Effects of Obesity on Cellular Repair Mechanisms

Our laboratory investigates the effects of obesity on vascular, kidney, and cardiac structure and function in people and animal models.

For example, we seek early signs of kidney vascular and tubular injury in obesity, using imaging techniques and assessment of urinary exosomes released by kidney cells.

We also study the effects of obesity and ischemia on endogenous reparative systems. These include fat tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), MSC-derived extracellular vesicles and circulating endothelial progenitor cells.

We evaluate in those cellular products the structure and function of their mitochondria, mitochondria-derived peptides, cellular mRNA, microRNA, and protein cargo using sequencing and epigenetic changes induced by obesity. To determine the reparative potency of those cells, we study them in vitro or in animal models.

These studies are clinically significant in that they might shed important light on the mechanisms of delayed wound healing in obesity. This knowledge could ultimately lead to preventive and therapeutic measures.