Chandra Tamatam, PhD
Postdoctoral Trainee
Department of Pharmacology & Regenerative Medicine
Advisor: Reddy Sekhar, PhD Heading link
Title: Role of Oxidant Stress Modifiers in Neonatal Lung Injury and Remodeling
Abstract: Heightened inflammation accompanied by impaired resolution following oxidant injury in the neonatal lung results in vascular and alveolar remodeling (hypoalveoralization). These phenotypic changes mimic human bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic disease with significant mortality and lifelong morbidity. Identifying endogenous proximate mediators and effector signaling pathways promoting lung inflammation or resolution after the injury is crucial for developing novel strategies to restore normal lung structure and function. The project elucidates the role and mechanisms of proximate oxidant stress modifiers (Nrf2 and Fra-1) and mitochondrial signaling in regulating neonatal lung inflammation and alveolar remodeling after oxidant injury. We have developed tissue- and cell-type-specific (myeloid- and endothelial-specific) genetic mouse models of Nrf2 and Fra-1. We utilize experimental BPD and various molecular and cellular approaches to determine how Nrf2 deficiency worsens BPD, Fra-1 deficiency protects it, and the potential crosstalk regulatory mechanisms involved in neonatal lung remodeling.