Although alterations of the microenvironment have been described in esophageal diseases, such as esophageal cancer and esophagitis, our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that mediate changes in the microenvironment and that regulate epithelial-stromal interactions in the context of esophageal diseases is still very limited. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying esophageal disease pathogenesis is crucial and will lead to considerable improvements in the diagnosis and the treatment of esophageal diseases. Our research program focuses on diseases of the esophagus, which are among the most common ailments in the United States and throughout the world, resulting in significant morbidity, mortality and healthcare expenditures. Contact UsĬontact the Pandolfino Lab at 31 Marie-Pier Tetreault Lab Publicationsįor more information, visit the faculty profile page of John E. This patient behavior develops though operant conditioning whereby an individual with a history of esophageal symptoms becomes hypervigilant around early cue detection of future esophageal discomfort.Īdditional projects in the lab again utilize both physiological testing and questionnaire-based research methodologies to better understand the generation of symptoms in the esophagus. Hypervigilance is measured by is measured by a single Body Hypervigilance and Awareness Scale and is highly predictive of symptom reporting. This project utilizes pH-metry data along with a battery of psychological questionnaires to investigate the role of Esophageal Hypervigilance in the perception of symptoms. Laurie Keefer, lead a team of research staff in a second NIH-funded project directed at the elucidation of symptom persistence in patients whose symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux fail to resolve despite medical therapy proven to reduce acid exposure in the esophagus. Technologies such as High-Resolution Impedance Manometry (HRIM) and Functional Luminal Impedance Planimetry (FLIP) are used extensively to investigate aspects of esophageal dysfunction that contribute to the symptoms of dysphagia and odynophagia. The first of these major projects focuses on the mechanics of esophageal function and how they contribute to the generation of symptoms of dysphagia. He is the PI of two NIH-funded research projects directed at understanding the mechanisms underlying symptoms in dysphagia and GERD. Pandolfino’s research projects span the breadth of esophageal disease. Green at 31 or the Green Lab at 31 John Pandolfino Labĭr. Publicationsįor more information, please see Dr.

Additional studies include the application of high-throughput techniques and murine Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analysis in order to identify novel regulators of the UPR in these disease models.

We employ several genetically modified mice and other in vivo and in vitro models of fatty liver injury and lipotoxicity. The current focus of these studies includes investigations on the role of the UPR in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and progressive fatty liver disease. The laboratory also investigates the mechanisms of liver injury in fatty liver disorders and the molecular regulation of hepatic metabolic pathways. We employ genetically modified mice and other in vivo and in vitro models of bile salt liver injury in order to better define the relevant pathways of liver injury and repair and to identify proteins and genes in these pathways that may serve as therapeutic targets for cholestatic liver disorders. Current studies are investigating the role of the UPR in the pathogenesis and regulation of hepatic organic anion transport and other liver-specific metabolic functions. Green’s laboratory investigates the mechanisms of cholestatic liver injury and the molecular regulation of hepatocellular transport.

Project hospital labs