The Bone Vascular and Microcirculation Laboratory is focused on examining the interaction between blood vessels and bone in states of health and disease.
Recent evidence suggests a link between cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. In addition, the vascular supply is critical for proper bone healing following fracture and bone blood vessels participate in a variety of physiological processes in the bone marrow. However, little is known about how blood vessels in bone contributes to bone health and disease. In order to assess the integrative nature between both systems, we investigate the interaction between blood vessels and bone via several in vivo and in vitro techniques.
Utilizing a variety of experimental models (e.g., intermittent parathyroid hormone administration, bone marrow ablation, advancing age, etc.), we assess how bone changes in accordance with altered vascular function. To examine the microcirculatory (i.e., arterioles and arteries) function of bone, we utilize the in vitro, isolated microvessel technique to decipher vasodilator and vasoconstrictor mechanisms. Further, skeletal perfusion and blood vessel density and morphology of bone is assessed via the injection of fluorescent microspheres, and contrast medium and resin, respectively, into the vascular system. To examine bone properties in accordance with vascular parameters following an intervention, we evaluate bone microarchitecture (e.g., bone volume) with microcomputed tomography (µCT) and utilized bone histomorphometry to assess bone static and dynamic properties (i.e., osteoblast and osteoclast activity).
Publication List
Publication list at The National Center for Biotechnology Information (click or tap to view).
Current Funding
| American Heart Association (16IRG27550003) |
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| National Science Foundation (1710948) |
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Previous Funding
| National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences (P20 GM103446) |
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| Center for Biomedical Research Excellence (CoBRE) on Cardiovascular Health (P20 GM113125) |
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| National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (7R15AR062882-02) |
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| Research Foundation Strategic Initiative Grant |  |
| Cobb-Vantress Contract |  |
| Innovative Research Grant |  |
