PATRICIA GALLAGHER, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Surgical Sciences, Hypertension and Vascular Research Center, Associate Professor, Physiology & Pharmacology, Director, Molecular & Genetics Core Lab
Hanes Building, 6th floor
Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1032
Tel: 336-716-4455
Fax: 336-716-0269
Email: pgallagh@wfubmc.edu
Education:
Memphis State University, BS, 1968
University of Tennessee at Memphis, PhD, 1983
Research Description:
Molecular biology of hypertension
Regulation of cell growth
Chemotherapeutics/chemoprevention of cancer
Current Research:
The research in Dr. Gallagher¹s laboratory focuses on the molecular regulation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). In collaboration with investigators of the Hypertension & Vascular Disease Center, studies are designed to examine the role of the RAS in a variety of complex, chronic pathologies, including hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. The goal of this research is to delineate the complex patterns of gene regulation essential to normal cell, tissue, and organ function and to determine the dysregulation that occurs in disease states. Emphasis is placed on the role of the RAS peptide products, angiotensin II and angiotensin-(1-7), whose opposing actions are essential for blood pressure control, homeostasis, and cell growth regulation. With the discovery of ACE2, a new component of the RAS that converts angiotensin II to angiotensin-(1-7) with high efficiency, current research efforts focus on the molecular regulation of this critical enzyme in maintaining a normal functional balance of these two peptides.
Recently, Dr. Gallagher, in collaboration with Dr. Ann Tallant, initiated a novel area of research, investigating the inhibition of cancer cell growth by angiotensin-(1-7). The focus of this project is to determine whether the peptide will serve as an effective chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive agent for the treatment of breast and lung cancer. Current studies examine the molecular mechanisms that reduce cancer growth and tumor angiogenesis, as well as determine the effective treatment dose and time for maximum efficacy. The ultimate goal of this research is to use the heptapeptide in a combination therapy to both reduce cancer growth as well as inhibit tumor formation.
Dr. Gallagher serves as Director of the Cellular & Molecular Biology Core, providing scientific expertise for the faculty, staff, and students of the Hypertension Center, as well as national and international scientists on a fee for service basis. She has funding from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the NIH, the National Cancer Institute, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Recent Publications:
For a listing of additional publications, refer to PubMed, a service provided by the National Library of Medicine.
Gallagher PE, Ferrario CM, Tallant EA. Regulation of ACE2 in cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts. Gallagher PE, Ferrario CM, Tallant EA. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2008 Dec;295(6):H2373-9.
Gallagher PE, Ferrario CM, Tallant EA. MAP kinase/phosphatase pathway mediates the regulation of ACE2 by angiotensin peptides. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2008 Nov;295(5):C1169-74.
Diz DI, Garcia-Espinosa MA, Gallagher PE, Ganten D, Ferrario CM, Averill DB. Angiotensin-(1-7) and baroreflex function in nucleus tractus solitarii of (mRen2)27 transgenic rats. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2008 Jun;51(6):542-8.
Diz DI, Garcia-Espinosa MA, Gegick S, Tommasi EN, Ferrario CM, Ann Tallant E, Chappell MC, Gallagher PE.Injections of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 inhibitor MLN4760 into nucleus tractus solitarii reduce baroreceptor reflex sensitivity for heart rate control in rats. Exp Physiol. 2008 May;93(5):694-700.
Anton L, Merrill DC, Neves LA, Stovall K, Gallagher PE, Diz DI, Moorefield C, Gruver C, Ferrario CM, Brosnihan KB. Activation of local chorionic villi angiotensin II levels but not angiotensin (1-7) in preeclampsia. Hypertension. 2008 Apr;51(4):1066-72.