Division of Respirology

Luke Jeffrey Janssen

B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Professor, Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine

 

 

 

Research Interests

  • Smooth muscle physiology
  • Electrophysiology
  • Ion channels
  • Ca2+ -handling
  • Contraction / relaxation of smooth muscle
  • Isoprostane biology
  • Confocal calcium fluorimetry

Education and Professional Standing Awards and Distinctions

  • CIHR Scientist Award (1999-2004)
  • Premier's Research Excellence Award (2000-2003)
  • B. Sc. (Biochemistry; 1984) McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
  • M. Sc. (Medical Sciences - Neurosciences; 1987) McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
  • Ph. D. (Medical Sciences - Physiology and Pharmacology; 1990) McMaster University,
    Hamilton, Ontario

Funding

Canadian Institutes of Health Research: "Isoprostane-mediated regulation of airway and vascular smooth muscle" (07/03 - 07/08)

Canadian Institutes of Health Research: "Ionic mechanisms underlying asthma and airway hyperreactivity" (05/02 - 05/06)

Selected Publications

  1. Vasoconstrictor responses, and underlying mechanisms, to isoprostanes in human and porcine bronchial arterial smooth muscle. Br J Pharm 140:759-763, 2003
  2. Pulmonary biology of isoprostanes. Chem Phys Lipids 128:101-116, 2004
  3. Enhanced myosin phosphatase and Ca2+ -uptake mediate adrenergic relaxation of airway smooth muscle. Am J Resp Cell Mole Biol 30:548-554, 2004
  4. KCl evokes contraction of airway smooth muscle via activation of RhoA and Rho-kinase. Am J Physiol 287: L852-858, 2004
  5. Alteration of arterial smooth muscle potassium channel composition and BK(Ca) current modulation in hypertension. Eur J Pharmacol 514:111-119, 2005
  6. Regulation of Rho/ROCK signaling in airway smooth muscle by membrane potential and [Ca2+]. Am J Physiol 289:L574-L582, 2005
  7. Membrane potassium currents in human radial artery and their regulation by nitric oxide donor. Cardiovasc Res 71:383-392, 2006
  8. Regulation of airway muscle RhoA/ROCK activities by cholinergic and relaxant stimuli. Eur Respir J 28:703-711, 2006
  9. Isoprostane-induced airway hyperresponsiveness is dependent upon Rho/ROCK signalling and internal Ca2+-handling. Am J Physiol 291:1177-1184, 2006
  10. The reverse-mode of the Na/Ca exchanger provides a source of Ca2+ for store-refilling after agonist-induced Ca2+ mobilization. Am J Physiol 292:L438-L447, 2007
  11. Isoprostanes constrict human radial artery through stimulation of thromboxane-receptors, Ca2+-release and RhoA activation. J Cardiovasc Thoracic Surg 135(1):131-8, 2008