March 22nd, CICMD Seminar, Dr.Annet Kirabo, D.V.M., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Immune Mechanisms of Salt Sensitive Hypertension

In-Person Seminar: COMM (HSC) C1-009
Lecture Hall
11:00 am to 12:00 PM.

Dr. Annette Kirabo is an Associate Professor of Medicine, Clinical Pharmacology, Associate Professor in
the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics at Vanderbilt Institute for Infection,
Immunology and Inflammation. The current goal of her research program is to define the molecular
mechanisms underlying activation of the immune system in response to hypertensive stimuli including
excess dietary salt, sympathetic nerve outflow, and oxidative stress. Her group is attempting to uncover
the mechanisms by which hypertensive stimuli lead to accumulation of isolevuglandins (IsoLGs) in
antigen presenting cells and how these may activate the immune system. They are using novel cuttingedge
methods to isolate MHC-associated peptides, and use mass spectrometry and proteomics to
identify IsoLG-modified peptides presented by MHCs in hypertension. Their goal is to use these modified
peptides to design immunotherapeutic approaches in hypertension and cardiovascular disease.