The Rezvan cardiovascular lab is interested in understanding the mechanisms of atherosclerosis in order to identify novel means to prevent and treat atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD), the leading cause of death in the United States. The lab focuses on how mechanical forces influence the interaction between endothelial cells and the immune system, which plays a fundamental role in ASCVD. The lab has recently identified a novel shear stress regulated transcription factor (Zbtb46), which in turn regulates endothelial cell activation and proliferation. They are further investigating the mechanisms of this regulatory process. The lab is also interested in the role of the liver as a major organ involved in immune system regulation, and they are currently studying the role of liver fibrosis on atherosclerosis. The Rezvan lab also collaborates with other investigators on developing novel animal models, studying circulating miRNAs, and imaging vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis.
Research Projects
- Role of Zbtb46 in endothelial cell activation and atherosclerosis (NIH-funded)
- Liver fibrosis and atherosclerosis (AHA-funded, collaboration with Dr. Arash Grakoui)
- Circulating miRNA 146a, exercise capacity, and arterial stiffness (Brock foundation, collaboration with Drs Arshed Quyyumi and Charles Searles)
- PCSK9/shear stress induced mouse models of atherosclerosis (Collaboration with Jo lab)