Agneta Simionescu, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor
B.S. Biochemistry, 1981 University of Bucharest, Romania
Research Scientist, 1981-2003, Institute for Cardiovascular
Diseases and Heart Transplantation, Targu Mures, Romania
Ph.D. Cell Biology/ Biochemistry, 2001, The Romanian
Academy of Science, Bucharest, Romania
Postdoctorate Bioengineering, 2003-2007 Clemson University
Research Scientist, 1981-2003, Institute for Cardiovascular
Diseases and Heart Transplantation, Targu Mures, RomaniaPh.D. Cell Biology/ Biochemistry, 2001, The Romanian
Academy of Science, Bucharest, RomaniaPostdoctorate Bioengineering, 2003-2007 Clemson University
Research Interests
Cardiovascular Biomaterials
Regenerative Medicine
Diabetes tissue engineering
Applied Immunology
Regenerative Medicine
Diabetes tissue engineering
Applied Immunology
Email:
Office: 201-4 Rhodes Research Center
Phone: 864.650.2575
Office: 201-4 Rhodes Research Center
Phone: 864.650.2575
Honors, Awards, and Professional Activities
Academy Award in Biological Sciences for “Research on Collagenous Biomaterials”, Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania. 1995Dr. Constantin Velican Award for “Research in Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Diseases”, Bucharest, Romania. 1996 Society Memberships:
International Society for Applied Cardiovascular BiologyEuropean Cell Biology Organization Society for BiomaterialsBiomedical Engineering SocietyCurrent Research
Stem Cell-Based Tissue Engineering in Diabetic Subjects
Effective translation of tissue engineering research from laboratory studies to clinical practice requires understanding of mechanisms by which host responses affect the integrity and functionality of implants. This aspect is particularly significant to cardiovascular biomaterials which are often implanted in patients affected by severe conditions, such as diabetes and/or high blood pressure, which inherently exhibit altered signaling and defense mechanisms. Therefore we are developing in vitro and in vivo models that mimic these pathological conditions and observe modifications of tissue engineered constructs at cellular and molecular level. Presently we use adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells as cell sources and study their differentiation into endothelial, heart valve interstitial and smooth muscle cell phenotypes as well as their adherent and migratory properties under normal and diabetic environments. Ongoing animal studies include implantation of scaffold-supported adipose-derived autologous stem cells in diabetic rats and evaluation of desirable host reactions, such as regeneration and remodeling, and unwanted reactions, such as degeneration, fibrosis, calcification, and immune rejection, as compared to control animals.
Recent Publications
Simionescu A, Simionescu D, Vyavahare NR. “Osteogenic responses in fibroblasts activated by elastin degradation products and TGF-b1: role of myofibroblasts in vascular calcification”American Journal of Pathology.2007. July;171(1):116-23
Lee JS, Basalyga DM, Simionescu A, Isenburg JC, Simionescu D, Vyavahare NR. “Mechanisms of elastin calcification in rat subdermal model: gene expression associated with elastin degeneration and ectopic osteogenesis”. American Journal of Pathology.2006. Feb;168(2):490-8
Lu Q, Simionescu A, Vyavahare NR. “Novel capillary channel fiber scaffolds for guided tissue engineering”. Acta Biomater. 2005 Nov;1(6):607-14.
Simionescu A, Philips K, Vyavahare NR, “Elastin-derived peptides and TGF-beta1 induce osteogenic responses in smooth muscle cells”. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005 Aug 26;334(2):524-32.
Bracher M, Simionescu D, Simionescu A, Davies N, Human P, Zilla P. "Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue valve degeneration". Journal of Long Term Effects of Medical Implants.2001;11(3-4):221-230.
