Chetan P. Hans, PhD

University of Missouri – Columbia (MU)

The primary focus of my lab is to understand the role of vascular cells in the development of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). A role of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF; or CCN2) in the differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) has recently gained substantial interest because of its potential participation at different stages of AAA development. AAA, defined as a localized dilation of the abdominal aorta, is a life-threatening disease, which has an estimated incidence of ~9% in the adult population. Deterioration of the aortic wall occurs because of structural and functional changes in the vSMCs in the medial layer. To understand the novel roles of vSMCs in AAA, my laboratory has generated various knockout mice. My current R01 focuses on the role of Notch1 signaling in AAA. The other ongoing main projects in the lab are:
1. Determine the mechanisms by which M2-like macrophages affect AAA and their ability to modulate T cell response.
2. Determine if myeloid-specific inducible Notch1 haploinsufficiency can prevent AAA progression.