Patricia D'Amore, PhD
| Department | Vascular Biology Program |
 |
| Hospital Title | Research Associate | |
| Academic Title |
Professor of Opthalmology and Pathology |
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| Phone | 617-912-2559 | |
| Fax | 617-912-0128 | |
| Patricia D'Amore | ||
| Location |
300 Longwood Avenue Enders 10 Boston MA 02115 |
Research overview
Patricia D'Amore's research focuses on the mechanism of vascular growth and development with respect to the abnormal growth of new blood vessels that causes many eye diseases. She is particularly interested in the role of polypeptide growth factors, such as VEGF and TGF-B, and is investigating the contribution of interactions among the cells of the vasculature. Her group is interested not only in blocking angiogenic factors, but also in preventing their manufacture.
To that end, her lab is exploring the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate vessel growth. The vasculature consists primarily of two cell types: the endothelial cell (EC), which lines the lumen, and the smooth muscle cell (SMC), or pericyte, which is associated with the abluminal surface of the vessel. D'Amore's studies are aimed at eludicating the molecular mechanisms of SMC/pericyte differentiation, particularly the relative contributions of TGF-B.
In another line of research, D'Amore is looking at Wnt—a family of secreted proteins that play roles in various aspects of early development (eg, axis polarity, neural development) as well as in cell growth control and differentiation. Frizzled proteins are seven transmembrane-spanning proteins that act as receptors for members of the Wnt family. Her lab has isolated the gene for one such protein—FrzA—from the vascular endothelium and have demonstrated that FrzA can block the action of Wnt-1.
D'Amore and colleagues are currently seeking to determine the role of FrzA in an in vitro model of epithelial differentiation. They are exploring the possibility that FrzA may act as a tumor suppressor, and assessing the role of FrzA in vascular development and growth.
About Patricia D'Amore
Patricia D'Amore received an MBA from Northeastern University and a PhD from Boston University. In addition to her appointments at Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, she is Senior Scientist and Ankeny Scholar in Retinal Molecular Biology at Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston.
Key Publications
- Darland DC, Massingham LJ, Smith SR, Piek E, Saint-Geniez M, D'Amore PA. Pericyte production of cell-associated VEGF is differentiation-dependent and is associated with endothelial survival. Developmental Biology 2003; 264: 275-288.
- Hartnett ME, Lappas A, Darland D, McColm JR, Lovejoy S, D'Amore PA. Retinal pigment epithelium and endothelial cell interaction causes retinal pigment epithelial barrier dysfunction via a soluble VEGF-dependent mechanism. Experimental Eye Research 2003; 77: 593-599.
- Stalmans I, Ng YS, Rohan R, Fruttiger M, Bouche A, Yuce A, Fujisawa H, Hermans B, Shani M, Jansen S, Hicklin D, Anderson DJ, Gardiner T, Hammes HP, Moons L, Dewerchin M, Collen D, Carmeliet P, D'Amore PA. Arteriolar and venular patterning in retinas of mice selectively expressing VEGF isoforms. Journal of Clinical Investigation 2002. 109: 327-336.
