Brian Poindexter, MSc

Research Associate
Supervisor of Fluorescence Imaging Center
Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
(713) 500 - 5285 
Imaging Lab: (713) 500 - 5260
Fax: (713) 500 - 0730

Brian.J.Poindexter@uth.tmc.edu 

Biography

Brian was honored by being named "UTH Medical School Outstanding Employee of the Month for August, 1999. His primary area of research involves second messenger systems in isolated heart cells and works with Dr. Roger Bick in various other areas of basic science research. He works with various investigators, researchers and students as supervisor of The Fluorescence Imaging Center. Brian also assists first year medical students during the fall semester in the laboratory of the Histology course.

Brian was born in 1967 on Easter Sunday in Chicago, IL to Bill and Betty Poindexter. He has one sister, 3 years younger who is married with a 6 year old boy, and lives near Huntsville, Alabama. Chicago was home until 1978 when his family moved to the heart of Cajunland, Lafayette, Louisiana. After graduating high school in 1985 he entered the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (The University of Southwestern Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns' at the time) as a biology/pre-med major. Missing the big city he transferred to Loyola University New Orleans and enrolled in the M.S./B.S. program in biological sciences. Upon receiving both his bachelor's and master's degrees simultaneously in 1992 he took a position as a research assistant in the R&D division of an upstart biotech company here in Houston that designed in situ assays for genetic testing. Great technology but poor management had Brian looking elsewhere in 1995, and that's how he came to meet Dr. Bick and Dr. Buja here in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Medical School. Brian was hired and started June 6, 1995 as a research assistant II preparing and working with isolated heart cells from neonatal rats and later adult rats, mice, dogs and humans. Currently, he is a Research Associate and the supervisor of the Fluorescence Imaging and Microscopy Lab. Brian and Dr. Bick mostly work on heart cells or tissue, but it also includes many different cells and tissue types in animals as well as humans(i.e. Skin, Kidney, Lung, Liver). Click below on "Publications" for more information.

Publications

1) Bick,R.J., Snuggs, M., Poindexter, B.J., Buja, L.M. And Van Winkle, WB. Physical and Contractile Properties of Neonatal Cardiac Myocytes Cultured on Different Matrices. Cell Adhesion and Communication. 6, 310, 1998.

2) Bick, R.J., Poindexter, B.J., Buja, L.M., Taegtmeyer, H. Radovancevic, B., Richartz, B.M., and Frazier, O.H. Isolated Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Function Before and After Left Ventricular Unloading. Cardiovascular Pathobiology.2(3-4):159-166, 1998.

3) Buja, L.M, Bick, R., Wang, D., Karoly, A., Poindexter, B., Wood, D., and McMillin, J.B. Cytokines Modulate Calcium Fluxes in Rat Cardiac Myocytes: Roles of Nitric Oxide and Cyclic Nucleotides. JMCC 30, A44. World Congress of the International Society for Heart Research. Ixia, Rhodes, 1998.

4) Bick, R. Poindexter, B., Buja, L.M., Taegtmeyer, H., Richartz, B., Radovancevic, B., and Frazier, O.H. Improved Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Function After Ventricular Unloading. JMCC, A166. World Congress of the International Society for Heart Research, 1998.

5) Bick, R.J., Wood, D.E., Poindexter, B.J., McMillin, J.B., Karoly, A., Wang, D., Bunting, R., McCann, T., Law, G.J., L. Maximilian Buja. Cytokines Increase Neonatal Cardiac Myocyte Calcium Concentrations: The Involvement of Nitric Oxide and Cyclic Nucleotides. J Interferon and Cytokine Res, (19):647-655, 1999.

6) Shan, K., Bick, R.J., Poindexter, B.J., Shimoni, S., Letsou, G.V., Reardon, M.J., Howell, J.F., Zoghbi, W.A. and Nageuth, S.F. Relation of tissue Doppler derived myocardial velocities to myocardial structure and beta-adrenergic receptor density in man. J. Amer. Coll. Cardiol., 36:891-896, 2000

7) Shan, K., Bick, R.J., Poindexter, B.J., Nageuth, S.F., Shimoni, S., Verani, M.S., Keng, F., Reardon, M.J., Letsou, G.V., Howell, J.F. and Zoghbi, W.A. Altered adrenergic receptor density in myocardial hibernation in man: Possible mechanism of depressed myocardial function. Circ., 102:2599-2606, 2000.

8) Poindexter, BJ, Smith, JR, Buja, LM, and Bick, RJ. Calcium signaling mechanisms in dedifferentiated cardiac myocytes: comparison with neonatal and adult cardiomyocytes. Cell Calcium. 30(6):373-382, 2000.

9) Poindexter, B.J., Pereira-Smith, O.M., Wadhwa, RM.., Buja, L.M. and Bick, R.J. 3-Dimensional reconstruction and localization of mortalin by deconvolution microscopy. Microscopy and Analysis, 89:21-23, 2002.

10) Milner, S.M., Poindexter, B.J., Buja, L.M., Smith, C.E. and Bick, R.J. Localization of human beta-defensins in normal and burned skin by fluorescence deconvolution microscopy. J. of Burns, 1:1-5, 2001.

11) Bick, R.J., Poindexter, B.J., Sweney, R. R, Smith, C.E. and Milner, S.M. Images: Calcium flux in the cardiomyocyte. J. of Burns, 1:6-7, 2001.

12) Linhart, H.G., Ishimura-Oka, K, DeMayo, F., Kibe, T., Repka, D., Poindexter, B., Bick, R.J. and Darlington, G.J. C/EBP? is required for differentiation of white adipose tissue, but not for brown adipose tissue. PNAS, 98(22):12532, 2001.

13) Bick, R.J., Poindexter, B.J., Buja, L.M., Grigore, A., Nussmeier, N., Radovancevic, B. and Frazier, O.H. Alterations in cardiomyocytes following left ventricular unloading. Rec. Res. Dev. Memb. Biol., 1:1-10, 2002.

14) Bick, R.J., Poindexter, B.J., Sweney, R. and Dasgupta, A. Effects of Chan Su, a traditional Chinese medicine, on the calcium transients of isolated cardiomyocytes: Cardiotoxicity due to more than Na, K-ATPase blocking. Life Sciences, 72:699-709, 2002.

15) Sheikh-Hamad, D., Bick, R., Gang, Y-W., Christensen, B. M., Razeghi, P., Poindexter, B., Taegtmeyer, H., Pdda, R., Entman, M., Neilsen, S., Youker, K. Stanniocalcin-1 is a naturally occurring L-channel inhibitor in cardiomyocytes: relevance to human heart failure. Amer. J. Physiol. (Heart and Circ.), 285:H442-448, 2003.

16) Bick, R., Poindexter, B., Tong, S., Kalis, N.N., Van der Merwe, P., Gatchel, J. and Young, D.C. Effects of IgM from rheumatic fever patients on intracellular calcium levels of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. Life Sciences, 73(16), 2101-2111, 2003.

17) Bick, RJ, Bagwell SH, Jones, CE, Poindexter, BJ, Buja, LM, Youker, K, Grigore, A, Clubb, F, Radovancevic, B and Frazier, OH. Fluorescence imaging microscopy of cellular markers in ischemic versus non-ischemic cardiomyopathy following left ventricular unloading. Accepted, J. Heart and Lung Transp, 24(4):454-461, 2004.

18) Kozar, KA, Schultz, SG, Bick, RJ, Poindexter, BJ, DeSoignie, R and Moore, FA. Enteral glutamine but not alanine, maintains small bowel barrier function after ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. Shock, 21(5):433-437, 2004.

19) Grigore, A., Poindexter, B., Vaughn, W.K., Nussmeier, N., Frazier, O.H., Cooper, J.R., Gregoric, I.D., Buja, L.M. and Bick, R.J. Alterations in Alpha Adrenoreceptor Density and Localization After Mechanical Left Ventricular Unloading With the Jarvik Flowmaker Left Ventricular Assist Device. J. Heart and Lung Transplantation. 24(5):609-613, 2005.

20) Kanellis, J., Bick, R., Garcia, G., Truong, L., Tsao, C.C., Etemadoghadam, D., Poindexter, B., Feng, L., Johnson, R.J. and Sheikh-Hamad, D. Stanniocalcin-1, an inhibitor of macrophage chemotaxis and chemokinesis. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. Feb;286(2):F356-62, 2004.

21) Bick, RJ, Poindexter, BJ, Satyanarayan, B, Buja, LM and Milner, SM. Effects of cytokines and heat shock on defensin levels of cultured keratinocytes. Burns, 30:329-333, 2004.

22) Planque, S, Bangale, Y, Song, XT, Karle, S, Taguchi, H, Poindexter, B, Bick, R, Edmundson, A, Nishiyama, Y and Paul, S. Ontogeny of proteolytic immunity: IgM serine proteases. J Biol Chem. 2;279(14):14024-32, April, 2004.

23) Bick, RJ, Poindexter, BJ, Schiess, MC. Localization of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide in cardiomyocytes: comparison of neonatal, adult and dedifferentiating cells. Peptides, 26:331-336, 2004.

24) Milner, S.M., Buja, L.M., Gulati, S., Bhat, S., Poindexter, B.J. and Bick, R.J. Expression of human ? Defensin 2 in thermal injury. Burns,30:649-654, 2004.

25) Kozar, RA, Verner-Cole, E, Schultz, SG, Sato, N, Bick, RJ, DeSoignie, R, Poindexter, BJ, Moore, FA. The immune enhancing enteral agents, arginine and glutamine, differentially modulate gut barrier function following mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion. J. Trauma, 57:1150-1156, 2004.

26) Bick RJ, Grigore AM, Poindexter BJ, Schnee PM, Nussmeier NA, Gregoric ID, Shah NA, Myers TJ, Buja LM and Frazier OH. Left Ventricular unloading with an assist device results in receptor relocalization as well as increaded beta-adrenergic receptor numbers. Are these changes indications for outcome? J Cardiac Surg., 20:1-5, 2005.

27) Schiess, MC, Poindexter, BJ, Brown, BS, Bick, RJ. The effects of CGRP on calcium transients of dedifferentiating cultured adult rat cardiomyocytes compared to non-cultured adult cardiomyocytes: possible protective and deleterious results in cardiac function. Peptides, 26:525-530, 2005.

28) Poindexter, BJ. Immunofluorescence, Deconvolution Microscopy and Image Reconstruction of Human Defensins in Normal and Burned Skin. Burns, 4(7):128, 2005.

29) Bick, RJ, Poindexter, BJ, Davis, RA, Schiess, MC. Determination of the site of action of gene-related peptide in the alteration of intracellular calcium levels in adult and neonatal rodent myocytes. Peptides, 26(11):2231-2238, 2005.

30) Poindexter, BJ, Buja, LM, Bhat, S, Milner, SM, Bick, RJ. Localization of the antimicrobial peptides human beta defensins, human neutrophil defensin, and LL-37 in normal and burned skin. Burns, 32(4), 402-407, 2006.

31) Poindexter, B.J., Allison, A.W., Bick, R.J. and Dasgupta, A. Ginseng: Cardiotonic in adult cardiomyocytes, cardiotoxic in neonatal cardiomyocytes. Life Sciences, May 2006.

32) Schnee, P.M., Shah, N., Bergheim, M., Poindexter, B.J., Buja, L.M., Myers, T.J., Radovancevic, B., Frazier, O.H., Bick, R.J. Reversal of myocyte hypertrophy by ventricular unloading; Cardiac improvement without adrenergic receptor up-regulation and re-localization. Medscape General Medicine http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/530973_print, May 2006

33) Davis, RA, van Winkle, WB, Buja, LM, Poindexter, BJ, Bick, RJ. The effect of a simple versus a complex matrix on the polarity of cardiomyocytes in culture. Journal of Burns and Wounds, June 2006.

34) Poindexter, B.J., Feng, W., Dasgupta, A., Bick, R.J. Oleandrin produces changes in intracellular calcium levels in isolated cardiomyocytes; a real-time fluorescence imaging study comparing adult to neonatal cardiomyocytes. J. Toxicol. Envir. Health, June 2006.

35) Fant, M., Barerra-Saldana, H., Dubinsky, W., Poindexter, B., Bick, R. The PLAC1 protein localizes to membranous compartments of the apical region of the syncytiothrophoblasts. In Press, Molecular Reproduction and Development, January 2007

36) Chakraborty, A., Brooks, H., Zhang, P., Smith, C., McReynolds, M., Hoying, J., Bick, R., Truong, L., Poindexter, B., Lan, H., Elbjeirami, W., Sheikh-Hamad, D. Stanniocalcin-1 regulates endothelial gene expression and modulates trans-endothelial migration of leukocytes. In Press, American Journal of Physiology; Renal, January 2007

37) Merritt, T.M., Bick, R., Poindexter, B.J. and Hecht, J.T. Unique matrix structure in the rER cisternae of pseudoachondroplasia chondrocytes. Amer. J. Pathol., 170(1), 293-300, 2007

Presentations, Posters and Abstracts:

1) B. Poindexter. Musculature of Frugivorous and Insectivorous Bats: A test of the Hydrostatic Model. Senior Research Day, Loyola University, New Orleans, LA., April 1990.

2) B. Poindexter and V. Fet. PCR amplification of Mitochondrial DNA provides molecular markers for biogeographic study of desert scorpions. 53 rd Annual Meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists. Tuscaloosa, AL. 39:2, p. 100, April, 1992.

3) B. Poindexter. Genetic Variation of Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in Scorpions as revealed by PCR Amplification and RFLP Analysis. Master’s Defense, Loyola University, New Orleans, LA, May 1992.

4) Poindexter, B., Cubbage, M., Weber, W., Ku, J., Burt, K., Bresser, J. A Rapid, Sensitive, Solution Based Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) Assay for The Detection of HIV mRNA in Infected Cell Lines by Multi-Colored Flow Cytometry. Modern Methods in Analytical Morphology, Orlando, FL, April 1994.

5) Cubbage, M., Weber, W., Poindexter, B., Burt, K., and Bresser, J. A Rapid Method for Quantitatively Determining Fetal Hemoglobin Expression Using In Situ Hybridization. Modern Methods in Analytical Morphology, Orlando, FL, April, 1994.

6) Cubbage, M., Weber, W., Poindexter, B., Ku, B., Bresser, J., Flow Cytometry Analysis of Human Lymphocytes With Two-Color Immunofluorescence and In Situ Hybridization. Modern Methods in Analytical Morphology, Orlando, FL, April, 1994.

7) Weber, W., Poindexter, B., KU, J., Burt, K., Cubbage, M., Bresser, J., Detection Of Single Copy Human Papilloma Virus 16/18 mRNA In Cultured Cervical Cell Lines Using A Rapid Sensitive Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) Assay. Modern Methods in Analytical Morphology, Orlando, FL, April 1994.

8) Poindexter, B., Cubbage, M., Weber, W.D. et. al., A Rapid Sensitive, Solution Based Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization, (FISH) Assay for the Detection of HIV mRNA in Infected Cell Lines by Multi-colored Flow Cytometry. American Society of Microbiology, Las Vegas, NV, May 1994.

9) Cubbage, M., Weber, W., Poindexter, B., et. al., Detection of Human Papilloma Virus DNA in Cervical Cell Lines By Flow Cytometer Using Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization, (FISH). American Society of Microbiology, Las Vegas, NV, May 1994.

10) Weber, W., Poindexter, B., Ku, J., Cubbage, M., Bresser, J., Detection of Human Papilloma Virus 16/18 mRNA in Cervical Cell Lines Using A Rapid, Sensitive Fluorescent In Situ American Society of Microbiology, Las Vegas, NV, May 1994.

11) Prashad, B., Weber, B., Li,Y., Poindexter, B., Rapid Identification of Fetal Nucleated Erythrocytes From Cord Blood using Simultaneous Gamma Hemoglobin mRNA Along With Chromosome Probes. European Society of Human Genetics, Paris, June 1994.

12) Hsi, B., Weber, W., Poindexter, B., Prashad, N.,Li, Y., Rapid Isolation Of Fetal Nucleated Red Blood Cells From Maternal Blood For Prenatal Diagnosis. European Society of Human Genetics, Paris, June 1994.

13) Weber, W., Prashad, N., Hsi, B., Poindexter, B., Kraynick, J., Li, Y., Ku, J., Clark, R., Non-Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis Using Fetal Nucleated Red Blood Cells Isolated From Maternal Blood. A Feasibility Study. European Society of Human Genetics, Paris, June 1994.

14) Gatchel, J., Poindexter, B., Snuggs, M., Young, D., Buja, L.M., and Bick, R. Effects of Rheumatic Fever Serum on Cardiac Myocyte Calcium Homeostasis. FASEB, New Orleans, April 1997.

15) Bick, R., Poindexter, B., Buja, L.M., Taegtmeyer, H., Richartz, B., Radovancevic, B. and Frazier, O.H. Improved sarcoplasmic reticulum function after ventricular unloading. JMCC, A166, World Congress of the Int. Soc. For Heart Res., Ixia, Rhodes, 1998.

16) Buja, L.M., Bick, R., Wang, D., Karoly, A., Poindexter, B., Wood, D. and McMillin, J.B. Cytokines modulate calcium fluxes in rat cardiac myocytes: Roles of nitric oxide and cyclic nucleotides. JMCC 30, A44, World Congress of the Int. Soc. For Heart Res., Ixia, Rhodes, 1998.

17) McDonald, G.A., Zabriskie, R.C., Janecki, A., Bick, R.J., Poindexter, B. and Pavey, B. The tumor suppressor protein VHL is required for ubiquitin dependent degradation of fibronectin. J. Amer. Soc. Neph. 12:710A, 2001.

18) Milner, S.M., Smith, C.E., Poindexter, B.J., Buja, L.M. and Bick, R.J. The localization of human B-defensin –2 in burned skin by fluorescence imaging. American Burn Soc. Meeting, Albuquerque, 2000.

19) Kozar, RA, Schultz, SG, Verner-Cole, EA, Bick, RJ, DeSoignie, R, Poindexter, BJ and Moore, FA. Enteral Arginine, an immune enhancing agent, impairs gut barrier function following mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion. Western Trauma Assoc., Steamboat Springs, J. Trauma, 56(2);463, 2003

20) Grigore A.M., Poindexter, B.J., Nussmeier, N.A., Frazier, O.H., Bick, R.J. Mechanical unloading improves adrenergic receptor density and distribution in failing human heart. Amer. Heart Assoc., Orange County, 2003.

21) Youker K., Bick, R., Poindexter, B., Entman, M., Sheikh-Hamad, D. Human heart failure relevance of the naturally occurring stanniocalcin-1 (STC1), a potent L-channel and calcium release channel blocker in cardiomyocytes. Amer. Heart Assoc. Chicago, 2002.

22) Youker K., Bick, R., Poindexter, B., Entman, M., Sheikh-Hamad, D. Stanniocalcin-I (STC1), a naturally occurring L-Channel and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium release channel blocker in cardiomyocytes- Relevance to human heart failure. Amer. Soc, Neph., 2002 J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 13:729A, 2002.

23) Grigore, A.M., Poindexter, B., Nussmeier, N., Frazier, O.H., Bick, R. Mechanical unloading improves adrenergic receptor density and distribution in failing human heart. Amer. Soc. Anesthes., Orlando, 2002.

24) Zabriskie, R.C., Bick, R., Poindexter, B., McDonald, G. The chaperone protein BiP binds to fibronectin and mediates its degradation by the proteasome. Amer. Soc. Neph., Philadelphia, 2002.

25) Bick, RJ, Gulati, S, Poindexter, BJ, Buja, ML, Bhat, S and Milner SM. The effects of cytokines and heat shock on defensin expression in cultured keratinocytes. Wound Healing Meeting, Atlanta, 2004.

26) Gulati, S, Bick, RJ, Bhat, S, Poindexter, BJ, Buja, ML and Milner SM. Expression of human ß-Defensin-2 in the skin appendages of burn wounds. Fourteenth annual meeting and exhibition of the Wound Healing Society. Wound Repair and Regeneration 2004;12:091.

27) Bhat, S, Bick, R, Poindexter, BJ, Gulati, S, Buja, M and Stephen M. Milner. Effects of cytokines and heat shock on defensin levels of cultured keratinocytes. Fourteenth annual meeting and exhibition of the Wound Healing Society. Wound Repair and Regeneration 2004;12:090.

28) Bhat, S, Bick, RJ, Gulati, S, Poindexter, BJ, Buja, LM and Stephen M. Milner. Expression of Human ?-?Defensin 2 in thermal injury. SIU Combined Research Symposium, Springfield, IL, 2004.

29) Grigore, A, Poindexter, B, Vaughan, W, Nussmeier, N, Frazier, OH, Cooper, J, Gregoric, I, Buja, LM, Bick, RJ. Alterations in alpha-receptor density and localization after left ventricular mechanical unloading with the Jarvik Flowmaker assist device. Int. Soc. Heart Res., Brisbane, JMCC 37(1) #C127, August, 2004.

30) Fant, ME, Barrerra-Saldana, H, Poindexter, B, Bick, R, Dubinsky, W. PLAC1 protein localizes to the apical region of the differentiated trophoblasts and is associated with its apical microvillus membrane surface. Ped. Acad. Sec. Meeting, 2005.

31) Bick, R, Padda, R, Poindexter, B, Youker, K, Christiansen, B, Neilsen, S, Sheikh-Hamad, D. The naturally occurring L-channel blocker Stanniocalcin-1 localizes with LTCC and IP3R1: relevance to calcium homeostasis in DCM. AHA Sessions, New Orleans, 2005.

32) Wei, F, Poindexter, BJ, Bick, RJ, Dasgupta, A. Oleandrin causes increased intracellular calcium levels in isolated adult rodent cardiomyocytes: A cell culture model for cardiotoxicity. Acad Clin Phys Sci, Pittsburgh, PA, June 2005.

33) Bhat S, Poindexter BJ, Buja, LM, Bick RJ, Milner SM. Localization of defensins, LL-37 and Human Neutrophil Peptides in normal and burned skin. Assoc for Academic Surg. San Diego, 2005.

34) Allison, A, Poindexter, BJ, Bick, RJ, Dasgupta, A. Effect of Asian, Siberian and Indian Ginsengs on calcium efflux in adult and neonatal cardiomyocytes: cardiotonic in adult myocytes but cardiotoxic in neonatal cells. Acad. Clin. Lab. Phys Sci., Chicago, 2006.

35) Bhat S, Poindexter BJ, Buja LM, Bick RJ, Milner SM. Localization of defensins, LL-37 and human neutrophil peptides in normal and burned skin. First Academic Surgical Congress San Diego, CA

36) Bhat S, Poindexter, BJ, Buja, LM, Bick, RJ, Milner SM. Perinuclear and nucleare localizations of defensins in cultured keratinocytes. Wound Healing Meeting, Scottsdale, AZ, 2006.

37) Klein, GL, Enkhbataar, P, Traber, DL, Jonkam, C, Poindexter, BJ, Buja, LM, Bick, RJ. Cardiovascular distribution of the calcium sensing receptor before and after burns. 34th European Symposium on Calcified Tissues, Copenhagen, 5-9 May, 2007, #P264-S.