WHERE HEART HEALTH MATTERS
JESSE MOREIRA, PHD
Educator | Scientist | Innovator
ABOUT
Who I Am
I am a dedicated scientist and biomedical educator. I received my BA in Biology in 2017, my MS in Human Physiology in 2018, my PhD in Human Physiology in 2021. My research expertise spans several interdisciplinary themes in the field of cardiology, including cellular and developmental biology, cardiac biochemistry, integrative neuro-cardiovascular physiology, and cardiovascular genetics to investigate the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease.
MY RESEARCH
From Theory to Reality
HUMAN INDUCED PLURIPOTENT STEM CELLS
My recent work has focused on creating cellular models of mitochondrial genetic variation. Using human induce dpluripotent stem cells from the Framingham Heart Study, we are creating cardiomyocytes harboring various nuclear mutations and investigating how mitochondrial genetics modify the phenotype in-vitro. We apply whole genome sequencing, metabolomics, and more to discover the pathophysiology of heart failure with high resolution.
OLIGONUCLEOTIDE-MEDIATED GENE KNOCKDOWN
In my research, I use oligonucleotide mediated protein knockdown to study the role of brain G-alpha-i2 class GPCR subunits in preventing dietary sodium evoked hypertension. We utilize osmotic minipumps and intracerebroventricular cannulas to infuse ODNs and downregulate these subunits to induce the salt sensitivity of blood pressure.
NEUROINFLAMMATION IN HYPERTENSION
Adding to the robust literature highlighting the role of inflammation in hypertension, I have found and published a novel anti-inflammatory role of hypothalamic G-alpha-i2 subunit proteins. We found that when these proteins are downregulated, a high salt diet evokes robust microglial reactivity and cytokine production. Additionally, we have found that inhibition of the microglial activation partially attenuates hypertension via reduction of sympathetic outflow.
PUBLICATIONS
2019-Present
October 2021
GAINING INSIGHT INTO MITOCHONDRIAL GENETIC VARIATION AND DOWNSTREAM PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: WHAT CAN I(PSCS) DO?
Moreira, J.D.; Gopal, D.M.; Kotton, D.N.; Fetterman, J.L. Gaining Insight into Mitochondrial Genetic Variation and Downstream Pathophysiology: What Can i(PSCs) Do? Genes 2021, 12, 1668. https:// doi.org/10.3390/genes12111668
November 2021
SENSORY AFFERENT RENAL NERVE ACTIVATED GΑI2 SUBUNIT PROTEINS MEDIATE THE NATRIURETIC, SYMPATHOINHIBITORY AND NORMOTENSIVE RESPONSES TO PERIPHERAL SODIUM CHALLENGES
Moreira JD, Nist KM, Carmichael CY, Kuwabara JT and Wainford RD (2021) Sensory Afferent Renal Nerve Activated Gαi2 Subunit Proteins Mediate the Natriuretic, Sympathoinhibitory and Normotensive Responses to Peripheral Sodium Challenges. Front. Physiol. 12:771167. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.771167
March 2020
HYPOTHALAMIC PARAVENTRICULAR NUCLEUS GΑI 2 (GUANINE NUCLEOTIDE-BINDING PROTEIN ALPHA INHIBITING ACTIVITY POLYPEPTIDE 2) PROTEIN-MEDIATED NEURAL CONTROL OF THE KIDNEY AND THE SALT SENSITIVITY OF BLOOD PRESSURE
Carmichael CY, Kuwabara JT, Pascale CL, et al. Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus Gαi2 (Guanine Nucleotide-Binding Protein Alpha Inhibiting Activity Polypeptide 2) Protein-Mediated Neural Control of the Kidney and the Salt Sensitivity of Blood Pressure. Hypertension. 2020;75(4):1002-1011. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.119.13777
October 2019
INHIBITION OF MICROGLIAL ACTIVATION IN RATS ATTENUATES PARAVENTRICULAR NUCLEUS INFLAMMATION IN GΑI 2 PROTEIN-DEPENDENT, SALT-SENSITIVE HYPERTENSION
Moreira JD, Chaudhary P, Frame AA, et al. Inhibition of microglial activation in rats attenuates paraventricular nucleus inflammation in Gαi2 protein-dependent, salt-sensitive hypertension. Exp Physiol. 2019;104(12):1892-1910. doi:10.1113/EP087924
