Margaret E. Wierman Professor Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics M.D., Baylor College of Medicine Campus Box 8106 Cancer Research Tower (RC1-South), Room 7120 S/M Endocrinology/Metabolism/Diabetes Tel: 303-724-3952 Margaret.Wierman@UCDenver.edu

Research Interests:

Our lab is interested in the ontogeny of the GnRH neuronal system, the developmental control of GnRH synthesis by peptide and steroid hormones and regulation of neuronal migration. Insight into the control of the GnRH neuronal network may shed light on the normal physiology of the reproductive axis, a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the system and new treatment options.

A translational area of interest for the lab is the molecular pathogenesis of human pituitary tumors. Using gene arrays we have identified novel genes involved in pituitary tumorigenesis causing proliferation, migration and invasion. Study of human tumors and use of mouse models and cell systems may give new clinical markers for aggressiveness and lead to new treatments for our patients.

Other projects include:

-In collaboration with Wendy Kohrt we are asking the effects of gonadal sex hormones on body fat distribution and metabolism.

-Understanding the role of sex steroids in recovery from traumatic brain injury: we are collaborating with investigators at Craig Rehabilitation hospital to study the effects of testosterone replacement after TBI.

-In collaboration with Elizabeth Connick we are examining the role of estrogens and progestin in chemokine receptor transduction of HIV infection.

Selected Publications

Cary LS, Xu M, Ertel J, Kleinschmidt-DeMasters BK, Lillehei K, Matsuoka I, Nielsen-Preiss S, Wierman ME: Bone Morphogenetic protein and retinoic acid inducible neural specific protein-3 (BRINP3) is expressed in gonadotrope cell pituitary adenomas and induces proliferation, migration and invasion gonadotropinomas. Endocrinology 2007 Mar;148(3):967-75. Epub 2006 Nov 30.

Allen MP, Nielson-Preiss SM, Xu M, Linseman DA, Pawlowski JE, Bouchard R, Heidenreich KA, Wierman ME: Adhesion Related Kinase Induction of Migration Requires PI3-kinase and Ras Stimulation of Rac Activity in immortalized GnRH neuronal cells. Endocrinology. 2007;148:2806-14.

Rothman MS, Arciniegas DB, Filley CM, Wierman ME: The neuroendocrine effects of traumatic brain injury. J Neuropyschiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. 2007;19:363-72..

Schwarting G, Wierman ME, Tobet S: GnRH Neuronal Migration. 2007;25:305-12.

Wierman ME, Kohrt WM: Vascular and metabolic effects of sex steroids: new insights into clinical trials. Reprod Med 2007 25:305-12.

Pierce AM, Bliesner B, Xu M, Nielsen-Preiss S, Lemke G, Tobet S, Wierman ME: Axl and tyro3 modulate female reproduction by influencing gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neuron survival and migration. Molecular Endocrinology 2008 22:2481-95.

Xu M, Shorts-Cary L, DeMasters BK, Lillehei K, Wierman ME: Epidermal growth factor substrate (Eps8) is upregulated in human pituitary tumors: role in proliferation and survival. Endocrinology Epub Dec 2008.

Carlson NE, Brenner LA, Wierman ME, Harrison-Felix C, Morey C, Gallagher S, Ripley D: Hypogonadism on admission to acute rehabilitation is correlated with lower functional status at admission and discharge. In press, Brain Injury 2009.

Latest Publications in PubMed