The Pediatric Surgery Research Laboratory focuses on two major areas of clinical interest. The first involves studies of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and its ability to protect the intestines from various forms of injury. The second area of focus involves connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and its involvement in the development of fibrotic diseases of the liver and pancreas. These research projects are funded by the National Institutes of Health and include:
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Elucidation of the mechanisms by which HB-EGF exerts its protective effects against intestinal injury.
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Production of HB-EGF transgenic mice, and studies of intestinal injury in HB-EGF transgenic and knockout mice.
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Determination of the signal pathways used by HB-EGF in intestinal cytoprotection.
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Studies of the effects of HB-EGF in established animal models of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.
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Characterization of CTGF receptors and signaling pathways in hepatic stellate cells.
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Production of transgenic mice that over-express CTGF in the liver.
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Structure-function studies of CTGF.
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Role of CTGF in the function of pancreatic stellate cells.