Helen Christou, MD
| Department | Newborn Medicine |
 |
| Hospital Title | Assistant in Medicine | |
| Academic Title | Assistant Professor of Pediatrics | |
| Phone | 617-525-8129 | |
| Fax | 617-582-6026 | |
| Helen Christou | ||
| Location |
Brigham and Women's Hospital 75 Francis Street Thorn 1005 Boston MA 02115 |
Research Overview
Helen Christou's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying vascular cell responses to extracellular acidosis. Her goals are to:
- Define the molecular mechanisms underlying regulation of gene expression by extracellular acidosis in vascular cells.
- Examine the functional significance of acidosis-induced changes in gene expression in vascular cells.
- Determine the in vivo effects of extracellular acidosis in a model of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Ultimately, her research may identify specific molecular targets for therapies for disorders in which acidosis may play a pathogenetic or protective role.
About Helen Christou
Dr. Christou received her M.D. from Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, Greece. She completed her medical training at Beth Israel Medical Center, New York and Children's Hospital Boston.
Key Publications
- Christou H, Bailey N, Kluger M, Mitsialis SA, Kourembanas S. Extracellular acidosis induces Heme Oxygenase-1 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2005;288(6):H2647-2652.
- Minamino T, Christou H, Hsieh C-M, Liu Y, Dhawan V, Abraham NG, Perrella MA, Mitsialis SA, Kourembanas S. Targeted expression of heme oxygenase-1 prevents the pulmonary inflammatory and vascular responses to hypoxia. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2001;98:8798-8803.
- Christou H, Morita T, Hsieh CM, Koike H, Arkonac B, Perrella MA, Kourembanas S. Prevention of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension by enhancement of endogenous heme oxygenase in the rat. Circ Res. 2000;86:1224-1229.
- Christou H, Van Marter LJ, Wessel DL, Allred EN, Kane JW, Thompson JE, Stark AR, Kourembanas S. Inhaled nitric oxide reduces the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Crit Care Med 2000;28:3722-3727.
