Postgraduate Research Student
- 2000-date: "DCU Educational Trust" Postgraduate Student, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University.
- 1996-2000: B.Sc. in Bioanalysis, Dept. of Applied Science, Institute of Technology, Tallaght.
- 1999: Research Assistant, Proctor and Gamble, Dublin.
Ongoing Research
- Effects
of dietary constituents on mammalian vascular endothelial and smooth
muscle cell biology
Endothelial cell dysfunction is considered to be a critical event in the etiology of atherosclerosis. Thus, the preservation of endothelial structure and function are a prerequisite for normal control of vascular permeability properties, mediation of both inflammatory and immunologic responses and the general communication between blood-borne cells and abluminal tissues. Many of these properties can be influenced by proteoglycans present in vascular tissues.
Blood borne lipids can be atherogenic by altering endothelial proteoglycan metabolism. Little is known about the role of fatty acids in modulating proteoglycan composition in endothelial cells. Data suggest that linoleic acid in particular can adversely alter proteoglycan metabolism, which may be related to an imbalance in eicosanoid synthesis patterns. These events could be sufficient to disrupt normal endothelial barrier function, initiate smooth muscle migration and proliferation, and result in various vascular metabolic dysfunctions. This project addresses how proteoglycan metabolism may alter endothelium control of vascular smooth muscle proliferation and migration. Specifically, we are examining the effects of conjugated linoleic acid on endothelial production of eicosanoids, in particular PGI2 and PGE2, cyclooxygenase activity and expression (COX-1 and COX-2), and the functional consequences of these effects on pressure-induced vascular smooth muscle cell fate decisions.
Recent Abstracts/Posters
- Cummins, P.M., Coen, P.M. and Cahill, P.A. (2001). Regulation of endopeptidase EC 3.4.24.15 expression in vascular endothelial cells by mechanical forces. Supplement to Circulation 104: 298. [peer reviewed poster - American Heart Association, Anaheim, CA]
- Von Offenberg Sweeney, N., Coen, P., Cummins, P. and Cahill, P.A. (2001) Shear stress induced pro-MMP2 activity in bovine aortic endothelial cells via an inhibitory Gi protein. Ir J Med Sci 170 (suppl 2): 124.
