Cardiovascular Medicine
Vascular Biology Research Section
The Vascular Biology laboratory is investigating: 1) cellular and
molecular basis of cardiac actions of adenosine in cardiomyocytes,
vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells; 2) pro- and
anti-arrhythmic properties of adenosine; 3) the development of
pharmacological probes to study adenosine receptors and development
of adenosine-related drugs for therapeutic use.
In the Vascular Biology laboratories, ongoing studies relate to the
investigation of a variety of thrombolytic agents including
plasminogen analogs, tPA mutants and thrombin inhibitors to prevent
coronary artery reocclusion, the mechanism and modulation of
"reperfusion injury" following coronary artery occlusion and the
role of platelets in "reperfusion injury". The current focus of
research in the basic research laboratory is on the molecular
biology of lipoprotein-mediated alterations in cell-cell (platelets,
endothelium and leukocytes) interactions and L-arginine-nitric oxide
pathway. Other studies relate to the mechanisms of formation of
leukocyte-platelet conjugates in acute myocardial ischemia and
during coronary angioplasty. Other studies are focused on modulation
of renin-angiotensin system in atherosclerosis and myocardial
ischemia. These studies are being conducted in rats, rabbits, dogs,
and in cultured cells.
Faculty
- Alexandra R. Lucas, M.D.
- Wilmer W. Nichols, Ph.D
- Daniel Pauly, M.D., Ph.D.