Synthetic 3D Model of the Carotid Artery to Study Exercise-Induced Changes in Endothelial Gene Expression

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Abstract Dr. Samuel Montalvo is a US citizen from Hispanic (Mexican) heritage. Originally from El Paso, Texas, Dr. Montalvo has earned his Bachelors, Masters, and PhD degrees from The University of Texas at El Paso and he is a great candidate for this Research Supplements to Promote Diversity application. Dr. Montalvo will work under the parent grant entitled “Synthetic 3D Model of the Carotid Artery to Study Exercise-Induced Changes in Endothelial Gene Expression” (SC2GM140952) awarded to Dr. Alvaro Gurovich, which main purpose is to develop a 3D synthetic model of the human carotid artery using 3D bio-printing technology to simulate in vivo personalized AX-induced blood flow patterns and endothelial shear stress and to determine gene expression/transcription and molecular changes in endothelial cultured cells in vitro. Dr. Montalvo will work in 3 studies, 2 of them associated with the parent grant specific aims that hypothesize that a 3D synthetic model of the carotid artery will respond to exercise-induced blood flow patterns as a normal carotid artery (Specific Aim 1) and that endothelial cultured cells under similar blood flow patterns and shear stress will increase the expression of atherosclerosis-protective mRNA/proteins (e.g., eNOS, PGI2, and SOD) and structural mRNA/proteins (e.g., actin, heparin sulfate proteoglycan [glycocalyx], and α-actinin-bundled stress fibers), and a decrease of pro-atherosclerosis and pro-inflammatory mRNA/protein expression (e.g., ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and ET-1) in a similar intensity-dependent manner (Specific Aim 2). The third study is a parallel study responding to some of the comments from the reviewers of the parent grant. The purpose is to determine the differences between the traditional 2D shear stress model and the novel 3D synthetic model proposed in the parent grant. To accomplish this purpose, Dr. Montalvo will work with collected data to develop the pilot 3D model and compared protein/gene expression in endothelial cells under shear stress in the 2D and 3D models. He hypothesizes that the 3D model will be able to increase endothelial cell protein content as the 3D is more physiological to endure higher shear stress as the ones observed during high intensity exercise. In addition, to the research projects proposed, Dr. Montalvo will have a strong mentorship plan including 4 mentors in different career stages (i.e., lecturer, Assistant, Associate, and Full Professors). The parent grant, the specific research projects, and the mentorship plan and team will enhance Dr. Montalvo’s research capacity and increase his chances to obtain a tenure track faculty position in a research institution.