Thomas, Christie, M.D.

My primary research interest is in the regulation of the amiloride-sensitive sodium channel. This channel is expressed in the distal nephron, and mediates aldosterone-responsive sodium reabsorption in the collecting ducts. This channel is mutated in certain forms of genetic hypertension and in salt wasting syndromes. ranscriptional regulation of gene expression appears to be of considerable importance in sodium transport in many epithelia. We have determined the organization of the epithelial sodium channel subunit genes, and are studying the regulation of the epithelial sodium channel genes and the regulation of sgk1 and Nedd4-2, two proteins that control the activity of the epithelial sodium channel. Understanding regulatory mechanisms involved in sodium transport pathways should provide new approaches in the diagnosis and therapy of patients with hypertension.

My secondary research interest is in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, a uniquely human disorder of pregnancy characterized by proteinuria and hypertension. We are investigating the biogenesis and the function of soluble Flt1, a circulating inhibitor of angiogenesis, that has been implicated in the development of preeclampsia.