Research Summary
The Mac Gabhann Lab is involved in research projects including:
- Inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor signaling in cancer: Using druggable multiscale computational models of the transport and signaling of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), they test therapies to block the signaling pathways that lead to vascularization of tumors and metastasis.
- Promoting vascular endothelial growth factor signaling in ischemic disease: Using druggable multiscale computational models of the transport and signaling of VEGF, they test therapies to increase nonpathological pro-angiogenic signaling that lead to increased perfusion of muscle and other tissues vulnerable to ischemia.
- Microvascular network organization: They study the variability in microvascular network structure in mice from different strains, both before and after intervention. Induced ischemic or other injury results in different remodeling responses that may hold the key to therapy development.
- Impact of extracellular matrix on VEGF signaling: Using a combination of in vitro, in vivo and in silico approaches, they study the ability of extracellular matrix sequestration of VEGF to impact the extracellular VEGF signal as perceived by cell-surface receptors.
- Molecular mechanisms of small-genome diseases – host-virus interactions of HIV: They have created molecular-level simulations of HIV, that complement existing models of viral development and cellular infection. By including the effects of the genes that HIV expresses, particularly those that have evolved to combat our host defenses, they can test new therapies that boost host antiviral responses.
Selected Publications
View all on PubMed
Vempati P, Popel AS, Mac Gabhann F. Extracellular regulation of VEGF: isoforms, proteolysis, and vascular patterning. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2014 Feb;25(1):1-19. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2013.11.002. Epub 2013 Nov 27. PMID: 24332926
Logsdon EA, Finley SD, Popel AS, Gabhann FM. A systems biology view of blood vessel growth and remodelling. J Cell Mol Med. 2013 Nov 17. doi: 10.1111/jcmm.12164. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24237862
Tan WH, Popel AS, Mac Gabhann F. Computational model of VEGFR2 pathway to ERK activation and modulation through receptor trafficking. Cell Signal. 2013 Dec;25(12):2496-510. doi: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2013.08.015. Epub 2013 Aug 29. PMID: 23993967
Moraes F, Paye J, Mac Gabhann F, Zhuang ZW, Zhang J, Lanahan AA, Simons M. Endothelial cell-dependent regulation of arteriogenesis. Circ Res. 2013 Oct 12;113(9):1076-86. doi: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.113.301340. Epub 2013 Jul 29. PMID: 23897694
Tan WH, Popel AS, Mac Gabhann F. Computational Model of Gab1/2-Dependent VEGFR2 Pathway to Akt Activation. PLoS One. 2013 Jun 21;8(6):e67438. Print 2013. PMID: 23805312