Microvascular Research

Our mission is to determine the impact of inflammation on the structure and function of microvascular arteries, and to apply this knowledge to better understand how diseases affect blood flow, tissue, and organ perfusion. Ultimately, we aim to develop novel therapeutic strategies to treat patients with blood pressure disorders such as hypo- and hypertension.

Our research aims to understand disorders of blood pressure regulation specifically in conditions associated with systemic inflammation, such as low blood pressure seen in sepsis and high blood pressure seen in hypertension.

Hypotension (low blood pressure) in sepsis is an unmet clinical need and causes increased mortality through inadequate tissue and organ perfusion.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It can damage the arteries over the long-term and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes and heart failure.

Our current research program aims to develop novel therapeutics in these two areas.

Stanley CP et al. Singlet Molecular Oxygen Regulates Vascular Tone and Blood Pressure in Inflammation. Nature 2019; 566 p548.

Cheng D et al. Inhibition of myeloperoxidase attenuates endothelial dysfunction in mouse models of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. Arterioscl Thromb Vasc Biol 2019: 39: p1448.

Herring N et al. Neuropeptide-Y causes coronary microvascular constriction and is associated with reduced ejection fraction following ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Eur Heart J 2019; 40 p1920.

Zardoya-Laguardia P et al. Endothelial indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 regulates the placental vascular tone and is deficient in intrauterine growth restriction and pre-eclampsia. Sci Rep 2018; 8 p5488.