Hossein Ardehali, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine

Dr. Ardehali received a BS in computer science from the University of Utah.  He completed the Medical Scientist Training Program at Vanderbilt University, where he earned his MD and a PhD in molecular physiology and biophysics.  Dr. Ardehali completed both an internal medicine residency and a cardiology fellowship at Johns Hopkins University.

The focus of Dr. Ardehali's research is the role of mitochondria and cellular metabolism in cardiovascular disease. His research team is pursuing new knowledge within the following projects.

Analysis of the role of the mitochondrial ATP-binding cassette protein-1 (mABC1) in cellular protection. mABC1 is a mitochondrial membrane protein whose function is not yet characterized. In preliminary studies, Dr. Ardehali's group showed that mABC1 plays a protective role in isolated cardiomyocytes. They are currently studying the function of this protein.

Hexokinases and cell death. Hexokinases are enzymes that carry out the initial step in the process of glucose metabolism. These enzymes also bind to the mitochondrial membrane and prevent translocation of pro-apoptotic molecules (such as Bax) into the mitochondria. This process, which is not fully understood, is being investigated by Dr. Ardehali and his researchers.

	Overexpression of mABC1-GFP protein in HEK293 cells shows co-localization of the protein with the mitochondrial marker TMRE.
	Overexpression of truncated mABC2-GFP fusion protein, lacking the mitochondrial targeting signal, forms aggregates within HeLa cells.
	Overexpression of hexokinase I and II and their truncated forms in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes.

Functional characterization of sucrose nonfermenting-1 (NSF1) related kinase (SNRK). SNRK is a novel protein with sequence homology to AMP kinases. However, its function is not yet delineated. Dr. Ardehali's team is conducting studies to characterize the primary function of this protein.

Role of microRNAs in myocardial ischemic damage. 

MicroRNAs are single-stranded RNAs that regulate gene expression. They are known to play a major role in various human disorders. Dr. Ardehali's research group is studying changes in  the microRNA profile in myocardial cells in response to hypoxia.  

Selected Recent Publications

Sun, L.; Shukair, S.; Naik, T.J.; Moazed, F.; Ardehali, H. Glucose phosphorylation and mitochondrial binding are required for the protective effects of hexokinase I and II.  Mol. Cell. Biol. 2008, 28(3), 1007-1017.

Leyngold, I.; Baughman, K.; Kasper, E.; Ardehali, H. Comparison of survival among patients with connective tissue disease and cardiomyopathy (systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and undifferentiated disease).  Am. J. Cardiol. 2007, 100(3), 513-517.

Burke, M.A.; Ardehali, H.  Mitochondrial ATP-binding cassette proteins.  Transl. Res. 2007, 150(2), 73-80.

Ardehali, H.  Signaling mechanisms in ischemic preconditioning: interaction of PKCepsilon and MitoK(ATP) in the inner membrane of mitochondria.  Circ. Res. 2006, 99(8), 798-800.

Bowers, M.; Ardehali, H.  TOM20 and the heartbreakers: evidence for the role of mitochondrial transport proteins in cardioprotection.  J. Mol. Cell. Cardiol. 2006, 41(3), 406-409.

Ardehali, H.; Xue, T.; Dong, P.; Machamer, C. Targeting of the mitochondrial membrane proteins to the cell surface for functional studies.  Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 2005, 338(2), 1143-1151.

Ardehali, H.; Howard, D.L.; Hariri, A.; Qasim, A.; Hare, J.M.; Baughman, K.L.; Kasper, E.K. A positive endomyocardial biopsy result for sarcoid is associated with poor prognosis in patients with initially unexplained cardiomyopathy.  Am. Heart J. 2005, 150(3), 459-463.

Ardehali H, O'Rourke B, Marbán E. Cardioprotective role of the mitochondrial ATP-binding cassette protein 1.  Circ. Res. 2005, 97(8), 740-742.

A comprehensive search of Dr. Ardehali's publications is accessible through PubMed.

Please visit Dr. Ardehali's Laboratory Webpage