PATRICIA GALLAGHER, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Surgical Sciences, Hypertension and Vascular Research Center, Assistant Professor, Physiology & Pharmacology, Director, Molecular & Genetics Core Lab
Watlington Hall – 1st floor
Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1032
Tel: 336-716-4455
Fax: 336-716-0269
Email: pgallagh@wfubmc.edu
Education:
Memphis State University, BS, 1968
University of Tennessee at Memphis, PhD, 1983
Research Description:
Molecular biology of hypertension
Regulation of cell growth
Chemotherapeutics/chemoprevention of cancer
Current Research:
The research in Dr. Gallagher¹s laboratory focuses on the molecular regulation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). In collaboration with investigators of the Hypertension & Vascular Disease Center, studies are designed to examine the role of the RAS in a variety of complex, chronic pathologies, including hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. The goal of this research is to delineate the complex patterns of gene regulation essential to normal cell, tissue, and organ function and to determine the dysregulation that occurs in disease states. Emphasis is placed on the role of the RAS peptide products, angiotensin II and angiotensin-(1-7), whose opposing actions are essential for blood pressure control, homeostasis, and cell growth regulation. With the discovery of ACE2, a new component of the RAS that converts angiotensin II to angiotensin-(1-7) with high efficiency, current research efforts focus on the molecular regulation of this critical enzyme in maintaining a normal functional balance of these two peptides.
Recently, Dr. Gallagher, in collaboration with Dr. Ann Tallant, initiated a novel area of research, investigating the inhibition of cancer cell growth by angiotensin-(1-7). The focus of this project is to determine whether the peptide will serve as an effective chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive agent for the treatment of breast and lung cancer. Current studies examine the molecular mechanisms that reduce cancer growth and tumor angiogenesis, as well as determine the effective treatment dose and time for maximum efficacy. The ultimate goal of this research is to use the heptapeptide in a combination therapy to both reduce cancer growth as well as inhibit tumor formation.
Dr. Gallagher serves as Director of the Cellular & Molecular Biology Core, providing scientific expertise for the faculty, staff, and students of the Hypertension Center, as well as national and international scientists on a fee for service basis. She has funding from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the NIH, the National Cancer Institute, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Recent Publications:
Sakima A, Averill DB, Kasper SO, Jackson LM, Ganten D, Ferrario CM, Gallagher PE, Diz DI.Baroreceptor Reflex Regulation in Anesthetized Transgenic Rats with Low Glial-Derived Angiotensinogen. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2006 Nov 3.
Neves LA, Chappell MC, Ferrario CM, Gallagher PE, Ganten D, Brosnihan KB.Effect of estrogen on neprilysin expression in uterus and kidney of Sprague-Dawley normotensive and heterozygous (mRen2)27-transgenic hypertensive rats.Peptides. 2006 Nov;27(11):2912-8.
Yamaleyeva LM, Gallagher PE, Vinsant S, Chappell MC.Discoordinate regulation of renal nitric oxide synthase isoforms in ovariecotmized mRen2.Lewis rats.Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2006 Oct 5
Gallagher PE, Chappell MC, Ferrario CM, Tallant EA.Distinct roles for ANG II and ANG-(1-7) in the regulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in rat astrocytes. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2006 Feb;290(2):C420-6.
Ferrario CM, Jessup J, Gallagher PE, Averill DB, Brosnihan KB, Ann Tallant E, Smith RD, Chappell MC. Effects of renin-angiotensin system blockade on renal angiotensin-(1-7) forming enzymes and receptors. Kidney Int. 2005 Nov;68(5):2189-96.
Gallagher PE, Tallant EA. Inhibition of human lung cancer cell growth by angiotensin-(1-7). Carcinogenesis 2004;15:1-8.
Strawn WB, Richmond RS, Tallant EA, Gallagher PE, Ferrario CM. Renin-angiotensin system expression in rat bone marrow haematopoietic and stromal cells. British Journal of Haematology 2004;126:120-126.
Ishiyama Y, Gallagher PE, Averill DB, Tallant EA, Brosnihan KB, Ferrario CM. Up-regulation of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 after myocardial infarction by blockade of angiotensin II receptors. Hypertension 2004;43:1-7.
Ferrario CM, Averill DB, Brosnihan KB, Chappell MC, Diz DI, Gallagher PE and Tallant EA. Angiotensin-(1-7). Its contribution to arterial control mechanisms. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology. 2004,163I:476-518.
Modrall JG, Sadjadi J, Brosnihan KB, Gallagher PE, Yu CH, Kramer GL, Bernstein KE, Chappell MC, Depletion of tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme differentially influences the intrarenal and urinary expression of angiotensin peptides. Hypertension. 2004;43(4):849-53.
Chappell MC, Gallagher PE, Averill DB, Ferrario CM, Brosnihan KB. Estrogen or the AT1 antagonist olmesartan reverses the development of profound hypertension in the congenic mRen2.Lewis rat. Hypertension 2003;42:781-786.
Diz DI, Jessup JA, Westwood BM, Bosch SM, Vinsant S, Gallagher PE, Averill DB. Angiotensin peptides as neurotransmitters/neuromodulators in the dorsomedial medulla. Clin Exp Pharm Physiol 2002;29:473-482.
Chappell MC, Diz DI, and Gallagher PE. The renin-angiotensin system and the exocrine pancreas. J. Pancreas 2001. 2(1):33-39.
Fukahara M, Geary RL, Diz DI, Gallagher PE, Wilson JA, Glazier SS, Dean RH, and Ferrario CM. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Expression in Human Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis. Hypertension 35[part 2]:353-359, 2000.
Gallagher PE, Ping L, Lenhart JR, Chappell MC, and Brosnihan KB. Estrogen Regulation of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme mRNA. Hypertension 33:323-328, 1999.
For a listing of additional publications, refer to PubMed, a service provided by the National Library of Medicine.