Juan Sanchez-Esteban,
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Staff Neonatologist, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island,
Brown University
Juan Sanchez-Esteban, M.D., is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Brown University and Staff Neonatologist at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island. His research interest is to investigate how mechanical signals regulate fetal lung development. His laboratory has focused on cell signaling mechanisms promoting differentiation of fetal lung cells. Recent work has expanded on the potential role of extracellular vesicles as a vehicle for cell-to-cell communication in fetal lung development and as a rescue therapy for underdeveloped lungs.
Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Fetal Lung Morphogenesis Mediated by Mechanical Signals
Tuesday, 21 March 2017 at 17:30
Add to Calendar ▼2017-03-21 17:30:002017-03-21 18:30:00Europe/LondonRole of Extracellular Vesicles in Fetal Lung Morphogenesis Mediated by Mechanical SignalsSELECTBIOenquiries@selectbiosciences.com
Incomplete development of the lung secondary to extreme prematurity or pulmonary hypoplasia can cause neonatal death and serious long-term morbidities. Currently, the management of these conditions is primarily supportive. Lung morphogenesis has significant dependence on mechanical signals. However, the mechanisms by which mechanical forces accelerate lung development are not fully-characterized. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles, are increasingly recognized as a novel mode of cell-to-cell communication. Shedding vesicles are released from many cell types and have been identified in a variety of body fluids. Moreover, EVs were found to be important for tissue morphogenesis in drosophila. However, the role of EVs in fetal lung development is unexplored. Our preliminary studies show the presence of EVs in the lumen of the fetal lung. In addition, physiologic levels of mechanical strain stimulate the release of EVs in fetal lung epithelial cells. Moreover, incubation of fetal epithelial cells with EVs mimics the effect of stretch on cell differentiation. These preliminary studies suggest that signaling mediated by EVs could be important for fetal lung development. Currently, we are investigating the role of EVs in fetal lung development using ex vivo and in vivo models.
Add to Calendar ▼2017-03-20 00:00:002017-03-21 00:00:00Europe/LondonExosomes and Extracellular Vesicles (EV): Research, Diagnostics and Therapeutics OpportunitiesSELECTBIOenquiries@selectbiosciences.com
Add to Calendar ▼2017-03-21 17:30:002017-03-21 18:30:00Europe/LondonRole of Extracellular Vesicles in Fetal Lung Morphogenesis Mediated by Mechanical SignalsSELECTBIOenquiries@selectbiosciences.com
