Warren Nothnick, PhD, HCLD

Dr. Warren B. Nothnick is a Professor and Vice-Chairman of Cell Biology and Physiology. He also serves as the director for the Center of Reproductive Sciences and Scientific Advisor for the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources at the Kansas University Medical Center. Dr. Nothnick received his undergraduate training at the Ohio State University with a BS in Animal Science and a MS in Dairy Science with emphasis on Reproductive Physiology. Dr. Nothnick received his doctoral degree in Physiology from the University of Kentucky School of Medicine followed by a post-doctoral position at the same institution in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The uterus is a vital organ for the successful propagation of all higher species. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the development and subsequent function of the uterus is absolutely essential for successful reproduction to occur. It is well established that complex interactions among biological mediators dictate the normal pattern of uterine development and that disruption of these factors plays a causative role in uterine abnormalities, disease and infertility. Our research focuses on uterine diseases including endometriosis, adenomyosis and endometrial cancer. Specially, we are interested in deciphering the role of non-coding RNAs (both microRNAs and long, non-coding RNAs) in the pathophysiology of these diseases as well as exploring altered steroid responsiveness. Specific focus is on the roles of cyclin A2 (CCNA2) and RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor (REST). To achieve our research objectives, we utilize a combination of human tissues and cells as well as genetically-modified mouse models. Our collaborators including leading experts in the field of endometriosis and adenomyosis from the Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic and Yale University School of Medicine as well as experts within the University of Kansas Medical Center. Collectively, the research in the Nothnick laboratory focuses on examining the mechanisms which regulate normal uterine development and function, identifying those factors which contribute to these mechanisms and understanding how alterations in these mechanisms lead to uterine diseases and conditions. The long-term goal of our research is to better our understanding of the pathophysiology of these uterine diseases and in turn develop novel diagnostic/prognostic markers and therapeutic agents for their treatment.

Concurrent immunohistochemical localization and Western blot analysis of the MIF receptor, CD74, in paraffin-embedded tissue

Human endometriotic lesion expression of the miR-144-3p/miR-451a cluster, its correlation with markers of cell survival and origin of lesion content

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor receptor, CD74, is over-expressed in human and baboon (Papio Anubis) endometriotic lesions and modulates endometriotic epithelial cell survival and interleukin-8 expression.

Matrix metalloproteinases and endometriosis pathophysiology

The role of REST in endometriosis-associated progesterone resistance