Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Diseases

schreiber1Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. Chronic inflammation of the blood vessel wall in conjunction with dysfunctional lipoprotein homeostasis is the underlying causes of cardiovascular disease.  Disease progression is mediated by alterations in the extracellular matrix.  While many interventional therapies exist for this class of disease, incomplete vascular repair significantly limits the effectiveness of these therapies. Specifically, migration and growth of 

vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) within the arterial intima coupled with deficient reendothelialization often leads to restenosis and/or thrombosis of treated arteries. Many approaches are being developed that aim to either inhibit SMC hyperplasia or stimulate reendothelialization. However, it has become clear that regulation of these two processes is difficult to achieve independently. Toward this end, researchers in the Department of Biochemistry have identified basic elements of the mechanisms of vascular injury and repair with a particular focus on the role of extracellular matrix synthesis and turnover.  Specific areas of interests include collagen, heparan sulfate proteoglycans, lysyl oxidase and elastin.

Additional Information at American Heart Association

Pulmonary Disease

laynelung

The lung is principally a biomechanical organ that provides a means for gas exchange to the organism. This function is dictated by the unique physical structure and mechanical properties of the lung extracellular matrix. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung fibrosis are two leading causes of death world-wide, and both classes of disease result from deficiencies in the lung extracellular matrix. Excessive injury and inflammation in the lung compromises the chemical and physical properties of the extracellular matrix leading to a cascade of inter-related deficiencies in lung function including an inability to resist normal mechanical stress, a disruption in the balance between proteases and protease inhibitors, altered growth factor and cytokine signaling, and inefficient repair of elastic and collagen fibers that act together to contribute to disease progression. Researchers in the Department of Biochemistry focus on nearly all aspects of pulmonary extracellular matrix biosynthesis including fibrosis and turnover, with an emphasis on the influence of inflammatory cytokines and growth factors, including interferon, transforming growth factor beta, vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblasts growth factors and interleukin 1.

Focus on ECM

The extracellular matrix is the protein and polysaccharide mesh that holds cells together to create complex tissues, organs and organisms. The extracellular matrix provides mechanical support and is the medium of intercellular communication. Consequently, alterations in extracellular matrix composition are associated with a wide range of human diseases. Research in the Department of Biochemistry has stemmed considerably from the pioneering studies of its faculty in extracellular matrix biochemistry; principally on collagen and elastin and the enzymes that metabolize them. As a result, several members of our faculty have and continue to participate in research programs that address basic mechanisms underlying the synthesis, degradation and regulation of matrix macromolecules that are relevant to specific disease entities, notably cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.

Faculty conducting research into these areas:

Primary teaching affiliate
of BU School of Medicine