 Protein But Not ZO-1 Protein Limits Occludin Lateral Mobility in MDCK Type II Renal Epithelial Cells. EB2022 annual meeting. April 2-5, 2022. Philadelphia, PA.

6.    Monaco A, Axis J, Amsler K. ZO-1 Knockdown in MDCK Type II Cells Decreases Leak Pathway Opening Size and Increases Opening Number. EB2022 annual meeting. April 2-5, 2022. Philadelphia, PA.

Invited Seminars and Lectures (partial list)

1999 – FASEB Symposium, “Asymmetric Signaling by EGF Receptor in a Polarized Renal

         Epithelium"

2000 – Winthrop Hospital, Division of Nephrology

         Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, Division of Nephrology

2005 – Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, Division of Nephrology

         Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, Signaling Research Colloquium

2007 – Harvard Medical Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

2008 – Northeast Salt and Water Club

2011 – Northeast Salt and Water Club

2013 – AAHC Vice Presidents for Research Executive Leadership Group

Recent Publications

Bilal et al., 2018

Monaco et al., 2021

Monaco et al., 2022

Rana et al., 2024

Na-caprate-induced increase in MDCK II epithelial cell leak pathway permeability and opening number is associated with disruption of basal F-actin organization.

Rana S, Nasr L, Chang D, Axis J, Amsler K. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2024 Oct 1;327(4):C913-C928. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00534.2023. Epub 2024 Aug 19.