WEBINAR SERIES—APS-Miltenyi Biotec: Old Dogs Benefit from New Tricks: 3D Analysis of Arterial Injury To Study Nrf2-Dependent Inhibition of Neointimal Hyperplasia In Rats

July 29, 2021
11 a.m. EDT

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the world. Severe, symptomatic atherosclerosis is treated by percutaneous or surgical revascularization, and arterial restenosis limits the long-term success of both approaches. Despite advances in revascularization procedures, restenosis rates remain unacceptably high. Strategies to inhibit restenosis aim at reducing neointimal hyperplasia by inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. Since increased production of reactive oxygen species promotes vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration, redox intervention to maintain vascular wall redox homeostasis holds the potential to inhibit arterial restenosis. Restoring the redox balance by activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), the main antioxidant defense pathway present in our cells, is novel treatment.

Standard methodology for the analysis of vascular injury has historically relied on 2D histology. However, it is subject to shortcomings of 2D systems and significant user bias. In this webinar, Edward Bahnson, PhD, of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will discuss the development and validation of a methodological approach utilizing light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) for 3D imaging of preclinical vascular injury models. This approach minimizes analysis bias while increasing precision and reproducibility. Bahnson will use his studies on the mechanisms by which cinnamic aldehyde inhibits neointimal hyperplasia to demonstrate the application of this 3D approach to arterial injury analysis. He will show how LSFM shows a full picture of the hyperplastic lesion and allows for the assessment of its topology and compensatory and constrictive remodeling. Bahnson will also discuss the ability of LSFM to multiplex, assess infiltration of immune cells and analyze endothelial layer integrity.

Key topics include:

• Local delivery of redox-based therapies can inhibit restenosis and have the potential to improve revascularization outcomes;
• 3D analysis of arterial injury offers advantages over traditional 2D histology, including:
  • unbiased determination of the region of injury and increased precision;
  • measurement of more parameters of arterial injury; and
  • potential for discovery; and
• Cinnamic aldehyde inhibits hyperplasia in a Nrf2-dependent manner.

Speaker:

Edward Moreira Bahnson, PhD, an assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, received a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Uruguay, and moved to the U.S. to pursue his doctorate. He received his PhD in Biomedical Sciences from Kent State University in Ohio, studying no-coenzyme effects of vitamin B12 in vascular cells. Bahnson’s research program at UNC focuses on the study of vascular disease and developing of targeted delivery of therapeutics for the vasculature. To study vascular injury, he developed a novel technique using light sheet florescent microscopy (LSFM), which allows for unbiased and precise analysis of the arterial injury response in 3D. Bahnson holds two U.S. patents for his work.

Bahnson is involved in many diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. He is chair of the Provost’s Committee on LGBTQ Life and chair the DEI committee of the Society for Redox Biology and Medicine; and co-founder and faculty advisor to STEM Pride of the Triangle. Bahnson is a trained Safe-Zone facilitator and co-developer of the Safe-Zone training for STEM professionals and a member of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science chapter at UNC.