Eileen M. Hasser, PhD
Professor, Department of Biomedical SciencesAdjunct Professor, Medical Pharmacology and Physiology
Office Location: 351 DCRC
Office Phone: 573-882-6125
HasserE@missouri.edu
Research Interests
Hypertension and the hormonal control of blood pressure, especially effects in the brain; neurohumoral regulation of the circulation
Research Description
Hasser's research focuses on neurohumoral control of the circulation. The primary interest is in cardiovascular reflex control of the sympathetic nervous system and blood pressure, and how these reflex systems are modulated under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Currently, the laboratory is involved in three primary projects.
The primary goal of the first project is to determine the neurotransmitter/receptor mechanisms involved in altered reflex control of blood pressure in acute and chronic hypertension.
The second project examines the mechanisms responsible for circulatory dysfunction due to cardiovascular deconditioning following prolonged exposure to space flight or bed rest. This project evaluates changes in both cardiovascular regulation and vascular function which may be responsible for the consequences of deconditioning.
The third area of investigation focuses on the reflex effects of circulating humoral factors, which are released under various physiological and pathophysiological states, and subsequently act in the central nervous system to alter cardiovascular regulation. This project examines the central nervous system neurotransmitters and pathways involved in these effects. These questions are examined utilizing conscious animals which are chronically instrumented for recording of blood pressure, blood flow and sympathetic nerve activity. In addition, anesthetized preparations are utilized for experiments involving electrical and chemical stimulation of specific brain regions, microinjections of neurotransmitter agonists and antagonists and central neurophysiological recording. The overall goal of this work is to understand the central nervous system mechanisms underlying cardiovascular regulation in normal and disease states.
Professional Background
- Obtained PhD, University of Oklahoma.
- Obtained BA, Gettysburg College.
Selected Publications
- Hypoxia activates a neuropeptidergic pathway from the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus to the nucleus tractus solitarii. Ruyle BC, Klutho PJ, Baines CP, Heesch CM, Hasser EM. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2018 Sep 19. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00244.2018. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 30230933
- Glial EAAT2 regulation of extracellular nTS glutamate critically controls neuronal activity and cardiorespiratory reflexes. Matott MP, Kline DD, Hasser EM. J Physiol. 2017 Sep 1;595(17):6045-6063. doi: 10.1113/JP274620. Epub 2017 Aug 2. PMID: 28677303
- Acute hypoxia activates neuroendocrine, but not presympathetic, neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus: differential role of nitric oxide. Coldren KM, Li DP, Kline DD, Hasser EM, Heesch CM. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2017 Jun 1;312(6):R982-R995. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00543.2016. Epub 2017 Apr 12.PMID: 28404583
- Excitatory amino acid transporters tonically restrain nTS synaptic and neuronal activity to modulate cardiorespiratory function. Matott MP, Ruyle BC, Hasser EM, Kline DD.J Neurophysiol. 2016 Mar;115(3):1691-702. doi: 10.1152/jn.01054.2015. Epub 2015 Dec 30. PMID: 26719090
- Clark CG, Hasser EM, Kunze DL, Katz DM, Kline DD., Endogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the nucleus tractus solitarius tonically regulates synaptic and autonomic function., J Neurosci. 2011 Aug 24;31(34):12318-29.PMID: 21865474
- Kline DD, King TL, Austgen JR, Heesch CM, Hasser EM., Sensory afferent and hypoxia-mediated activation of nucleus tractus solitarius neurons that project to the rostral ventrolateral medulla., Neuroscience. 2010 May 5;167(2):510-27. Epub 2010 Feb 12.PMID: 20153814
- Kvochina L, Hasser EM, Heesch CM, Pregnancy decreases GABAergic inhibition of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus., Physiol Behav. 2009 May 25;97(2):171-9. Epub 2009 Feb 28.PMID: 19254733
- Heesch CM, Zheng H, Foley CM, Mueller PJ, Hasser EM, Patel KP., Nitric oxide synthase activity and expression are decreased in the paraventricular nucleus of pregnant rats., Brain Res. 2009 Jan 28;1251:140-50. Epub 2008 Nov 19.PMID: 19041855
- Austgen JR, Fong AY, Foley CM, Mueller PJ, Kline DD, Heesch CM, Hasser EM., Expression of Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors on phenotypically different cells within the nucleus of the solitary tract in the rat., Neuroscience. 2009 Mar 17;159(2):701-16. Epub 2008 Oct 17.PMID:19013221
- Kvochina L, Hasser EM, Heesch CM., Pregnancy increases baroreflex-independent GABAergic inhibition of the RVLM in rats., Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2007 Dec;293(6):R2295-305. Epub 2007 Sep 26.PMID: 17898121
- Mueller PJ, Foley CM, Heesch CM, Cunningham JT, Zheng H, Patel KP, Hasser EM.,Increased nitric oxide synthase activity and expression in the hypothalamus of hindlimb unloaded rats., Brain Res. 2006 Oct 18;1115(1):65-74. Epub 2006 Aug 30.PMID: 16938283
- Mueller PJ, Sullivan MJ, Grindstaff RR, Cunningham JT, Hasser EM., Regulation of plasma vasopressin and renin activity in conscious hindlimb-unloaded rats., Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2006 Jul;291(1):R46-52.PMID: 16469838
- Mueller PJ, Hasser EM., Putative role of the NTS in alterations in neural control of the circulation following exercise training in rats., Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2006 Feb;290(2):R383-92. Epub 2005 Sep 22.PMID: 16179489