CVRI Scientists

Ronald I. Clyman, M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics

Research Interests:
Cardiology, cell biology, developmental biology, neonatology, neonatal cardiology

Summary:
Our laboratory has been studying the factors that regulate normal closure of the ductus arteriosus in full-term infants and abnormal persistent ductal patency in preterm infants. Approaches used to study this problem are: controlled clinical trials, integrated whole animal physiology, in vitro organ culture, and cell biology. Clinical trials are focused on the timing of treatment of the patent ductus arteriosus. Whole animal models are used to study the effects of a patent ductus in premature newborn lambs on pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal and gastrointestinal function. Organ culture studies are used to study the contractile performance of the ductus, its response to putative mediators of patency and closure, and its regulation of prostaglandin and calcium metabolism with advancing gestation. Studies of isolated ductus arteriosus smooth muscle cells are focused on the role of smooth muscle cells in remodeling the vessel after closure, their interaction with the extracellular matrix, and the effect of endogenous cytokines and matrix on smooth muscle cell migration and function.