Atherosclerosis and Lipoprotein Research Lab

The Laboratory of Atherosclerosis and Lipoprotein Research seeks to identify the mechanisms underlying atherogenesis and how to prevent it. Foremost among these mechanisms is reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), i.e., transfer of cholesterol from the arterial wall and other peripheral tissues to the liver for disposal. The major RCT mediator is high density lipoproteins (HDL); thus the lab’s focus is HDL biogenesis, the mechanisms by which distinct HDL subspecies are formed, and the role of specific amino acids within the major HDL proteins, apolipoprotein AI, in HDL formation. Lab staff also discovered an alternative RCT pathway and plan to further validate this pathway and determine whether it is impaired in patients with atherosclerosis.  Testing a newly-identified cholesterol-lowering bacterial protein will aid in the design of new anti-atherogenic therapies that enhance RCT.  On the clinical side, the lab participates in a large trial (LookAhead) of the effects of weight loss among obese, diabetic patients.

Our Team:

Henry J. Pownall, PhD – Scientist, Principal Investigator

Dr. Pownall’s doctoral training was in physical chemistry with postdoctoral fellowships in molecular spectroscopy at the University of Houston, and biochemistry at Baylor College of Medicine with an emphasis on lipid metabolism. Over time he moved his studies from molecules to in vivo models, studying biophysics, peptide design, lipid synthesis and enzymology, and cell and molecular biology. His work is centered on high density lipoprotein therapeutics, and energy metabolism as it relates to obesity-linked diabetes and human lipid metabolism. A major goal of his research is to determine how alcohol ingestion contributes to enhanced postprandial lipemia, attendant pancreatitis, or alcohol-induced reduction of cardiovascular disease, an effect mediated by increased HDL-cholesterol.

His research is multidisciplinary, with extensive collaboration with structural biologists, endocrinologists, and x-ray crystallographers. Structural biologists provide expertise in lipid and lipoprotein structure by electron cryo microscopy. Endocrinologists have synergistic interests in the lipid disorders found in HIV-positive patients on highly active anti retroviral therapies. X-ray crystallographers help discern the total structure of Streptococcal serum opacity factor (SOF) for determination of structure function relationships.

Dr. Pownall maintains an active academic program. He is a member of three graduate programs at Baylor College of Medicine (Structural Computational Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Cardiovascular Sciences) in which he teaches classes and serves on graduate advisory and qualifying exams committees. He is also active in community education, giving lectures on molecular ethics to local groups including several churches, home owner associations and garden clubs.