Research in the St. Hilaire Lab focuses on identifying and characterizing the mechanisms underlying the development of cardiovascular calcification, with specific interest defining the influence of inflammatory and mechanical stress drive the transformation of a healthy cells into calcifying cells. Dense macrocalcification can protect atherosclerotic plaques from rupture, while microcalcification is destabilizing and promotes plaque rupture. Non-atherosclerotic calcification in the medial layer of peripheral arteries is found in a majority of adults and contributes to arterial stiffness and the development of peripheral artery disease. Aortic valve calcification, which leads to aortic stenosis, will develop in roughly a quarter of the elderly population. We do not know the impact that short and long-term exposure to zero gravity conditions will have on the nucleation, propagation, or resolution of cardiovascular calcification. We are interested in conducting in vitro and in vivo studies, using cell-based osteogenic differentiation assays, animal disease models, and data obtained from humans.
