Dr Tracey Gaspari - Researcher Profile

Biography

Dr Tracey Gaspari is a Research Fellow in the Department of Pharmacology at Monash University. Tracey originally completed her PhD in pharmacology at Monash University in the area of interaction of xanthines and beta2-adrenoceptor agonists, two classes of drugs used to treat asthma and premature labour. Following this Tracey then moved to working in the cardiovascular field, initially with Prof John Ludbrook at the Royal Melbourne Hospital where her research included investigating mechanisms involved in haemorrhagic shock. From there she moved to the Howard Florey institute and worked with Prof Greg Dusting where her interest in the renin angiotensin system and cardiovascular disease began. There was a short stint working for the biotechnology company, Thrombogenix, before Tracey returned to Monash University and the Pharmacology Department in 2001.

With cardiovascular disease still the biggest cause of morbidity and mortality in the modernized world, Tracey's work has focussed on the cardio-protective effects of shorter angiotensin peptides and non-AT1 receptors, particularly in the area of atherosclerosis. More recently, in collaboration with Dr Siew Yeen Chai in the Physiology Department, Tracey has highlighted the protective role associated with inhibition of the enzyme, insulin regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP), also known as the angiotensin subtype 4 receptor, in both atherosclerosis and cardiac remodelling. There is still much to be done to understand the role of IRAP in the development of cardiovascular disease. However the development of exciting, novel synthetic inhibitors of this enzyme has helped to bring the possibility of a new therapeutic strategy to treat cardiovascular disease that little bit closer.

Qualifications

BSC (HONS)-MEDICINE FACULTY, DEPT. OF PHARMACOLOGY

Institution: Monash University

Year awarded: 2006

PHD FACULTY OF MEDICINE, DEPT. OF PHARMACOLOGY

Institution: Monash University

Year awarded: 1995

Publications

Journal Articles

Gaspari, T.A., Vinh, A., Jones, E.S., Widdop, R.E., 2012, Ganging up on Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptors in Vascular Remodeling, Hypertension [P], vol 60, issue 1, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, USA, pp. 17-19.

Gaspari, T., Liu, H., Welungoda, I., Hu, Y., Widdop, R., Knudsen, L., Simpson, R., Dear, A., 2011, A GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide inhibits endothelial cell dysfunction and vascular adhesion molecule expression in an ApoE-/- mouse model, Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research [P], vol 8, issue 2, Sage Publications Ltd, UK, pp. 117-124.

Libinaki, R., Tesanovic, S., Heal, A., Nikolovski, B., Vinh, A., Widdop, R.E., Gaspari, T.A., Devaraj, S., Ogru, E., 2010, Effect of tocopheryl phosphate on key biomarkers of inflammation: Implication in the reduction of atherosclerosis progression in a hypercholesterolaemic rabbit model, Clinical And Experimental Pharmacology And Physio..., vol 37, issue 5-6, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia, Australia, pp. 587-592.

Tesanovic Kljajic, S., Vinh, A., Gaspari, T.A., Casley, D., Widdop, R.E., 2010, Vasoprotective and atheroprotective effects of angiotensin (1-7) in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis And Vascular Biology [P], vol 30, issue 8, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, USA, pp. 1606-1613.

Vinh, A., Gaspari, T.A., Jones, E.S., Widdop, R.E., 2009, Functional Cardiovascular Effects of Angiotensin Peptides: Focus on Atherosclerosis and Hypertension, Current Hypertension Reviews [P], vol 5, issue 3, Bentham Science Publishers Ltd, The Netherlands, pp. 227-236.

Vinh, A., Gaspari, T.A., Liu, H., Dousha, L., Widdop, R.E., Dear, A.E., 2008, A novel histone deacetylase inhibitor reduces abdominal aortic aneurysm formation in angiotensin II-infused apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, Journal of Vascular Research, vol 45, Karger, Switzerland, pp. 143-152.

Jones, E.S., Vinh, A., McCarthy, C.A., Gaspari, T.A., Widdop, R.E., 2008, AT2 receptors: Functional relevance in cardiovascular disease, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, vol 120, issue 3, Elsevier Inc., United States, pp. 292-316.

Vinh, A., Widdop, R.E., Chai, S.Y., Gaspari, T.A., 2008, Angiotensin IV-evoked vasoprotection is conserved in advanced atheroma, Atherosclerosis, vol 200, issue 1, Elsevier Ireland Ltd, Ireland, pp. 37-44.

Vinh, A., Widdop, R.E., Drummond, G.R., Gaspari, T.A., 2008, Chronic angiotensin IV treatment reverses endothelial dysfunction in ApoE-deficient mice, Cardiovascular Research, vol 77, Elsevier Science BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, pp. 178-187.

Walters, P.E., Gaspari, T.A., Widdop, R.E., 2005, Angiotensin-(1-7) Acts as a vasodepressor agent via angiotensin II type 2 receptors in conscious rats, Hypertension, vol 45, issue 5, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia USA, pp. 960-966.

Barber, M.N., Gaspari, T.A., Kairuz, E.M., Dusting, G.J., Woods, R.L., 2005, Atrial natriuretic peptide preserves endothelial function during intimal hyperplasia, Journal of Vascular Research, vol 42, issue 2, S Karger AG, Switzerland, pp. 101-110.

Hannan, R.E., Gaspari, T.A., Davis, E.A., Widdop, R.E., 2004, Differential regulation by AT1 and AT2 receptors of angiotensin II-stimulated cyclic GMP production in rat uterine artery and aorta, British Journal of Pharmacology, vol 141, issue 6, Nature Publishing Group, UK, pp. 1024-1031.

Widdop, R.E., Jones, E.S., Hannan, R.E., Gaspari, T.A., 2003, Angiotensin AT2 receptors: cardiovascular hope or hype?, British Journal of Pharmacology, vol 140, issue 5, Nature Publishing Group, London England, pp. 809-824.

Postgraduate Research Supervisions

Current Supervision

Program of Study:

(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).

Thesis Title:

AT4R/ IRAP AS A TARGET FOR PROTECTION IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE.

Supervisors:

Gaspari, T (Main), Widdop, R (Associate).

Completed Supervision

Student:

Tesanovic Kljajic, S.

Program of Study:

Vaso- and athero- protective effects of non-AT1 receptors in apolipoprotein-E deficient mice. (PHD) 2009.

Supervisors:

Widdop, R (Main), Gaspari, T (Associate).

Student:

Vinh, A.

Program of Study:

Angiotensin IV-evoked modulation of vascular function and atherogenesis in ApoE-deficient mice. (PHD) 2008.

Supervisors:

Gaspari, T (Joint), Widdop, R (Joint-Co), Dear, A (Associate).