Research Interests

Research is focused on understanding the physiological and developmental roles of gap junction-mediated intercellular communication, particularly in the vascular wall and in cardiac tissues. Gap junctions are tightly packed clusters of intercellular channels that permit the direct transfer of signaling molecules, ions, and small metabolites between adjacent cells. In vertebrates, intercellular channels are made up of connexins, a family of ~20 related proteins that have distinct expression patterns and functional properties. In humans, connexin mutations have been linked to a number of diseases, including deafness, demyelinating neuropathies, skin diseases and lens cataracts. Alterations in connexin expression and function are also associated with cardiovascular disease. Current research uses a variety of approaches, including connexin knockout mice, to investigate the role of connexins in cardiovascular development and function.

Graduate Program Affiliations

Physiological Sciences

Publications

Bobbie M, Roy S, Trudeau K, Munger S, Simon AM, Roy S. Reduced connexin 43 expression and its effect on the development of vascular lesions in retinas of diabetic mice. IOVS,, in press.

Alonso F, Krattinger N, Mazzolai L, Simon AM, Waeber G, Meda P, Haefliger JA. An angiotensin II and NFĸB-dependent mechanism increases Connexin43 in murine arteries targeted by renin-dependent hypertension. Cardiovascular Research,, in press.

Lampe PD, Simon AM, Boitano S, Burt JM. Nov 2009. Synopsis of the 2009 International Gap Junction Conference in Sedona, Arizona. Cell Commun Adhes, 16:39

Wagner C, Kurtz L, Schweda F, Simon AM, Kurtz A. Aug 2009. Connexin 37 is dispensable for the control of the renin system and for positioning of renin-producing cells in the kidney. Pflugers Arch - Eur J Physiol, 459:151-8

McKinnon RL, Bolon ML, Kidder GM, Simon AM, Tyml L. Jul 2009. Reduction of electrical coupling between microvascular endothelial cells by NO depends on connexin37. AJP-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 297:93-101

Imbeault S, Gauvin LG, Sorbara CD, Migahed L, Toeg HD, Pettit A, DesRoches R, Menzies AS, Nishii K, Paul DL, Simon AM, Bennett SAL. Feb 2009. Regulation of connexin expression and communication in postnatal hippocampal progenitor cells by extracellular matrix components. BMC Neuroscience, 10:13

Norris RP, Freudzon M, Mehlman LM, Cowan AE, Simon AM, Paul DL, Lampe PD, Jaffe LA. Oct 2008. Norris RP, Freudzon M, Mehlman LM, Cowan AE, Simon AM, Paul DL, Lampe PD, and Jaffe LA (2008) Luteinizing hormone causes MAP kinase-dependent phosphorylation and closure of connexin 43 gap junctions in mouse ovarian follicles: one of two paths to meiotic resumption. Development, 135:3229-38

Burt JM, Nelson TK, Simon AM, Fang JS. Aug 2008. Connexin 37 profoundly slows cell cycle progression in rat insulinoma cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, 295:C1103-12

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