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Postdoctoral-Current
 Erin Hsu
Post Doctoral June 25, 2007 to Present
Lab of Christopher Bradfield, PhD
Contact Information
Email: Erin Hsu
Funding National Research Service Award Predoctoral Traineeship (NIEHS Training Grant T32, June 25, 2007-present)
Undergraduate and Graduate Work
UC-Los Angeles Medical Center (2007) PhD Molecular Toxicology
Vanderbilt University (2000) BS Molecular Biology
Research as of June 2007
The Bradfield Laboratory uses the xenobiotic response mediated by the AHR as a model system to understand vascular development in mammals. In this effort, I am beginning to elucidate the mechanism by which human LDL can activate the Ah receptor signaling pathway. My initial work is focused on the identification of the protein or lipid component of oxidized LDL that can act as a receptor agonist. This work could provide important information on a previously undiscovered endothelial cell signaling pathway that regulates vascular tone or responses to fluid shear stress in the endothelium. In these efforts, I am gaining training in how to elucidate the identity of both small molecules and proteins isolated from human sera. Through the use of vascular endpoints as readouts of receptor signal transduction, I am becoming schooled in the area of vascular development, particularly hepatovascular development. This training should complement my already extensive understanding of the basics of AHR signaling and its role in the modification of toxic agents.
Publications- Sarafian T, Habib N, Mao JT, Tsu IH, Yamamoto ML, Tashkin DP, Hsu E, Roth M. Gene expression changes in human small airway epithelial cells exposed to Ä9-Tetrahydrocannabinol. Toxicol Letters 2005; 158(2):95-107.
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Wang F, Zhang R, Xia T, Hsu E, Cai Y, Gu Z, Hankinson O. Inhibitory effects of nitric oxide on invasion of human cancer cells. (submitted to Cancer Research) - Hsu EL, Yoon DY, Choi HH, Wang F, Zhang R, Taylor RT, Hankinson O. Identification of a novel mechanism for the chemoprotection of 2,3,7,8-tetradibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) against breast cancer. (in preparation for submission winter, 2007)
Hsu EL, Bui PH, Hankinson O. Functional Characterization of the Novel Cytochrome P450, CYP2S1. (in preparation for submission winter, 2007)- Hsu EL, Wang F, Zhang R, Taylor RT, Hankinson O. A novel mechanism for the chemoprotection of phytochemicals for breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers. (in preparation for submission spring, 2007)
 Tisha C. King Heiden
Post Doctoral July 8, 2006 to Present
Lab of Richard Peterson, PhD
Contact Information
Email: Tisha King Heiden
Funding National Research Service Award Predoctoral Traineeship (NIEHS Training Grant T32, July 8, 2006-present)
Undergraduate and Graduate Work
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee PhD Biology (2005)
University of North Carolina - Greensboro MS Biology (1998)
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point BS (1996)
Photo Credit: Chris Frazee, Media Solutions
Research as of October 2007
I am currently working on two research projects. The first is using the zebrafish as a model to assess the latent effects of exposure to sublethal concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD/dioxin) during early life stages. Recent evidence suggests that exposure to sublethal levels of environmental contaminants during early development can influence developmental programming, resulting in permanent functional changes not realized until later in life (Developmental Basis for Adult Disease, DBAD). TCDD is known to adversely affect early development and reproduction, and is an endocrine disruptor in nearly all vertebrates. However, little is known about the long-term effects of sublethal dioxin exposure during early development. I am working to characterize the sublethal effects of TCDD exposure, primarily effects on craniofacial development, cardiac toxicity, and reproductive capability of adults. My research supports the hypotheses that exposure to sublethal levels of TCDD during early life stages can adversely affect health and reproductive capability of adults and their offspring. These results will enable us to develop models for correlating exposure to TCDD during early life with adult-onset of disease and reproductive dysfunction.
Secondly, I am working to develop the zebrafish as a model to assess the developmental toxicity of different nanomaterials. While nanomaterials promise to significantly benefit society, little information currently exists on their toxicity or the physiochemical properties that influence their uptake and toxicity. As the field of nanotechnology continues to grow, it is imperative that we determine the potential risks that such materials may pose to humans, wildlife, and the environment. I am working to provide baseline data on the toxicity and pathology of different classes of engineered nanomaterials (i.e., dendrimers and quantum dots) so that we can then use such information to investigate the potential effects such compounds may have on humans and wild fish populations. Our work illustrates the utility of the zebrafish embryo as a medium-throughput, low-cost, whole-animal, vertebrate model to screen nanomaterials for developmental toxicity. Results from this assay may alert investigators to possible adverse effects to other vertebrates, including humans.
Publications- King Heiden, TC, E Dengler, WJ Gao, W Heideman, and RE Peterson. 2007. Developmental toxicity of low generation PAMAM dendrimers in Zebrafish. Toxicol. and Appl. Pharm. doi:10.1016/j.taap.2007.07.009.
Hutz, RJ, MJ Carvan III, MG Baldridge, LK Conely, and TC King Heiden. 2007. Environmental toxicants and effects on female reproductive function. Trends in Repro. Biol. In press.- King Heiden, TC, CA Struble, ML Rise, MJ Hessner, RJ Hutz, and MJ Carvan, III. 2007. Molecular targets of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin within the zebrafish ovary: Insights into TCDD’s ovarian toxicity. Reprod. Toxicol. Doi:10.1016/j.reprotox.2007.07.013
- King Heiden, TC, MJ Carvan, III, and RJ Hutz. 2006. Inhibition of follicular development, vitellogenesis, and 17â estradiol concentrations in zebrafish following chronic, sublethal dietary exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Tox Sci. 90(2): 490-499.
- King Heiden, TC, RJ Hutz, and MJ Carvan, III. 2005. Accumulation and maternal transfer of TCDD: Effects on reproductive success of female zebrafish. Tox Sci. 87(2):497-507.
- King Heiden, TC, A Neal Haines, C Manire, J Lombardi, and TJ Koob. 2005. Ultrastructure and permeability of the egg capsule of the bonnethead shark, Sphyrna tiburo. J. Exp. Zool. 303A(7):577-589.
- Carvan III, MJ, TC King Heiden, and H Tomasiawicz. 2005. The Utility of Zebrafish as a Model for Toxicological Research. In Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Fishes, vol 6 Environmental Toxicology. TP Mommsen and TW Moon, eds. Elsevier BV. Pp. 3-41.
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