Daniel A. Leung, MD
University of Virginia Health System
It has been demonstrated that a variety of cell types including platelets, leukocytes, endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells are involved in injury-induced neointimal formation, which is a major factor that leads to restenosis within intravascular stents. However, the key factors and cell types for regulating neointimal formation have not been elucidated. Further, there is emerging clinical and experimental evidence to suggest that inflammatory cells such as leukocytes play a more important role in the restenotic process than in de novo atherosclerotic lesions. The goal of Dr. Leung's project is to study the contribution of leukocytes to the difference in neointimal formation responses to arterial injury research project is to develop animal models reproducing type I and II endoleaks. Such models are required to better understand the mechanisms leading to endoleaks and to provide tools to assess new strategies designed to decrease their occurrence. They are now studying model reproducibility and biological characteristics related to endoleaks. A long-term objective of this research is to test the impact of implant modifications designed to improve the outcomes of this minimally invasive treatment of AAA. |
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