Patient populations with higher prevalence of autoimmune disease—like women and those of the female sex, veterans and those suffering from trauma and Black and African American communities—are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease.
This project studies the contributions of the immune system and, specifically, the kidneys to high blood pressure induced by stress.
We are particularly interested in this research for populations where autoimmune disease is statistically high and where autoimmune diseases are population-specific, such as those of the female sex, veterans and those suffering from trauma and Black and African American communities.
This study takes an innovative approach involving the function of the mitochondria and the impacts of inflammatory hormones released on blood pressure and kidney function. We are using state-of-the-art techniques on the physiology, pharmacology and molecular levels to test our hypothesis of the impacts of stress on the kidneys and immune system.
Our findings will further set the stage to probe the role and impact of genetics as
it relates to stress and the immune system.
Purpose: To address a critical knowledge gap about the mechanisms by which chronic stress and innate immunity interact to promote renal disease and hypertension
Hypothesis: Superimposing chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) on systemic autoimmunity impairs renal mitochondrial function leading to activation of the NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich–containing family, pyrin domain–containing-3) inflammasome and the downstream formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) to drive renal reactive oxygen species production (ROS).
Goal: To directly examine the intersection of stress, innate immune system function, and autoimmune associated renal disease and hypertension
Vision: While it is known that chronic stress, trauma exposure, and PTSD can promote hypertension and autoimmunity, the mechanisms by which stress impacts the kidney to drive this risk are not clear. This project is highly significant because it will begin to fill this important knowledge gap. Importantly, the model used in this project closely mimics human SLE, and studies using this model have been translated directly to humans, making the clinical/translational significance high.
While this research improves the lives of anyone who has cardiovascular disease or knows someone with cardiovascular disease in South Carolina—a high percentage of the population—certain groups will benefit greatly from this focus area and the institute's work at large.
This research will improve the lives of anyone who has cardiovascular disease or knows someone with cardiovascular disease in South Carolina. However, certain groups will greatly benefit from our focus area and the institute's work at large.
High blood pressure disproportionately affects African American communities. This community experiences high heart failure rates despite health providers meeting standard of care guidelines. The institute will shed light on how body responses to everyday situations increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease in these populations.
Exposure to trauma affects the body in significant ways, especially the heart and vascular system. Veterans are at higher risk of having a new onset of heart disease compared with non-veterans. This research contributes directly to improving the lives of veterans and those with trauma or PTSD, while adding to the overall knowledge base of care for veterans.