With a keen interest in cardiovascular biology, neuroendocrine and inflammatory processes in cardiac diseases, Kaie Ojamaa, PhD, spends most of her research time figuring out the processes that take place on the road to congestive heart failure and acute myocardial infarction. She studies pro-inflammatory cytokines of the immune system that may actually make things worse for the weakened heart. She has discovered that certain neuroendocrine hormones preserve cardiac function after an ischemic injury, and is now using this knowledge to develop potential treatments. Dr. Ojamaa is also very concerned about the young cardiac patient and is looking at the inflammatory response of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery to identify the short and long-term effects on neurocognition and psychological development.
 
Dr. Ojamaa studies ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure and pediatric congenital heart disease.

Lab Member:

Name:   Agnes Kenessey, PhD
Position:   Research Scientist
Research:   In Vitro models of cardiovascular disorders.
E-mail:   akenes@nshs.edu

Select Publications:

Kenessey A, Ojamaa K. Ligand-mediated decrease of thyroid hormone receptor-α1 in  cardiomyocytes by proteasome-dependent degradation and altered mRNA stability Am.J.Physiol  288:H813-821, 2005.

Kenessey A, Sullivan EA, Ojamaa K.  Nuclear localization of Protein kinase C-α induces thyroid hormone receptor-α1 expression in the cardiomyocyte. Am.J.Phsyiol. Heart Circ.Physiol. 290:H381- 389, 2006.

Lin X, Sakuragi T, Metz CN, Ojamaa K, Wang P, Skopicki H, Al-Abed Y, Miller EJ. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor within the alveolar spaces induces changes in the heart during late  experimental sepsis.  Shock 24(6): 556-563, 2005.

Madhok AB, Ojamaa K, Haridas V, Parnell VA, Pahwa S, Chowdhury D. Cytokine response in children undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease. Pediatric Cardiol. 27:408-13, 2006

Kenessey A, Ojamaa K. Thyroid hormone stimulates protein synthesis in the cardiomyocyte by activating the Akt-mTOR and p70S6K pathways. J.Biol.Chem. 281:20666-72, 2006.

Sakuragi T, Lin X, Metz CN, Ojamaa K, Kohn N, Al-Abed Y, Miller EJ. Lung-derived macrophage migration inhibitory factor in sepsis induces cardio-circulatory depression. Surgical Infect. 8:29-40, 2007.

Walsh R, Boyer C, LaCorte J, Parnell VA, Sison C, Chowdhury D, Ojamaa K. N-Terminal B-type  Natriuretic Peptide Levels in Pediatric Patients with Congestive Heart Failure Undergoing Cardiac  Surgery.  J.Thorac.Cardiovasc.Surg. 135:98-105, 2008.

Merchant S, Nadaraj S, Chowdhury D, Parnell VA, Sison C, Miller EJ, Ojamaa K. Macrophage migration  inhibitory factor in pediatric patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart repair. Mol.Med. 14(3-4):124-130, 2008.

Dhanatwari P, Nadaraj S, Al-Abed Y, Miller EJ, Ojamaa K. Inhibition of macrophage migration inhibitory  factor attenuates its effect on cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Biochem.Biophys Res.Commun. 371(2):298-303, 2008.