William Michael Maniscalco, M.D.

See information for Patients. Viewing information for Researchers.

Dr. Maniscalco's research interests are:

1) Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

2) Angiogenesis

3) Lung Development.

His laboratory research focuses on injury to the developing lung and the cellular response that is essential to repair the injured alveolus. Oxygen injury to the lungs is a common clinical problem that can result from therapeutic use of oxygen.

Their primary focus is on the development of the microvasculature and the effects of oxidant injury. The factors that regulate development of the pulmonary microvasculature are not known but likely involve vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors. VEGF is a peptide growth factor that is specifically mitogenic for endothelial cells. It may be a major angiogenic growth factor in several situations, such as lung development and recovery lung injury, in which neovascularization is active. They have determined that alveolar type II cells express VEGF in animals during the recovery phase of lung injury.

Their current studies seek to determine which cells express VEGF in developing lung, the impact of hyperoxic injury on lung vascular development, and the regulation of type II cell VEGF expression in vitro. They are also determining endothelial expression of the major VEGF receptors in lung during development and after oxygen injury. They use standard molecular and protein methods, such as Northern hybridization, in situ hybridization, immunocytochemistry and Western blotting.

Specialty

Neonatology

Current Appointments

• Professor - Department of Pediatrics (SMD)