Research Interest

Research programs in Dr. Abraham’s laboratory are focused on vascular dysfunction which are a prelude to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases including hypertension, stroke, diabetes and obesity, the role of oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, hypoadiponectinemia and lipid-derived from arachidonic acid in the initiation of vascular dysfunction. The central hypothesis focuses on heme oxygenase (the most potent anti-oxidant gene in human body)-adiponectin-EET plays an essential role in vascular function. We believe that heme oxygenase acts as a molecular "switch" to genetically reprogram stem cells and subsequently vascular endothelium through activation of a unique signaling cascade with amplification of protective circuits to provide resistance to vascular dysfunction. Heme oxygenase also serves as the mediator of cross-talk between adipose tissue and the vasculature. Studies in his lab focus on the impact of adipocyte stem cell dysfunction on vascular endothelial integrity through the prism of heme oxygenase.
Human biological materials and experimental animal models of diabetes and obesity are used to examine the use of stem cell interventions and molecular, gene therapy that amplify the heme oxygenase system. Additionally, one of our research approaches represents a powerful tool to identify therapeutic strategies and novel biomarkers for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (e.g. circulating endothelial cells and progenitor stem cells [EPCs] for better prognosis). We believe that the effect of anti-diabetic drugs alone or in combination with the antioxidant genes, have a differential impact on stem cell function and vascular diseases as well as on stem cells differentiation into adipocyte and osteoblast. The genomic approach and gene array analysis described in various publications from our laboratory represents a powerful tool to systematically investigate therapeutic approaches, and hence, facilitate translational research in hypertension, diabetes and the metabolic syndrome using stem cells and or gene therapy. Additionally, our lab is developing genetic testing for several human genetic diseases to predict future pathophysiological conditions using cell therapy for disease prevention.