Karen Ridge Lab
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ridgelabnu.bsky.social
Karen Ridge Lab
@ridgelabnu.bsky.social
89 followers 93 following 24 posts
PI: Karen M. Ridge, PhD,
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
https://labs.feinberg.northwestern.edu/ridge/
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ridgelabnu.bsky.social
Karen Ridge Lab @ridgelabnu.bsky.social · Jun 11
We proudly pursue high-impact research with the ultimate goal of improving patient care & and saving lives.

For patients & their loved ones—both now & in the future—the value of our research is incalculable.

Read about the impact of our research here: www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/sqlift...
Our Research Impact
Showcasing the ways our research and innovation at SQLIFTS impacts the world
www.feinberg.northwestern.edu
Reposted by Karen Ridge Lab
natrevimmunol.nature.com
Happy #treg day everyone - congratulations to Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, Shimon Sakaguchi and to all the immunologists who have contributed to this incredible field. See our collection: www.nature.com/collections/...
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded jointly to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi “for their discoveries ...
www.nature.com
October 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
The work that happens at Northwestern makes a difference — for today and tomorrow. In this Northwestern Magazine feature, read about a few of the innovative federally funded research projects happening at the University right now:
magazine.northwestern.edu/features/res...
Vital Research
Feinberg School of Medicine professor Jeffrey Savas has been funded by a U.S. Department of Defense grant to advance his work in hearing loss; circadian rhythm expert Fred Turek at the Weinberg Colleg...
magazine.northwestern.edu
October 3, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Reposted by Karen Ridge Lab
nucatsinstitute.bsky.social
NUCATS helps lead medical research and clinical trials. Fueled by federal funding, Feinberg research seeks to understand complex biological processes, develop treatments for various diseases & identify ways to implement evidence-based care, all with the goal of improving human health. bit.ly/4gOEOsI
The Impact of Our Research
The research taking place at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine has a profound impact on our community and beyond; explore our work in critical medical research and clinical trials.
bit.ly
October 3, 2025 at 2:04 PM
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
Introducing Global Voices in Patient-Centered Research, a new conference series highlighting how research transforms lives. Our inaugural session kicked off on Friday, July 25 with a focus on cystic fibrosis.
youtu.be/_09BjzhLwmI?...
Global Voices in Patient-Centered Research: Focus on Cystic Fibrosis
YouTube video by Northwestern Univ. Feinberg School of Medicine
youtu.be
August 21, 2025 at 7:49 PM
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
"Research Saved My Life" When Toddie Hays decided to participate in a nationwide genetics study, she had no idea about the life-changing information hiding in her DNA.
www.nucats.northwestern.edu/about/news/2...
‘Research Saved My Life’
When Toddie Hays decided to participate in nationwide genetics study, she had no idea about the life-changing information hiding in her DNA.
www.nucats.northwestern.edu
August 5, 2025 at 7:12 PM
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
We'd like to share some new content on Our Research Impact at Simpson Querrey Lung Institute for Translational Sciences (SQLIFTS), now featuring Global Voices in Patient-Centered Research with a focus on cystic fibrosis: www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/sqlift...
Our Research Impact
Showcasing the ways our research and innovation at SQLIFTS impacts the world
www.feinberg.northwestern.edu
August 4, 2025 at 3:01 PM
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
Happy #MicroscopyMonday! May your samples today be as happy to see you as you are to see them!
a bit of tissue from a colon sample with H&E stain making a smiley face
July 14, 2025 at 4:13 PM
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
Feinberg leads medical research and clinical trials, fueled by federal funding. Our research has a profound impact on our community and beyond.

We invite you to learn more about the impact of our research here: www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/research/abo...
The Impact of Our Research
The research taking place at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine has a profound impact on our community and beyond; explore our work in critical medical research and clinical trials.
www.feinberg.northwestern.edu
July 10, 2025 at 8:07 PM
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
All across Northwestern, groundbreaking research and scholarship happen daily. Our researchers look to cure disease, tackle tough questions and improve lives. Explore recent research that highlights Northwestern's research impact and learn why research matters: www.northwestern.edu/research-nu/...
A person with a lab coat, safety glasses, and purple nitrile gloves holds a petri dish
June 27, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Reposted by Karen Ridge Lab
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
We proudly pursue high-impact research with the ultimate goal of improving patient care & and saving lives.

For patients & their loved ones—both now & in the future—the value of our research is incalculable.

Read about the impact of our research here: www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/sqlift...
Our Research Impact
Showcasing the ways our research and innovation at SQLIFTS impacts the world
www.feinberg.northwestern.edu
June 11, 2025 at 5:37 PM
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
We proudly pursue high-impact research with the ultimate goal of improving patient care & and saving lives.

For patients & their loved ones—both now & in the future—the value of our research is incalculable.

Read about the impact of our research here: www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/sqlift...
Our Research Impact
Showcasing the ways our research and innovation at SQLIFTS impacts the world
www.feinberg.northwestern.edu
June 11, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Reposted by Karen Ridge Lab
seetz.bsky.social
"The delays have stifled research on drug discovery, blood vessel health and injury response. In some cases, scientists have cut staff, paused hiring, trimmed back supplies or delayed experiments. Health officials have not explained which projects have been held up, why or for how long."
The Gutting of America’s Medical Research: Here Is Every Canceled or Delayed N.I.H. Grant
Some cuts have been starkly visible, but the country’s medical grant-making machinery has also radically transformed outside the public eye.
www.nytimes.com
June 10, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Reposted by Karen Ridge Lab
catgaohow.bsky.social
Northwestern has not received any NIH funds since March. No written communication about why or what can be done. Thank you Ben Singer for raising awareness at #ATS2025
May 18, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Reposted by Karen Ridge Lab
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
We're proud to contribute to Northwestern's research impact!

Learn more about other recent discoveries at Northwestern that are improving lives every day: www.northwestern.edu/research-nu/...
Research Impact : Northwestern University
www.northwestern.edu
April 17, 2025 at 1:51 AM
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
It's been nice to see the tulips blooming on campus
Some late blooming pink and white tulips in front of a sign that says "Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine"
May 6, 2025 at 4:33 PM
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
Nice to see both you and vimentin in the news this morning!
news.feinberg.northwestern.edu/2025/04/28/u...
April 30, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Reposted by Karen Ridge Lab
nuresearch.bsky.social
Northwestern research has a huge beneficial impact on society--advancing health and solving real problems. tinyurl.com/3wrtm6n4 #northwestern #research #innovation #funding
April 16, 2025 at 9:13 PM
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
Happy #FluorescenceFriday! Please enjoy this mouse lung.
April 25, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Reposted by Karen Ridge Lab
kristiholmes.bsky.social
Inspired by and grateful for our dedicated faculty, staff, & students! Life-saving clinical trials revolutionize patient care, transforming medicine and training the physicians who will deliver it. 💜

NU research impact stories: www.northwestern.edu/research-nu/...

@nufeinbergmed.bsky.social
April 24, 2025 at 9:53 PM
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
We're proud to contribute to Northwestern's research impact!

Learn more about other recent discoveries at Northwestern that are improving lives every day: www.northwestern.edu/research-nu/...
Research Impact : Northwestern University
www.northwestern.edu
April 17, 2025 at 1:51 AM
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
When you have a nice hat and someone mentions it and you feel nice #MicroscopyMonday

Read our paper in Cell Reports: Ma et al. 2024, Vimentin modulates regulatory T cell receptor-ligand interactions at distal pole complex, leading to dysregulated host response to viral pneumonia, bit.ly/3FiW5vH
Treg cell with the nucleus stained blue and vimentin immunolabeled in green. The vimentin filaments are bundled together in the distal pole complex, a caplike structure that forms opposite the immune synapse and is shown here looking like a nice little hat at a jaunty angle.
March 31, 2025 at 3:52 PM
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
Happy #MicroscopyMonday! From Fig 2G of our Cell Reports paper (bit.ly/3FiW5vH), wild-type mice (left) & mice with conditional vimentin knockout in Tregs (right) were infected with a sublethal dose of influenza virus; on day 21 lungs from cKO mice had less keratin 5 (green) & more Foxp3+ Tregs (red)
March 10, 2025 at 5:56 PM
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
Please enjoy a cellular eclipse
December 30, 2024 at 12:20 AM
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
Happy Holidays from the Ridge Lab!
Cancer cell with immunolabeling for vimentin in green and a red clipart bow
December 20, 2024 at 5:24 PM
ridgelabnu.bsky.social
Just published in Cell Reports is our latest paper!

Vimentin modulates regulatory T cell receptor-ligand interactions at distal pole complex, leading to dysregulated host response to viral pneumonia
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
Graphical abstract. Summary: Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) resolve acute inflammation and repair the injured lung after viral pneumonia. Vimentin is a critical protein in the distal pole complex (DPC) of Tregs. This study reveals the inhibitory effect of vimentin on the suppressive and reparative capacity of Tregs. Treg-specific deletion of vimentin increases Helios+interleukin-18 receptor (IL-18R)+ Tregs, suppresses inflammatory immune cells, and enhances tissue repair, protecting Vimfl/flFoxp3YFP-cre mice from influenza-induced lung injury and mortality. Mechanistically, vimentin suppresses the induction of amphiregulin, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligand necessary for tissue repair, by sequestering IL-18R to the DPC and restricting receptor-ligand interactions. We propose that vimentin in the DPC of Tregs functions as a molecular switch, which could be targeted to regulate the immune response and enhance tissue repair in patients with severe viral pneumonia.
December 13, 2024 at 7:45 PM