Academic Focus
My major research interest has been the molecular physiology of the plasminogen activation system. Primarily, I am interested in investigating the role of plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) in senescence and aging of various tissues including cardiovascular and pulmonary tissues and cardiac fibrosis, lipid metabolism and hair loss. In order to study how PAI-1 affects the molecular mechanisms of these conditions and diseases, we developed novel mouse models including the mice line tha...[Read full text]
My major research interest has been the molecular physiology of the plasminogen activation system. Primarily, I am interested in investigating the role of plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) in senescence and aging of various tissues including cardiovascular and pulmonary tissues and cardiac fibrosis, lipid metabolism and hair loss. In order to study how PAI-1 affects the molecular mechanisms of these conditions and diseases, we developed novel mouse models including the mice line that expresses the mutant form of PAI-1 present in Berne Amish kindred and the line that lacks extracellular PAI-1 activity. Furthermore, we developed new monoclonal antibodies to detect and quantify this mutant form of PAI-1 and also to test if it has any physiological and pathophysiological roles. Additionally, we have generated mice with endothelial deficiency of PAI-1 to explore the mechanisms of the cardiovascular aging, cardiac fibrosis and lipid metabolism.