Piezo-KLF2 axis in endothelial dysfunction and venous wall remodelling in varicose veins. (Principal Investigator)
SERB, Department of Science & Technology [DST]
Research Summary
Delineating the pathogenesis of venous diseases is crucial to develop effective preventive measures and non-invasive therapeutics strategies. Vascular wall remodelling and angiogenesis are mainly modulated by aberrant local hemodynamics, and hence considered to be a critical component of pathophysiology of vascular diseases. Even though, altered shear stress induced mechanotransduction is being actively investigated in arterial endothelium, not many reports are available about the mechano-sensing/ transduction in the venous vasculature. We are currently focusing on the role of altered hemodynamics in venous disease development and progression.
Research Programs
Varicose veins are the earliest manifestation of incompetence in saphenous and deep venous system. We presume that varicose vein is a blood shear stress - driven inflammatory disease. This study will highlight the role of altered blood shear stress in the development of venous endothelial dysfunction in low shear systems such as varicose veins. It would also pave the way to identify potential agents which can modulate this dysfunction at an earlier stage of disease development and also to attenuate disease progression in patients with varicose veins.
Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are tangles of dysplastic blood vessels which shunt blood from arteries to veins with no intervening capillary bed. Cerebral AVMs, are important causal factors of intracranial hemorrhage which result in permanent disability or death, if not detected early and corrected surgically. We are focusing on the genetic basis and hemodynamic factors involved in the pathophysiology of high shear systems such as cerebral AVMs.
Current Research Grants
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2024 2021
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2023 2018
Molecular Pathogenesis of varicose veins. (Principal Investigator)
Dr N Radhakrishnan Charity Fund
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2022 2019
Do epigenetic alterations in shear stress regulatory genes induce endothelial mesenchymal transition in patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations? (Principal Investigator)
Indian Council of Medical Research [ICMR]
Previous/ Completed Research Grants
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Role of hemodynamic shear stress in the pathogenesis of varicose veins (Principal Investigator)
Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment [KSCSTE] - YIPB 2018-2021Molecular determinants of vascular differentiation in the pathogenesis of arteriovenous malformations (Co- Investigator)
Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment [KSCSTE] - YIPB 2016-2019Genetic and epigenetic mediated regulation of gene expression in pancreatic β cells by metabolites of gut microbiota (Principal Investigator)
Department of Science & Technology [DST] - WOS A 2014-2018