The Vascular Cell and Molecular Biology [VCMB] Study Section reviews applications involving the cell and molecular biology of blood vessels ranging from major arteries to the microcirculation. Studies using cellular, biochemical, biophysical, immunological, genetic, pharmacological, and molecular biological approaches to define vascular homeostasis and dysfunction are reviewed. A principal focus is on the biology of the endothelium, vascular smooth muscle cell, as well as adventitial cells and pericytes.
Specific areas covered by VCMB:
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Vascular homeostasis: growth control; apoptosis; cell differentiation; senescence; extracellular matrix; receptor biology; electrophysiology; signaling pathways; intercellular communication.
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Transcription, gene regulation as they relate to vascular biology: transcription factors; promoter analyses; genomics; microarrays; bioinformatics; gene clustering.
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Posttranscriptional regulation including mRNA stability, translational control and posttranslational modification including phosphorylation, lipid modification and ubiquitination as they relate to vascular homoeostasis.
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Protein biochemistry of the vascular cell: protein-protein interactions; protein structure; structural biology; proteomics.
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Vasomotor activity: vasocontraction and relaxation; nitric oxide; arachidonic acid metabolites; endothelins; reactive oxygen and nitrogen species; Endothelial-Derived Hyperpolarizing Factor(s).
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Leukocyte trafficking in vascular homeostasis: leukocyte rolling and trafficking; adhesion molecules; chemokines; cytokines; intercellular signaling.
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Injury/repair and associated angiogenesis: remodeling; angioplasty; restenosis; grafts; stents; re-endothelialization; stem cells; novel interventional therapies and evaluation of established devices.
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Mechanotransduction at the cellular level: hemodynamic forces; stress/strain; force transmission coupling in cells; mechanosignaling.
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Endothelial barrier function: permeability and transport; permeability factors; cell junctions; transmigration; extracellular matrix-mediated signaling; reactive oxygen and nitrogen species.
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Vascular contribution and response to coagulation: thrombosis and fibrinolysis mechanisms mediated by the vascular cells; platelet-endothelial interactions; tissue factor.
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Cellular dynamics through imaging: 3-D imaging; fluorescent fusion proteins; cytoskeleton; organelle dynamics; vesicular traffic.
VCMB has the following shared interests within the CVS IRG:
There is a shared interest in the elements of vascular cell biology with other study sections in this IRG. Specific shared interests may occur with:
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With Electrical Signaling, Ion Transport, and Arrhythmias [ESTA]: Fundamental studies of ion channels or calcium homeostasis without reference to integrated vascular cell function might be more appropriately assigned to ESTA. VCMB reviews those applications that emphasize a coupling to vascular cell and molecular biology.
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With Clinical and Integrative Cardiovascular Sciences [CICS]: Patient-oriented and whole animal research on the use of stents, pacemakers, etc. in vascular injury and repair are appropriate for CICS. Studies on vascular repair and injury where the focus is at the cell and molecular levels may be assigned to VCMB.
VCMB has the following shared interests outside the CVS IRG:
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With the Biological Chemistry and Macromolecular Biophysics [BCMB] IRG: Studies examining the structure and function of membranes or proteins that address questions relative to the physiology or pathology of the vasculature may be assigned to VCMB. Studies examining the structure and function of membranes or proteins that address questions relative to the biochemical or biophysical principles of proteins or membrane components of the vasculature may be assigned to the BCMB IRG.
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With the Cell Biology [CB] IRG: Shared interests concern cellular and molecular examination of vascular structure/function. When the focus is a general cellular or molecular understanding, assignment could be to the CB IRG. When the focus is an understanding of the biology and physiology of the cardiovascular system, assignment could be to VCMB.
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With the Genes, Genomes & Genetics [GGG] IRG: Shared interests concern genetic analysis of vascular homeostasis or dysfunction. When the focus is a general genetic understanding, assignment could be to the GGG IRG. When the focus is an understanding of the biology and physiology of the cardiovascular system, assignment could be to VCMB.
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With the Biology of Development and Aging [BDA] IRG: In general, applications that focus on early developmental processes up to and including formation of the primordial vasculature would typically be assigned to the BDA IRG. Applications that focus on elements of blood vessel growth and differentiation in postnatal vascular beds may be assigned to VCMB.
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With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies [BST] IRG: Applications on bioengineering related specifically to devices, gene therapy, and computational modeling approaches for cardiovascular disease (stents, pacemakers, etc.) and their use in cardiovascular injury and repair may be assigned to VCMB. Those involving more general aspects of devices, gene therapy, and computational modeling approaches could be assigned to the BST IRG or the SBIB IRG.
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With the Hematology [HEME] IRG: The interaction of blood elements with the vascular wall is complex and represents an area of shared interest. Assignment to the HEME IRG may be appropriate when the application is focused on: (1) vessel wall interactions with blood elements, including responses to shear stress, when the primary focus is on the biology of the formed blood elements, (2) soluble angiogenic factors from blood in regulating endothelial cell growth and function, or (3) the biology of soluble and formed blood elements in thrombosis. Assignment to VCMB may be appropriate when the focus is on: (1) vessel wall interactions with blood elements, including responses to shear stress, when the primary focus is on the biology of the vascular wall and extracellular matrix, including lipoprotein biology and atherogenesis, (2) vascular wall elements and the extracellular matrix in regulating endothelial cell growth and function including embryonic development of the vasculature, or the role of the vessel wall elements in non-tumor associated angiogenesis, or (3) the vascular wall and extracellular matrix in thrombosis and hemostasis.
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With the Respiratory Sciences [RES] IRG: In general, applications on vascular cell biology could be assigned to VCMB. Studies related specifically to the vascular biology of the pulmonary system would, in general, be assigned to the RES IRG.
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With the Surgical Sciences, Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering [SBIB] IRG: The use of imaging to study vascular cell properties and dynamics is appropriate for VCMB. The development of imaging technologies is appropriate for the SBIB IRG. Applications on bioengineering related specifically to devices for cardiovascular disease (stents, pacemakers, etc.) and their use in cardiovascular injury and repair are appropriate for VCMB. Those involving more general aspects of bioengineering could be assigned to the BST IRG or the SBIB IRG.
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