Luis Martinez-Lemus, PhD, DVM
Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Pharmacology and PhysiologyOffice Location: 222A Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center
Office Phone: 573-882-3244
MartinezLemusL@missouri.edu
Research Interests
Research Description
Martinez-Lemus' research is focused on the mechanisms responsible for the architectural transformation of blood vessels also known as vascular remodeling. Vascular remodeling is a hallmark for numerous cardiovascular diseases, yet numerous questions remain to be answered regarding the mechanisms that control this process, such as: What stimuli drive the remodeling process? How do blood vessels detect those stimuli? or What are the mechanisms initiating the remodeling and under which conditions are they counterproductive participating in disease states? Currently funded research in Lemus-Martinez's laboratory is focused on determining the changes in the position and function of cells within the intact blood vessel wall that occur in response to common mechanical and vasoactive biochemical stimuli. His studies indicate that cells within the vascular wall rapidly change their position in response to stimulation in as little as four hours. This adaptive cell behavior appears to allow the vessel to maintain a reduced diameter for extended periods of time with reduced levels of activation and energy expenditure. An additional goal is focused on determining the changes in the structure and compliance of the extracellular matrix that occur during the initial stages of the remodeling process.
Professional Background
- Received DVM from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City.
- Received MS from Auburn University.
- Received PhD from Texas A&M University.
- Completed American Heart Association (AHA)-sponsored postdoctoral fellowship at Cardiovascular Research Institute, Texas A&M University.
- Received the American Physiological Society Research Career Enhancement Award.
- Member of the European Society for Microcirculation, the American Physiological Society, the Poultry Science Association, and the Microcirculatory Society.
- Acts as associate editor for the physiology section of Poultry Science.
- Acts as reviewer of several physiological journals.
Selected Publications
- Waitkus-Edwards K. R., L. A. Martinez-Lemus, X. Wu, J. P. Trzeciakowski, M. J. Davis, G. E. Davis, and G. A. Meininger, 2002. a4b1 Integrin activation of L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle causes arteriole vasoconstriction. Circ. Res. 90:473-480. (Featured in cover and editorial).
- Martinez-Lemus, L.A., X. Wu, E. Wilson, M. A. Hill, M. J. Davis, G. E. Davis, and G. A. Meininger, 2003. Integrins as unique receptors for vascular control. J. Vasc. Res. 40:211-233.
- Martinez-Lemus, L.A., M.A. Hill, S.S. Bolz, U. Pohl, and G.A. Meininger, 2004. Acute Mechanoadaptation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Response to Continuous Arteriolar Vasoconstriction: Implications for Functional Remodeling. FASEB J. 18:708-710.
- Martinez-Lemus, L.A., T. Crow, M.J. Davis, G.A. Meininger, 2005. a5b1 and avb3 integrin blockade inhibit the myogenic response of skeletal muscle resistance arterioles. Am. J. Physiol. 289:H322-H329.19. Hill, M.A., Z. Sun, L.A. Martinez-Lemus, and G.A. Meininger, 2007. New technologies to dissect the arteriolar myogenic response. Trends. Pharmacol. Sci. 28:308-315.
- Martinez-Lemus, L.A., 2008. Persistent agonist-induced vasoconstriction is not required for angiotensin-II to mediate inward remodeling of isolated arterioles with myogenic tone. J. Vasc. Res. 45:211-221.
- Sun, Z., L.A. Martinez-Lemus, M.A. Hill, and G.A. Meininger, 2008. Extracellular matrix-specific focal adhesions in vascular smooth muscle produce mechanically active adhesion sites. Am. J. Physiol. 295:C268-78.