David Chiasson
Assistant professor
Pathology
University of Toronto
Canada
Biography
David Chiasson MD, FRCPC Assistant Professor Contact information Pediatric Lab Med The Hospital for Sick Children 555 University Ave. Toronto Ontario M5G 1X8 Phone: 416-813-6848 Fax: 416-813-5974 Email: david.chiasson@sickkids.ca David Chiasson MD, FRCPC Assistant Professor Contact information Pediatric Lab Med The Hospital for Sick Children 555 University Ave. Toronto Ontario M5G 1X8 Phone: 416-813-6848 Fax: 416-813-5974 Email: david.chiasson@sickkids.ca
Research Interest
Cardiovascular diseases cause more than 50% of the deaths in North America, and represent the greatest cost to the Canadian Health Care system. We investigate the basic science mechanisms involved in atherosclerosis and heart failure, in particular concentratiing on interactions between cells and the extracellular matrix during fibrosis. We are investigating experimental models of arterial injury and atherosclerosis in transgenic mice, studying the role of extracellular matrix, the novel discoidin-domain receptors (DDRs), and cadherins in mediating smooth muscle cell and macrophage responses. We are particularly interested in the initiation of atherosclerosis, and the atherosclerotic complications of plaque rupture and calcification. These in vivo experiments are paralleled by in vitro studies investigating the activation of signaling pathways downstream of these receptors in smooth muscle cells and macrophages. We have joined the new Ted Rogers Center for Heart Research and we are also investigating mechanisms of fibrosis in heart failure.
