Anne-marie Lauzon
Associate Member
Psychiatry
McGill University
Canada
Biography
Research Institute MUHC Glen Site
Research Interest
Primary research interest is to investigate the role of smooth muscle in airway hyperresponsiveness and asthma. Dr. Lauzon's current research program addresses this question in the following ways: 1) By investigating the smooth muscle myosin heavy chain isoform expression in human bronchial biopsies and in genetic and allergic models of airway hyperresponsiveness using such techniques as quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting; 2) By investigating the biophysical molecular properties of different SMMHC isoforms and actin regulatory proteins using such techniques as the laser trap (to measure the unitary displacement and force generated by single myosin molecules) and the in vitro motility assay (to measure the velocity of actin filaments as they get propelled by myosin molcules); 3) To study the biophysical properties of airway smooth muscle at the strip level to dissect out the relative contribution of the mechanics of the contractile proteins and their activation mechanisms. 4) To investigate fundamental properties of smooth muscle such as the latch-state. Specifically, the role of different smooth muscle myosin isoforms and the role of MgADP in the formation of the latch-state are addressed.
Publications
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Directional preference of airway smooth muscle mass increase in human asthmatic airways. Ijpma G, Panariti A, Lauzon AM, Martin JG.
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Epithelial Cells Induce a Cyclooxygenase-1-dependent Endogenous Reduction in Airway Smooth Muscle Contractile Phenotype. O'Sullivan MJ, Gabriel E, Panariti A, Park CY, Ijpma G, Fredberg JJ, Lauzon AM, Martin JG.
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Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 Is a Determinant of CD4 T Cell-Airway Smooth Muscle Cell Communication through Membrane Conduits. Farahnak S, McGovern TK, Kim R, O'Sullivan M, Chen B, Lee M, Yoshie H, Wang A, Jang J, Al Heialy S, Lauzon AM, Martin JG.
