Cell Biology

We have performed studies designed to delineate the role of sarcomeric proteins in the contractile deficit of human myocardial failure. Characterizing human myocardial biopsy samples to delineate muscle contraction, we have identified key molecular defects in the contractile machinery. This knowledge can be applied to developing emerging therapies that specifically target maladapted myocardial signaling pathways. Additional efforts include enhancing engraftment of stem cells and cell-based therapies.  Through such approaches improved survival in patients with heart failure may ultimately be achieved. Photo: Attenuation of smooth muscle cell accumulation in response to electrically induced vascular injury by induction of the PAI-1 gene.

Recent Grant Support

NIH (1 R01 AG19564)   "Molecular Basis of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy"  09/00-08/04 Maughan (PI)

NIH (P01 HL670040-01) "Signaling in Epithelial Injury, Proliferation and Fibrosis" 06/01-04/06 Mossman (PI)

NIH R21 HL077570-01 "Differentiation Potential of Adult Rat Stem Cells" Spees (PI)

NIH (PHS R01 AT01121) “Accupuncture Mechanism:  Mechanotransduction Model" 09/02-05/07 Langevin (PI)

Representative Publications

Taatjes, D.J., Wadsworth, M., Absher, P.M., Sobel, B.E., and Schneider, D.J. (1997) Immunoelectron microscopic localization of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) in smooth muscle cells from morphologically normal and atherosclerotic human arteries. Ultrastruct. Pathol. 21, 527-536.

Davis, W.P., Janssen, Y.M.W., Mossman, B.T., and Taatjes, D.J. (1997) Simultaneous triple fluorescence detection of mRNA localization, nuclear DNA, and apoptosis in cultured cells using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Histochem. Cell Biol. 108, 307-311.

Schneider, D.J., Ricci, M.A., Taatjes, D.J., Baumann, P.Q., Reese, J.C., Leavitt, B.J., Absher, P.M., and Sobel, B.E. (1997) Changes in arterial expression of fibrinolytic system proteins in atherogenesis. Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 17, 3294-3301.

Schneider, D.J., Taatjes, D.J., Howard, D.B., and Sobel, B.E. (1999) Increased reactivity of platelets induced by fibrinogen independent of its binding to the IIb-IIIa surface glycoprotein: A potential contributor to cardiovascular risk. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 33,261-266.

Taatjes, D.J., Quinn, A.S., and Bovill, E.G. (1999) Imaging of type III collagen in fluid by atomic force microscopy. Microsc. Res. Tech. 44, 347-352.

Taatjes, D.J., Quinn, A.S., Lewis, M.R., and Bovill, E.G. (1999) Quality assessment of atomic force microscopy probes by scanning electron microscopy: Correlation of tip structure with rendered images. Microsc. Res. Tech. 44, 312-326.

Absher, P.M., Hendley, E., Jaworski, D.M., Taatjes, D.J., and Sobel, B.E. (1999) Impairment of the blood-brain barrier: A potential surrogate delineating determinants of cerebral bleeding caused by fibrinolytic drugs. Cor. Art. Dis. 10, 413-420.

Taatjes, D.J., Wadsworth, M.P., Schneider, D.J., and Sobel, B.E. (2000) Improved quantitative characterization of atherosclerotic plaque composition with immunohistochemistry, confocal fluorescence microscopy, and computer-assisted image analysis. Histochem. Cell Biol. 113, 161-173.

Taatjes, D.J., Schneider, D.J., Bovill, E.G., and Sobel, B.E. (2001) Microscopy-based imaging of the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Microscopy and Analysis 50, 21-23.

Wadsworth, M.P., Sobel, B.E., Schneider, D.J., and Taatjes, D.J. (2002) Delineation of the evolution of compositional changes in atheroma. Histochem. Cell. Biol. 118, 59-68.

Spees, J.L., Olson, S.D., Ylostalo, J., Lynch, P.J., Smith, J., Perry, A., Peister, A., Wang, M.Y. and Prockop, D.J.  Differentiation, cell fusion and nuclear fusion during ex vivo repair of epithelium by human adult stem cells from bone marrow stroma (hMSCs). Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 100 (5):2397-2402 (2003).

Gregory, C.A., Prockop, D.J., and Spees, J.L. Non-hematopoietic bone marrow stem cells: Molecular control of expansion and differentiation. Experimental Cell Res. (2005; In press)