Research Interests
A long-term goal of my research is to understand the
cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying salt sensitive hypertension.
Toward this goal, we have recently developed a unique animal model of
salt sensitive hypertension that is sensory nerve-dependent. This model
provides a novel experimental paradigm for exploring underlying molecular
mechanisms linked with salt  sensitive hypertension and sensory nerve function.
We are currently engaged in elucidating the importance of the vanilloid
receptor in sensory nerves in the regulation of salt sensitivity of arterial
pressure.
We have also developed a wide range of methodologies
to define the role of the renin-angiotensin system in regulation of ion
and fluid homeostasis and to define how defects in this system contribute
to hypertension. In particular, we study the cellular and molecular events
that participate in tissue-specific regulation of angiotensin receptor
subtypes in a variety of models of hypertension and diet manipulations.
In collaborating with investigators of engineering, we
are developing unique and powerful tools for innovative investigation
of the aforementioned systems. One is the robotic scanning probe microscope
system that will eventually enable us to recognize and to stimulate a
single receptor and to observe the consequences. The other system is a
biosensor array for continuous, real time, and in-situ measurement of
local tissue concentrations of hormones. It is anticipated that the data
generated from these studies will provide the molecular basis for the
development of specific antihypertensive regimens, such as gene or stem
cell therapies, that selectively treat salt sensitive hypertension.
Please
feel free to contact me if you have any questions about my research.
Selected Publications
Search all publications in the NCBI Journal Database
Wang YP, Wang DH. A novel mechanism contributing to Dahl salt sensitive hypertension: Role of the TRPV1 channel. Hypertension 47:3(2);609-614; 2006
Wang LH, Wang DH. Vanilloid receptor gene knockout impairs postischemic recovery in isolated perfused heart in mice. Circulation 112(23):3617-3623, 2005
Li JP, Kaminski NE, Wang DH. Anandamide-induced depressor effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats: role of the vanilloid receptor (VR1). Hypertension 41(2);757-762, 2003
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Donna
H. Wang