Research activities in skeletal pathobiology (M. Naski, MD, PhD; M. Reinhold, PhD) are directed at understanding the development and growth of the skeleton as well as the evolution of bone and joint pathologies. Specific interests include transcriptional regulation of osteoblast and chondrocyte genes, signaling pathways that define lineage commitment in mesenchymal cells, and mouse models for dwarfing.
Other research interests (N. Ghosh-Choudhury, PhD) are focused on exploring the positive growth and differentiation regulating role of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (BMP-2) in bone cells. BMP-2 is a well characterized member of the BMP family of growth factors that is known to induce osteoblast and chondrocyte cell growth and differentiation, the lack of which will cause many bone disorders including osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. The transcriptional regulation of BMP-2 gene expression in osteoblast cells has been elucidated. This includes identification and characterization of two promoters that regulate BMP-2 gene expression as well as the involvement of different transcription factors (e.g., Spl, Sp3, Dlx2) in regulating BMP-2 gene expression. In addition, the involvement of phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase (PI3K) and its downstream target (Akt/PKB) in BMP-2 mediated signaling during osteoblast growth and maturation has been documented.
Sherry Abboud, MD
Nandini Ghosh-Choudhury, PhD
Michael Naski, MD, PhD
Martina Reinhold, PhD