This proposal describes a 5-year training program for the development of an academic investigative career in Molecular Cardiology. The principal investigator completed post-doctoral training in Cardiovascular Medicine with subspecialization in Interventional Cardiology and Heart Failure/Cardiac Transplantation at Johns Hopkins University. This program will elucidate the role of endoglin, a co-receptor for the cytokine transforming growth factor-beta (TGFb), in cardiac fibrosis. Michael E. Mendelsohn MD, will mentor the principal investigator's scientific development. Dr. Mendelsohn, a recognized leader in the field of cardiovascular biology and cell signaling, is the Executive Director of the Molecular Cardiology Research Institute at Tufts University School of Medicine and has trained more than 45 postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. David A. Kass MD, the Abraham and Virgina Weiss Professor of Cardiology at the Johns Hopkins University and a world-renowned expert in cardiac remodeling, will Co-Sponsor the program. In addition, an advisory committee of highly-regarded medical scientists will provide scientific and career advice. This research program will focus on endoglin-mediated inhibition of collagen synthesis in the heart. Recent work in the Mendelsohn laboratory demonstrates that TGFbl coactivates expression of Type I collagen and endoglin in cardiac fibroblasts, while soluble endoglin attenuates TGFbl induced collagen synthesis. The proposed experiments will use state-of-the-art molecular, cellular and translational approaches to test the hypothesis that endoglin mediates a classic auto-inhibitory feedback loop that limits TGFbl-induced collagen synthesis, a key component of cardiac fibrosis in heart failure. The 3 Specific Aims explore: 1) whether endoglin inhibits TGFb1-induced collagen synthesis in human cardiac fibroblasts, using gain of function and loss of function approaches, 2) the relative contributions of Smad- dependent and -independent signal pathways in endoglin-mediated inhibition of TGFbl induced collagen synthesis, and 3) the functional role of endoglin in cardiac fibrosis using a model of pressure overload- induced heart failure (thoracic aortic constriction) in wild-type and endoglin-deficient mice.

Public Health Relevance

These proposed studies have the potential to identify endoglin and the signaling program it regulates as novel therapeutic targets to prevent cardiac fibrosis in heart failure. The Molecular Cardiology Research Institute at Tufts-New England Medical Center provides an ideal setting for training physician-scientists by incorporating the expertise of diverse, experienced faculty and resources into customized training programs.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
1K08HL094909-01A1
Application #
7738560
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHL1-CSR-O (M1))
Program Officer
Carlson, Drew E
Project Start
2009-08-01
Project End
2014-07-31
Budget Start
2009-08-01
Budget End
2010-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$128,250
Indirect Cost
Name
Tufts University
Department
Type
DUNS #
079532263
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02111
Morine, Kevin J; Qiao, Xiaoying; Paruchuri, Vikram et al. (2017) Reduced activin receptor-like kinase 1 activity promotes cardiac fibrosis in heart failure. Cardiovasc Pathol 31:26-33
Nevers, Tania; Salvador, Ane M; Grodecki-Pena, Anna et al. (2015) Left Ventricular T-Cell Recruitment Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Heart Failure. Circ Heart Fail 8:776-87
Kapur, Navin K; Qiao, Xiaoying; Paruchuri, Vikram et al. (2014) Reducing endoglin activity limits calcineurin and TRPC-6 expression and improves survival in a mouse model of right ventricular pressure overload. J Am Heart Assoc 3:
Kapur, Navin K; Paruchuri, Vikram; Aronovitz, Mark J et al. (2013) Biventricular remodeling in murine models of right ventricular pressure overload. PLoS One 8:e70802
Kapur, Navin K; Morine, Kevin J; Letarte, Michelle (2013) Endoglin: a critical mediator of cardiovascular health. Vasc Health Risk Manag 9:195-206
Kapur, Navin K; Shenoy, Chetan; Yunis, Adil A et al. (2012) Distinct effects of unfractionated heparin versus bivalirudin on circulating angiogenic peptides. PLoS One 7:e34344
Kapur, Navin K; Wilson, Szuhuei; Yunis, Adil A et al. (2012) Reduced endoglin activity limits cardiac fibrosis and improves survival in heart failure. Circulation 125:2728-38
Kapur, Navin K; Bian, Ce; Lin, Edward et al. (2011) Inhibition of transforming growth factor-? restores endothelial thromboresistance in vein grafts. J Vasc Surg 54:1117-1123.e1
Kapur, Navin K (2011) Transforming growth factor-?: governing the transition from inflammation to fibrosis in heart failure with preserved left ventricular function. Circ Heart Fail 4:5-7
Heffernan, Kevin S; Kuvin, Jeffrey T; Patel, Ayan R et al. (2011) Endothelial function and soluble endoglin in smokers with heart failure. Clin Cardiol 34:729-33

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