The ASPIRE Path in Molecular Medicine

My proposed thesis research investigates the role of serotonin receptor 2B (5-HT2B) in right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) using our lab’s novel 5-HT2B antagonist. Adaptive RVH is important to maintaining proper cardiac function in response to cases of increased afterload. Overtime, RVH leads to right heart failure (RHF), a significant clinical problem worldwide. As a result, RVH is commonly debated as to whether it is a beneficial or harmful adaptation. In line with the translational science aspect of APMM, my most recent study explores this controversy by testing our lab’s novel 5-HT2B antagonist as an RVH treatment on a 3-week pulmonary artery banding (PAB) mouse model. Fulton index, pressure-volume loop data, right ventricular systolic pressure, and histology were taken to assess RVH, cardiac function, and fibrosis. Future experiments will include a 10-week PAB treatment study and 3-week PAB genetic mouse models that act to replicate the treatment study. Integrating the translational goals of APMM, I aim to demonstrate 5-HT2B antagonism prevents RVH and RHF in vivo. Additionally, my research will possibly examine 5-HT2B markers on human RHF samples. On a clinical basis, I will support the murine testing of our novel 5-HT2B antagonist for its potential use in human clinical trials.