Mario C. Rico, MD, is an Associate Scientist at Temple University School of Medicine (TUSM) whose career goal is to become an Independent Investigator. Dr. Rico completed his Post-Doctoral Fellowship in bone research and for the last three years has been expanding his experience in the area of thrombosis and hemostasis. Currently he is studying the molecular mechanisms responsible for the increased cardiovascular risk observed in autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The proposed Mentored Career Development Award (K01) will provide the required support to make possible Dr. Rico's successful career in translational medicine in hematological research. Drs. Kunapuli and DeLa Cadena, Professors at TUSM, will mentor the PI. They are well-recognized trainers and established investigators who will guide Dr. Rico's career development. The proposed training plan includes activities to improve the candidate's knowledge and experience in translational medicine in the area of thrombosis and hemostasis. There is generous institutional support to offer him a unique atmosphere to establish a scientific foundation to accomplish his goals. Dr. Rico's long-term research objective is to study the hematologic changes associated with chronic inflammation in autoimmune diseases and other human conditions that are associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. The alpha granules of platelets contain thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) and transforming growth factor beta (TGFb), which are anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory molecules, respectively. Paradoxically, excess secretion of these molecules, both systemically and locally in the joint tissue, seems to aggravate the inflammatory process in RA. TSP1 promotes the assembly of the prothrombinase complex on cell surfaces with subsequent generation of serine proteases. Therefore, we propose that high levels of TSP1 in plasma and synovial fluid are responsible in part for the inflammatory changes observed in RA through promotion of assembly of the prothrombinase complex and activation of the TGFb pathway follow by upregulation of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). CTGF may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in RA patients. We will investigate the role of a novel pro-inflammatory axis comprised of TSP1, TGFb and CTGF in RA and the contribution provided by platelets, leukocytes and synoviocytes for the axis to be assembled.
The aims of the research project are to study the platelet- leukocyte interactions in inflammation resulting in TSP1 and TGFb platelet release and to delineate signaling pathways that leads to CTGF upregulation and expression in leukocytes and synoviocytes. These pathways will be assessed as well in an animal model of erosive arthritis and in samples collected from RA patients.

Public Health Relevance

Chronic diseases affect the quality of life for 133 million Americans and are responsible for seven out of every ten deaths in the U.S.- killing more than 1.7 million Americans every year. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease that affects more than 2 million adults in the United States. This project will investigate the molecular mechanisms related with the increase risk of cardiovascular events in patients afflicted with RA.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
5K01HL103197-03
Application #
8266531
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHL1-CSR-H (M1))
Program Officer
Meadows, Tawanna
Project Start
2010-08-01
Project End
2015-05-31
Budget Start
2012-06-01
Budget End
2013-05-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$140,130
Indirect Cost
$10,380
Name
Temple University
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
057123192
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19122
Liverani, Elisabetta; Rico, Mario C; Tsygankov, Alexander Y et al. (2016) P2Y12 Receptor Modulates Sepsis-Induced Inflammation. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 36:961-71
Igbre, Ann O; Rico, Mario C; Garg, Sunir J (2014) High-speed optical coherence tomography as a reliable adjuvant tool to grade ocular anterior chamber inflammation. Retina 34:504-8
Liverani, Elisabetta; Rico, Mario C; Yaratha, Laxmikausthubha et al. (2014) LPS-induced systemic inflammation is more severe in P2Y12 null mice. J Leukoc Biol 95:313-23
Liverani, Elisabetta; Rico, Mario C; Garcia, Analia E et al. (2013) Prasugrel metabolites inhibit neutrophil functions. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 344:231-43
Garcia, Analia E; Rico, Mario C; Liverani, Elisabetta et al. (2013) Erosive arthritis and hepatic granuloma formation induced by peptidoglycan polysaccharide in rats is aggravated by prasugrel treatment. PLoS One 8:e69093
Abdelmagid, Samir M; Barr, Ann E; Rico, Mario et al. (2012) Performance of repetitive tasks induces decreased grip strength and increased fibrogenic proteins in skeletal muscle: role of force and inflammation. PLoS One 7:e38359
Bynagari-Settipalli, Yamini S; Lakhani, Parth; Jin, Jianguo et al. (2012) Protein kinase C isoform ? negatively regulates ADP-induced calcium mobilization and thromboxane generation in platelets. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 32:1211-9
Rico, Mario C; Rough, James J; Manns, Joanne M et al. (2012) Assembly of the prothrombinase complex on the surface of human foreskin fibroblasts: Implications for connective tissue growth factor. Thromb Res 129:801-6
Garcia, Analia E; Mada, Sripal R; Rico, Mario C et al. (2011) Clopidogrel, a P2Y12 receptor antagonist, potentiates the inflammatory response in a rat model of peptidoglycan polysaccharide-induced arthritis. PLoS One 6:e26035
Viera, Elys; Colon, Dayan; Alonso, Yadira et al. (2011) Improving patient provider communication for Latinos at Temple University Hospital and Temple University School of Medicine. J Health Care Poor Underserved 22:1144-50

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