Basil Petrof, MD

Primary Axis: 
Respiratory Health
Email: 
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Research Focus: 

Research has been focused on the study of respiratory muscle dysfunction, injury and repair. We have interest in primary neuromuscular disorders affecting respiration, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which is the most common X-linked lethal disease in humans. In addition, we are studying other pathological states in which weakness and fatigue of the respiratory muscles are found, such as pneumonia and septicemia. Major areas of interest include the role of free radicals in diaphragmatic dysfunction, the role of cytokines and chemokines in muscle injury and repair, and methods for muscle targeting with therapeutic genes using different viral and non-viral vector systems. The laboratory makes use of genetically altered mouse models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Cystic Fibrosis, as well as primary diaphragm and limb muscle culture systems, to elucidate the cellular and molecular events underlying muscle cell injury and repair.Neuromusculor disorders and respiration, gene therapy, respiratory muscle dysfunction in sepsis, role of free radicals, cytokines and chemokines in muscle injury and repair

Keywords: 
Neuromusculor disorders and respiration, gene therapy, respiratory muscle dysfunction in sepsis, role of free radicals, cytokines and chemokines in muscle injury and repair
Location: 
Royal Victoria Hospital
Publications:
Divangahi M, Matecki S, Dudley RW, Tuck SA, Bao W, Radzioch D, Comtois AS, Petrof BJ. Preferential diaphragmatic weakness during sustained Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2004; 169:679-686. (See Editorial Comment).
Ebihara S, Hussain SN, Danialou G, Cho WK, Gottfried SB, Petrof BJ. Mechanical ventilation protects against diaphragm injury in sepsis: interaction of oxidative and mechanical stresses. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2002; 165:221-228. (See Editorial Comment).
Danialou G, Comtois AS, Dudley RW, Nalbantoglu J, Gilbert R, Karpati G, Jones DH, Petrof BJ. Ultrasound increases plasmid-mediated gene transfer to dystrophic muscles without collateral damage. Molecular Therapy 2002; 5:687-693.