Fruzsina K. Johnson
Assistant Professor of Medicine
M.D., Semmelweis University (Hungary)
Office: 210-567-0583
Email: johnsonf@uthscsa.edu
Keywords
KEYWORDS
Research Summary
Dr. Johnson's research interests include cardiovascular function, microcirculation and vascular pathophysiology, mechanisms of hypertension, and biological roles for porphyrin and gaseous messengers. Her early work demonstrated the importance of endogenously-formed carbon monoxide as a messenger within the vasculature. In subsequent studies, Dr. Johnson has provided compelling evidence that endogenously-formed carbon monoxide not only promotes relaxation of vascular smooth muscle, but can promote vasoconstriction by interfering with the vasodilatory actions of the nitric oxide system. Her research has profound implications as it suggests that endogenously-formed carbon monoxide may contribute to endothelial dysfunction and promote vasospasticity in certain hypertensive models and pathological conditions.