Physician Profile

Christopher D. Kontos, MD

Education:
Medical School:
Medical College of Virginia, MD, 1989

Residency:
Medical College of Virginia, Medicine, 1989-1993

Fellowship:
Duke University Medical Center, North Carolina, Cardiology, 1993-1997

Clinical Interests/Specialties:
General cardiology

Research:
The focus of my laboratory is the study of endothelial signaling pathways that regulate angiogenesis and vascular remodeling. Understanding these processes has implications for the treatment of a variety of diseases, including atherosclerosis, restenosis, ischemic vascular diseases, cancer, and diabetic retinopathy. Current studies are directed toward two general areas: (1) The endothelial receptor tyrosine kinases and their ligands, with particular emphasis on Tie2 and the Angiopoietins, and (2) Phosphoinositide 3-kinase and the phosphoinositide phosphatases PTEN and SHIP. Ongoing studies are investigating the roles of these proteins in models of atherosclerosis, tumor angiogenesis, exercise, heart failure, and hindlimb ischemia, using transgenic and knockout mice and following adenoviral gene delivery. In vitro studies are directed at the mechanisms regulating activity and turnover of each of these proteins. The overall goal of our work is a comprehensive analysis of the molecular signaling events regulated by each of these proteins and correlation with the physiological responses that they mediate.

Hospital Affiliations:
Duke University Medical Center