Cardiovascular Pathophysiology Research

Detailed and comprehensive study at the molecular, cellular and pathophysiological levels are crucial to improving diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease in children, and quite possibly hold the key to prevention in adults. Investigators seeks to identify mechanisms and risk factors associated with initiation and/or progression of cardiovascular disease in children, define differences and similarities between pediatric and adult disease mechanisms, and ultimately optimize therapies and strategies for prevention of heart disease.

Active collaborative projects with The Ohio State University include examination of the role of oxidants and mitochondria in sepsis-related cardiac failure, vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) transcript variation and angiogenesis, mechanisms of HIV-related cardiomyopathy and molecular approaches for antioxidant protection.

Cardiovascular Pathophysiology Research Faculty

Maqsood Chotani, PhD
Chetan Hans, PhD
Pamela A. Lucchesi, PhD
Loren E. Wold, PhD, FAHA

Latest Findings in Cardiovascular Pathophysiology Research

Investigating the Role of C-Reactive Protein in Development of Heart Diseases

Elevated plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) is a biomarker of cardiovascular diseases, but its potential roles as a participant of the disease process are not well defined. This study investigated the direct effects of CRP on human endothelial cells. Findings provide evidence supporting myocardial CRP as a locally produced inflammatory marker.

Access an abstract of this study: Increased myocardial prevalence of C-reactive protein in human coronary heart disease: direct effects on microvessel density and endothelial cell survival. Cardiovasc Pathol. 2012 Jan 27. [Epub ahead of print]

Examining the Role of the MKP1 Pathway in Cardiac Dysfunction During Endotoxemia

Myocardial tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression induces cardiac dysfunction in endotoxemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the MKP1 pathway in myocardial TNF-α expression and cardiac function during endotoxemia.

Access an abstract of this study: Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 inhibits myocardial TNF-α expression and improves cardiac function during endotoxemia. Cardiovasc Res. 2012 Jan 12. [Epub ahead of print]

Direct and Indirect Effects of Particulate Matter on the Heart

Exposure to particulate matter causes a variety of responses on the cardiovascular system through both direct and indirect pathways. In this review, the authors present key evidence in both the direct and indirect pathways, suggest clinical applications of the current literature, and recommend directions for future research.

Access an abstract of this study: Direct and indirect effects of PM on the cardiovascular system. Toxicol Lett. 2011 Nov 18. [Epub ahead of print]

Systolic Dysfunction May Indicate Whether the Heart Can Properly Remodel Itself After Surgery to Correct Hemodynamic Overload
Even after surgery to correct volume overload-induced heart failure, left ventricular recovery varies between patients, despite the fact that the geometry of the left ventricle has been corrected.  This study suggests that mild to moderate left ventricular systolic dysfunction may be an important indicator of the ability of the myocardium to remodel following the reversal of hemodynamic overload.

Access an abstract of this study: Temporal pattern of left ventricular structural and functional remodeling following reversal of volume overload heart failure. J Appl Physiol. 2011 Sep 1. [Epub ahead of print]

Current Cardiovascular Pathophysiology Research Grants

Measuring Diabetic Blood Vessel Mechanical Properties Using Atomic Force Microscopy, The Ohio State University (Pam Lucchesi)

Ang II, RAGE and Oxidative Stress in Type II Diabetic Coronary Artery Remodeling, National Institutes of Health (Pam Lucchesi, 6/2/14 – 6/1/15) $435,745

Molecular Alterations in Ventricular Septal Defect, Heart Center Intramural Funding Award Tissue banking for congenital heart disease samples, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation (Loren E. Wold, PhD)

Ultrafine particle-induced heart dysfunction, American Heart Association (Loren E. Wold, PhD)

AngII, RAGE and oxidative stress in type II diabetic coronary artery remodeling, National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (Pamela A. Lucchesi, PhD)

Training in Congenital and Acquired Heart Disease, National Institutes of Heath (Pamela A. Lucchesi, PhD)

Of Note in Cardiovascular Pathophysiology Research

Abstract from Specialty Conference Selected for American Heart Association Presentation

Faculty members in the Center for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research, The Heart Center and The Ohio State University presented an abstract at the American Heart Association Basic Cardiovascular Sciences conference, which was selected to be re-presented at the 2010 American Heart Association conference.

The abstract “Subclinical Right Ventricular Remodeling in Restrictive Ventricular Septal Defect” was considered among the specialty conference’s top 10 percent of the accepted abstracts.

Dr. Wold Selected as Executive Editor of Life Sciences

Loren E. Wold, PhD, FAHA, principal investigator in the Center for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research, has been selected to serve as executive editor of Life Sciences. He will also continue to act as reviews edidtor, handling all invited reviews and special issues for the journal. Life Sciences is an international journal, publishing articles that emphasize the molecular, cellular, and functional basis of therapy.