Additional research interests include insulin and cell differentiation. An emphasis has been placed on receptor-mediated signal transduction and regulation of gene expression. Primary cultures of smooth muscle cells from coronary artery have permitted an analysis of the biochemical pathways that mediate gene expression, changes in smooth muscle cell phenotype and stimulate cell growth following angiotensin II receptor activation. This system has been used to establish the relative contribution of the two receptor subtypes in these cells. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that prostaglandins, MAP kinase and PI3-kinase mediate specific intracellular signalling cascades triggered by the angiotensin receptors.
Current efforts are to examine the various signalling components in greater detail.
Restenosis is characterized by the excessive growth of vascular smooth muscle cells following damage to a blood vessel during surgical procedures such as angioplasty, coronary bypass surgery and organ transplantation. A unique coronary artery organ culture system is being used to examine the stimulation of smooth muscle cell migration and growth by injury. The model has also been found ideal for testing whether specific compounds may operate to prevent restenosis. To date, a variety of compounds have proven to have excellent anti-restenotic activity. A major emphasis is being placed on these studies due to their clinical relevance as well as the interest expressed by several pharmaceutical companies.