Patricia A. Hebda, Associate Professor
Director, Otolaryngology Wound Healing Research Program
PhD, Ohio State University, 1978
Email: hebda@pitt.edu
Home Page:
Research Interests:
1. Wound Healing and Tissue Engineering for applications in the skin and upper airway:
Although wound healing research has been extensively explored in the skin, very little work has been done to investigate mucosal wound healing. The field of otolaryngology presents numerous clinical scenarios of problematic wound healing of mucosal tissues, including subglottic stenosis, chronic suppurative otitis media, and sinusitis. Our fundamental purpose is to develop new, biologically driven therapeutic modalities to promote and optimize wound healing of the upper digestive system. In order to achieve this goal, we have projects based on: 1) the application of molecular biology to analyze fetal vs adult wound healing, 2) cell therapy to regulate wound healing and reduce scarring, 3) tissue engineering of soft and hard connective tissues of the upper aerodigestive tract, and 4) development of animal and tissue culture models to understand the mechanisms of ideal tissue repair. With the exploration of the fetal wound environment, which heals without scarring, and using the powerful tools of molecular biology, there is the potential for new far-reaching insight into biological therapies for optimizing the course of wound healing of the mucosa, the skin and other organs and tissues.
2. Pathogenesis of Inflammation in Otitis Media:
In this area, our laboratory is focused upon understanding the molecular signaling associated with mucosal inflammation using animal models of acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion (induced by Eustachian tube obstruction) and chronic suppurative otitis media. In addition we have established in vitro culture systems for further study of middle ear mucosal tissue and its changes associated with otitis media. We use molecular, biochemical and physiologic analytic tools to investigate changes in cells and tissue that contribute to disease pathogenesis.
Recent Publication
Sandulache VC, Dohar JE, Hebda PA (2005): Fibroblast transplantation in the airway: implications for subglottic stenosis. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg; 131:1090-1096.
Satish L, James Lyons-Weiler J, Hebda PA, Wells A (2006): Gene expression patterns in isolated keloid fibroblasts. Wound Repair Regen 14:463-470.
Sandulache VC, Parekh A, Li-Korotky HS, Dohar JE, Hebda PA (2006): Prostaglandin E2 differentially modulates human fetal and adult dermal fibroblast migration and contraction: implication for wound healing. Wound Repair Regen 14:633-643.
Sandulache VC, Parekh A, Li-Korotky HS, Dohar JE, Hebda PA (2007): Prostaglandin E2 inhibits keloid fibroblast migration, contraction and TGF¦Â1 induced collagen synthesis, but endogenous prostaglandin E2 synthesis is impaired. Wound Repair Regen 15:122-133.
Chafin JB, Sandulache VC, Dunkelbarger JL, Otteson TD, Hoffmann P, Hebda PA, Dohar JE. (2007) Graded CO2 laser induced subglottic injury in the rabbit model. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 133:358-364.
Sandulache VC, Chafin JB, Li-Korotky HS, Otteson T, Dohar JE, Hebda PA. (2007) Elucidating the role of interleukin-1¦Â and prostaglandin E2 in upper airway mucosal wound healing. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 133:365-374.
Parekh A, Sandulache VC, Lieb AS, Dohar JE, Hebda PA. (2007) Differential regulation of free floating collagen gel contraction by human fetal and adult dermal fibroblasts in response to prostaglandin E2 mediated by an EP2/cAMP-dependent mechanism. Wound Repair Regen 15:390-398.
Li-Korotky HS, Hebda PA, Lo CY, Dohar JE. (2007) Age-dependent expression of fibronectin variants in airway and skin wounds. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 133:919-924.
