Research interest
The major research interest of Muscha Steckelings’ group is the angiotensin AT2-receptor, which – in contrast to the AT1-receptor – mediates tissue protective actions. Since the spectrum of protective effects of this receptor is broad (e.g. vasodilation, anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis, anti-apoptosis, neuroregeneration), the AT2-receptor can be regarded as a potential drug target for the treatment of various diseases.
Research in the Steckelings group addresses many aspects of AT2-receptor physiology and pharmacology ranging from AT2-receptor signaling and interaction with other receptors (primarily the receptor MAS) over in vivo models for testing therapeutic efficacy of AT2-receptor stimulation (e.g. in models of diabetic or hypertensive end-organ damage, CNS diseases, fibrotic diseases, chronic inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, dermatological diseases) to the preclinical and clinical development of AT2-receptor agonists for potential future clinical use.
Methods and Techniques
Cell culture, mRNA and protein analysis, in vitro nitric oxide measurement, Immunoblotting, Immunolocalization, and Immunflorescence microscopy, ELISA techniques, Knock-out animal models.
Staff
PhD student: Antonio Augusto Bastos Peluso
Courses
Pharmacology and physiology for medical, biomedical and pharmacy students.
Collaborations
USA: Prof. Colin Sumners, Prof. Michael Katovich, University of Florida, Gainesville
Prof. Tahir Hussain, University of Houston
Sweden: Prof. Anders Hallberg, Prof. Mats Larhed, Uppsala University
Assoc. Prof. Lena Lindblad & Prof. Björn Dahlöf, University of Gothenburg
Australia: Prof. Robert Widdop, Prof. Kate Denton, Dr. Lucinda Hilliard, Monash University
Prof. Karin Jandeleit-Dahm, Prof. Terri Allen, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne
Brazil: Prof. Robson Santos, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte
Assis. Prof. Daniel Villela, University of Diamantina
Austria: Dr. Marko Poglitsch, Attoquant
Germany: Prof. Michael Bader, Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine
Prof. Jonel Trebicka, University Clinics Bonn
Prof. Reinhard Voll and Dr. Bettina Sehnert, University of Freiburg
Dr. Metin Artuc, Charité – Medical Faculty Berlin
Dr. Mario Menk, Charité – Medical Faculty Berlin
Netherlands: Prof. Thomas Unger, Maastricht University
Italy: Dr. Giovanna Castoldi & Prof. Andrea Stella, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca
Prof. Carmine Savoia, Sapienza University of Rome
Slovakia: Prof. Ludovit Paulis, University of Bratislava
Japan: Prof. Masatsugu Horiuchi, Ehime University
Membership in Societies
European Council for Cardiovascular Research (Past-President, Advisory Board)
American Heart Association
International Society of Hypertension (Committee on Women in Hypertension)
European Society of Hypertension
Danish Heart Foundation
Working group on Dermato-endocrinology
Selected publications
84 peer-reviewed publications; 44 publications 2010 - 2015
1 book (editor); 13 book chapters
