Application requirements
In order to apply for a research or a pilot project, please submit the following documents, using PHS398 forms and instructions:
Document required | Research project | Pilot project |
Project Summary and Project Relevance (Page 2 form PHS398) | x | x |
Research Strategy | x | x |
Biographical Sketch | x | x |
Updated other support | x | |
Detailed Budget with justification | x | |
IACUC approval and Vertebrate Animal Section (if applicable) | x | x |
Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information Form, IRB approval (if applicable) | x | x |
COBRE PROJECT LEADERS
COBRE PROJECTS
Current
Mohammad A. N. Bhuiyan, PhD
"Redox, Environmental, and MEtabolomics: investigating Disease Yield (REMEDY)"
The impact of exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on oxidative balance, is key element of redox biology. By examining oxidative damage biomarkers, the study explores the redox imbalance caused by substance use disorder (SUD) and its contribution to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This focus on redox processes highlights the potential for identifying new biomarkers and therapeutic targets related to oxidative stress in the context of VOC exposure and SUD.
Diana Cruz-Topete, PhD
"Stress Exacerbates Myocardial Ischemic Injury by Blocking Estrogen's Antioxidant Protection in the Female Heart"
The major goal of this project is to test the hypothesis that stress, acting via GR inhibition of ERa regulation of the p21-Nrf2 pathway, increases oxidative stress that exacerbates I/R injury in female hearts.
Gopi Kolluru, PhD
"CSE and Hydrogen Sulfide Role in Aging Vasculature"
Aging is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Altered molecular signaling in age-related markers leads to increased ROS, ER stress, autophagy defects, endothelial dysfunction and subsequently, impaired vascular remodeling. However, the regulatory mechanisms, and the role of CSE/H2S signaling in vascular remodeling and associated functions in aging are unknown. The current proposal will reveal novel information regarding CSE/H2S regulation on endothelial function and aging vasculature by investigating the hypothesis that endothelial-cell CSE deficiency in aging, and subsequently reduced H2S/NO bioavailability impairs vascular remodeling. This hypothesis will be examined by two specific aims that 1. identify the molecular mechanisms of reduced CSE/H2S deficiency in aging and 2. determine reduced endothelial CSE/H2S effects on age-associated vascular dysfunction. The goal of this proposal is to generate preliminary data towards at least two high impact peer-reviewed manuscripts and submit my R01 by the end of 2022.
Tarek Magdy Mohamed, PharmB, PhD
"Racial Disparities in Doxorubicin-induced Cardiotoxicity"
The major goal of this project is to investigate the role of long no-coding RNA, EPHA2-AS1 in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and its racial disparities.
Currently, we are working on recruiting cancer patients required for this project and generating patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
We are working on generating an EPHA2-AS1 over-expressing and knock-out iPSC line to further investigate the effect of EPHA2-AS1 altered expression in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.
Past Pilot Projects
Past Pilot Projects
Diana Cruz-Topete, PhD
"Redox State and Sex Differences in Cardiac miR-34a Expression"
Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Growing experimental evidence has demonstrated that microRNA (miRNA) regulation of gene expression after MI determines the progression to heart failure by triggering pathways involved in cardiac cell death and regeneration. In this project, we aim to investigate the sex-specific effects of imbalances in the redox environment (low levels of the primary antioxidant glutathione (GSH)) on miR-34a expression and regulation of the cardioprotective Sirt1 downstream signaling in MI. miR-34a was selected for this study due to its role in regulating cell death and its high expression levels in the heart during cardiac stress. Our goals are 1) to investigate the effects of low GSH on miR-34a levels and its downstream signaling in MI, and 2) to test if the mechanisms controlling these effects are dependent on the sex hormones estrogen (E2) and testosterone (T). We anticipate that our findings will uncover critical differences in how the interplay between sex hormones and the reductive and oxidant cellular environment drive the expression of miR-34a and its deleterious downstream effects in the heart following a heart attack.
Gopi Kolluru, PhD
"CSE and Hydrogen Sulfide Role in Aging Vasculature"
Aging is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Altered molecular signaling in age-related markers leads to increased ROS, ER stress, autophagy defects, endothelial dysfunction and subsequently, impaired vascular remodeling. However, the regulatory mechanisms, and the role of CSE/H2S signaling in vascular remodeling and associated functions in aging are unknown. The current proposal will reveal novel information regarding CSE/H2S regulation on endothelial function and aging vasculature by investigating the hypothesis that endothelial-cell CSE deficiency in aging, and subsequently reduced H2S/NO bioavailability impairs vascular remodeling. This hypothesis will be examined by two specific aims that 1. identify the molecular mechanisms of reduced CSE/H2S deficiency in aging and 2. determine reduced endothelial CSE/H2S effects on age-associated vascular dysfunction. The goal of this proposal is to generate preliminary data towards at least two high impact peer-reviewed manuscripts and submit my R01 by the end of 2022.
Kevin Murnane, PhD
“Elucidating the Role of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Methamphetamine-Induced Neurovascular Damage”
Alok Khandelwal, PhD
“Targeting CXCL 17 (C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 17) in Atherosclerosis”
Graduated COBRE Projects
Graduated COBRE Projects
Mabruka Alfaidi, MD, PhD
"Nck1 in Cerebral Ischemia Reperfusion Injury"
Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Thrombus removal is the only current therapy to restore cerebral blood flow. However, the restoration of cerebral perfusion can itself trigger oxidative stress pathways that eventually lead to brain edema and neuro-inflammation, raising the need to find new neuroprotective strategies. Nck1 gene is associated with ischemic stroke’s risk, and a large GWA study has identified Nck1 as a novel gene in ischemic heart disease patients. However, how Nck1 contributes to the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke is largely unknown. The major goals of this grant is to test the hypothesis that endothelial Nck1 promotes endogenous ROS and critically mediates oxidative stress-induced neuro-inflammation and BBB permeability to promote the ischemia/reperfusion injury in ischemic stroke.
Dr. Mabruka Alfaidi “graduated” and completed her project. Dr. Alfaidi received major independent funding (Project Number 1R01HL172846-01, Title: IL-1R1 in Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Activation).
Christopher Pattillo, PhD
“Cellular Reductive State Regulates Arteriogenesis”
The gradual occlusion of blood vessels such as that reported in peripheral artery disease is increasing in frequency, due to a variety of risk factors including several cardiovascular pathologies such as diabetes, obesity, etc. This project addresses the novel relationship between the antioxidant glutathione, its oxidized form (GSSG) and the protein modifications (glutathionylation) that influence the progression of arteriogenesis following the occlusion of conduit arteries. The proposed research will uncover the underlying mechanisms by which levels of glutathione and corresponding protein modification can be manipulated to enhance the progression of arteriogenesis following ischemic insult; providing potential avenues to the development of novel vascular therapeutics.
David Krzywanski, PhD
“Nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase regulates redox balance in atherosclerosis.”
Atherosclerosis is one of the leading causes of mortality in the United States. Effective therapeutic options for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis are focused on lowering circulating lipids. However, reactive oxygen species have been shown to play a critical role in atherosclerotic plaque development, yet clinical trials utilizing antioxidant therapies have been unsuccessful. We propose that nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (NNT) significantly impacts the development of atherosclerosis by regulating mitochondrial ROS production and preserving normal endothelial cell function. Our proposed studies will be the first to investigate how NNT expression and activity are impacted by atherosclerosis in human cells and specifically how endothelial NNT contributes to the regulation of plaque development. Results from these studies will highlight the potential of NNT as a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Paari Dominic, MD, PhD
"Role Of Hydrogen Sulfide And Oxidative Stress In Methamphetamine-Induced Cardiac Arrhythmias"
Cardiovascular disease represents one of the most common causes of death among methamphetamine users. Methamphetamine use is associated with sudden cardiac death, but no study to date has systematically investigated the causal relationship between methamphetamine use and sudden cardiac death. Our lab has shown that infusion of methamphetamine in mice increases the incidence of inducible atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, suggesting that methamphetamine acutely impacts cardiac electrophysiology. Using a novel rodent model, this project is uniquely positioned to make a significant contribution to the understanding of methamphetamine-associated cardiomyopathy and cardiac arrhythmias. Preliminary data from our lab show that ‘binge and crash’ infusion of methamphetamine in mice causes both electrical and structural remodeling of the heart and contribute to the increase in cardiac arrhythmias. Our lab is also investigating the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gasotransmitter abundant in the cardiovascular system, (playing an essential role in maintaining the redox balance of the heart) in methamphetamine induced oxidative stress as a precursor of pro-arrhythmic substrate in the heart.
Sumitra Miriyala, PhD
“AIFM2: A novel mediator of heart failure development and progression”
Accumulated evidence indicates that oxidative stress in mitochondria plays a vital role in cardiac injury, but how mitochondrial redox mechanisms are involved in cardiac dysfunction remains unclear. A highly toxic aldehyde formed by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) through lipid peroxidation following myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. HNE mediates necrosis, apoptosis, and autophagy within the area rendered ischemic over the first 6 to 24 hours. Several lines of evidence suggest that apoptosis-inducing factor mitochondrion-associated protein (AIFm2), a p53 target gene, a redox-responsive protein that resides in mitochondria and plays a central role in the caspase-independent cell death pathway. We have demonstrated that HNE adduction of AIFm2 shifts the function of AIFm2 from an NADH oxidoreductase to a pro-apoptotic protein. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in AIFm2 translocation that mediates cardiac injury remain unknown. In this application, we present the first evidence that HNE upregulation following cardiac I/R injury activates the translocation of AIFm2 from the mitochondria to the nucleus. Our preliminary data using Tandem mass spectrometric analysis (MS/MS) of the native and oxidatively modified AIFm2 suggest that His174 and Cys 187 are the potential targets for HNE-mediated translocation. Therefore, we hypothesize that HNE adduction to AIFm2 mediates mitochondrial stress signaling through translocation of AIFm2 from mitochondria to the nucleus and contributes to the pathogenesis of heart failure following I/R injury. To address this hypothesis, we propose the following aims. Specific Aim #1: Determine the binding motif that mediates the translocation of AIFm2 from mitochondria following oxidative stress. Specific Aim # 2: Determine the cytosolic transport protein involved in the translocation of the HNE-adducted AIFm2 complex from the cytosol to the nucleus following cardiac injury. These studies will not only extend our understanding of the fundamental mechanism by which these protein adducts are regulated in the myocardium but will also provide a solid rationale towards the specific putative binding sites available on AIFm2 in regulating NADH oxidoreductase activity during I/R injury-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress.
Hugh Nam, PhD
“Neurogranin Regulation in Cardiovascular Disease”
The goal of this project is to study the role of neurogranin in regulating peripheral nitric oxide and cardiac function. We will characterize for the first time how the neurogranin pathway in the endothelium could regulate the nitric oxide production and cardiovascular function.
Manikandan Panchatcharam, PhD
“Oxidative Stress Mediated Myocardial Lipid Dysfunction”
Acute myocardial infarction and the resulting ischemic heart disease are the single most prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality in the western world. While the bioactive glycerophospholipid lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) plays a well-known role in atherosclerotic disease, its role in myocardial function remains virtually unexplored. Following acute myocardial infarction, serum LPA concentration rises by six-fold over control subjects, suggesting LPA may contribute to the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction. Our preliminary data demonstrate that enhanced cardiac LPA signaling in vivo is due to lack of cardiac lipid phosphate phosphatase-3 (LPP3; an enzyme that breaks down LPA) which leads to severe mitochondrial dysfunction and increased mortality due to myocardial dysfunction. However, the mechanisms regulating LPA signaling in the myocardium remain unknown. LPA production involves hydrolysis of lysophosphatidylcholine by the secreted enzyme autotaxin. In contrast, LPP3 catalyzes LPA dephosphorylation to generate lipid products that are not receptor active. The steady-state of local and circulating LPA is balanced between these opposing pathways of LPA synthesis and degradation. In this application, we present the first evidence that cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury enhances myocardial autotaxin levels and decreases myocardial LPP3 expression, leading to increased serum LPA levels. This data represents the first description of autotaxin and LPP3 regulation in I/R injury in any model system to date. Excess generation of reactive oxygen species plays a significant role in the cellular response to I/R injury, affecting the cell viability and altering the expression of a variety of genes which contribute to the cellular response to I/R. Upon reperfusion, reactive oxygen species production arises as a burst of superoxide from mitochondria, as has been corroborated in a range of tissues and types of I/R injury. Data from our laboratory and others have shown that blocking mitochondrial superoxide reduces complications of post-myocardial infarction. Thus, we hypothesize that I/R injury alters autotaxin and LPP3 expression through mitochondrial superoxide production to drive LPA signaling and cardiomyocyte dysfunction. To address this hypothesis, we propose the following aims. Specific aim 1 will assess the role of myocardial superoxide production in autotaxin expression and LPA production in I/R injury metabolism. Specific aim 2 will determine the role of mitochondrial superoxide production in LPP3 depletion and LPA production in I/R injury. We could identify whether modulation of cellular versus mitochondrial antioxidant status confers a differential protective effect in I/R injury models. These studies will not only extend our understanding of the fundamental mechanism by which oxidative stress regulates cardiac lipid signaling but also identify novel targets for future clinical interventions.