Vascular Regeneration/Remodelling

In this project we study the role of vascular connexins in remodelling processes. Using genetic connexin mutations their effect on of vascular on cell growth and migration and heterocellular communication are analyzed. We further study the role endothelial mitochondrial impairment, cytoskeletal reorganization and altered smooth muscle calcium homeostasis on cellular migration in isolated cultured microvessels and a model of arteriogenesis. One of the targets is the AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) which establishes a close link to metabolic and inflammatory diseases and microvascular remodelling