Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Centre

Neil A. Turner

Lecturer

Cardiovascular and Neuronal Remodelling

Qualifications: BSc (Hons.), PhD

Email: N.A.Turner@leeds.ac.uk

Telephone: 0113 343 5890

Research Area

Cardiovascular cell signalling, with particular focus on the cardiac fibroblast

Details

My research is focused on understanding key intracellular signalling mechanisms that regulate adverse remodelling of the cardiovascular system, with particular focus on cardiac fibroblasts. These are an important (though often overlooked) cell type that maintain the structural integrity of the heart and play a key role in scar formation and remodelling after myocardial infarction, but also in pathological cardiac fibrosis. By studying the mechanisms underlying key functions of cardiac fibroblasts it is hoped that we may uncover novel therapeutic targets for reducing adverse cardiac remodelling in man.  
 

Recent Projects

Modulation of myocardial remodelling by fibroblast-selective inhibition of p38-alpha signalling.
British Heart Foundation Project Grant, 2012-2015, £218,278.
NA Turner, JFX Ainscough, MJ Drinkhill, KE Porter.

Modulation of myocardial remodelling by fibroblast-selective inhibition of interleukin-1 signalling.
British Heart Foundation Project Grant, 2012-2015, £241,642.
NA Turner, JFX Ainscough, MJ Drinkhill, KE Porter, SG Ball.

Regulation of cardiac fibrosis through cardiomyocyte specific AT1 receptor dependent  mechanisms: an inducible transgenic approach. British Heart Foundation Project Grant, 2010-2013, £199,141.
JFX Ainscough, MJ Drinkhill, NA Turner, SG Ball.

The Rho/Rho kinase pathway as a mediator of aberrant vascular smooth muscle cell function in patients with diabetes. Biomedical Health Research Centre (BHRC) Problem Solving Fund, 2009-2010, £10,450.
KE Porter, IC Wood, NA Turner, DJ O’Regan.

Expression, regulation and function of p38 MAP kinase subtypes in human cardiac myofibroblasts. British Heart Foundation Project Grant, 2006-2009, £133,155.
NA Turner, KE Porter.

Cardiovascular Proteomics. Research Councils UK Academic Fellowship, 2005-2010, £125,000.
NA Turner.

Publications

Selected

Turner NA; Porter KE (2012) Regulation of myocardial matrix metalloproteinase expression and activity by cardiac fibroblasts. IUBMB LIFE, 64 , pp. 143-150.

Turner NA (2011) Therapeutic regulation of cardiac fibroblast function: Targeting stress-activated protein kinase pathways. Future Cardiology, 7 (5), pp. 673-691.

Turner NA; Warburton P; O'Regan DJ; Ball SG; Porter KE (2010) Modulatory effect of interleukin-1 alpha on expression of structural matrix proteins, MMPs and TIMPs in human cardiac myofibroblasts: Role of p38 MAP kinase. MATRIX BIOLOGY, 29 , pp. 613-620.

All

Turner NA; Porter KE (2012) Regulation of myocardial matrix metalloproteinase expression and activity by cardiac fibroblasts. IUBMB LIFE, 64 , pp. 143-150.

Nintasen R; Riches K; Mughal RS; Viriyavejakul P; Chaisri U; Maneerat Y; Turner NA; Porter KE (2012) Divergent effects of 17-β-estradiol on human vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cell function diminishes TNF-α-induced neointima formation. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 420 (4), pp. 828-833.

Ketheeswaranathan P; Turner NA; Spary EJ; Batten TFC; McColl BW; Saha S (2011) Changes in glutamate transporter expression in mouse forebrain areas following focal ischemia. BRAIN RESEARCH, 1418 , pp. 93-103.

Porter KE; Turner NA (2011) Statins and myocardial remodelling: cell and molecular pathways. EXPERT REVIEWS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE, 13 .

Maqbool A; Keswani A; Galloway S; O'Regan DJ; Ball SG; Turner NA; Porter KE (2011) MMP-3 (5A/6A) Polymorphism Does Not Influence Human Smooth Muscle Cell Invasion. Journal of Surgical Research, .

Turner NA (2011) Therapeutic regulation of cardiac fibroblast function: Targeting stress-activated protein kinase pathways. Future Cardiology, 7 (5), pp. 673-691.

Turner NA; Warburton P; O'Regan DJ; Ball SG; Porter KE (2010) Modulatory effect of interleukin-1 alpha on expression of structural matrix proteins, MMPs and TIMPs in human cardiac myofibroblasts: Role of p38 MAP kinase. MATRIX BIOLOGY, 29 , pp. 613-620.

Mughal RS; Scragg JL; Lister P; Warburton P; Riches K; O'Regan DJ; Ball SG; Turner NA; Porter KE (2010) Cellular mechanisms by which proinsulin C-peptide prevents insulin-induced neointima formation in human saphenous vein. DIABETOLOGIA, 53 , pp. 1761-1771.

Maqbool A; Turner NA; Galloway S; Riches K; O'Regan DJ; Porter KE (2009) The-1562C/T MMP-9 promoter polymorphism does not predict MMP-9 expression levels or invasive capacity in saphenous vein smooth muscle cells cultured from different patients. ATHEROSCLEROSIS, 207 , pp. 458-465.

Madi HA; Riches K; Warburton P; O'Regan DJ; Turner NA; Porter KE (2009) Inherent differences in morphology, proliferation, and migration in saphenous vein smooth muscle cells cultured from nondiabetic and Type 2 diabetic patients. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY, 297 , pp. C1307-C1317.

Turner NA; Das A; Warburton P; O'Regan DJ; Ball SG; Porter KE (2009) Interleukin-1 alpha stimulates proinflammatory cytokine expression in human cardiac myofibroblasts. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-HEART AND CIRCULATORY PHYSIOLOGY, 297 , pp. H1117-H1127.

Riches K; Morley ME; Turner NA; O'Regan DJ; Ball SG; Peers C; Porter KE (2009) Chronic hypoxia inhibits MMP-2 activation and cellular invasion in human cardiac myofibroblasts. JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY, 47 , pp. 391-399.

Ainscough JFX; Drinkhill MJ; Sedo A; Turner NA; Brooke DA; Balmforth AJ; Ball SG (2009) Angiotensin II type-1 receptor activation in the adult heart causes blood pressure-independent hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction. CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH, 81 , pp. 592-600.

Mughal RS; Warburton P; O'Regan DJ; Ball SG; Turner NA; Porter KE (2009) PEROXISOME PROLIFERATOR-ACTIVATED RECEPTOR gamma-INDEPENDENT EFFECTS OF THIAZOLIDINEDIONES ON HUMAN CARDIAC MYOFIBROBLAST FUNCTION. CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, 36 , pp. 478-486.

Mughal RS; Turner NA; Porter KE (2008) Thiazolidinediones modulate human cardiac fibroblast function independently of PPAR gamma activation. HEART, 94 .

Turner NA; Warburton P; Porter KE (2008) IL10 selectively reduces expression of IL6, but not IL1 beta or TNF alpha, in human cardiac fibroblasts. HEART, 94 .

Turner NA; Mughal RS; Warburton P; O'Regan DJ; Ball SG; Porter KE (2007) Mechanism of TNF alpha-induced IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6 expression in human cardiac fibroblasts: Effects of statins and thiazolidinediones. CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH, 76 , pp. 81-90.

Turner NA; Midgley L; O'Regan DJ; Porter KE (2007) Comparison of the efficacies of five different statins on inhibition of human saphenous vein smooth muscle cell proliferation and invasion. JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY, 50 , pp. 458-461.

Turner NA; Aley PK; Hall KT; Warburton P; Galloway S; Midgley L; O'Regan DJ; Wood IC; Ball SG; Porter KE (2007) Simvastatin inhibits TNF alpha-induced invasion of human cardiac myofibroblasts via both MMP-9-dependent and -independent mechanisms. JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY, 43 , pp. 168-176.

Turner NA; Hall KT; Ball SG; Porter KE (2007) Selective gene silencing of either MMP-2 or MMP-9 inhibits invasion of human saphenous vein smooth muscle cells. ATHEROSCLEROSIS, 193 , pp. 36-43.

Turner NA; Hall KT; Ball SG; Porter KE (2007) Selective gene silencing of either MMP-2 or MMP-9 inhibits invasion of human saphenous vein smooth muscle cells.. Atherosclerosis, 193 (1), pp. 36-43.

Turner NA; Ho S; Warburton P; O'Regan DJ; Porter KE (2007) Smooth muscle cells cultured from human saphenous vein exhibit increased proliferation, invasion, and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in vitro compared with paired internal mammary artery cells. JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY, 45 , pp. 1022-1028.

Savva J; Maqbool A; Turner NA; Warburton P; Ball SG; Balmforth AJ (2006) Identification of haplotypes of the human A(2c)-adrenergic receptor and their associated function. HEART, 92 .

Turner NA; O'Regan DJ; Ball SG; Porter KE (2005) Simvastatin inhibits MMP-9 secretion from human saphenous vein smooth muscle cells by inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK pathway and reducing MMP-9 mRNA levels. The FASEB Journal, 19 (7), pp. 1-21.

Turner NA; O'Regan DJ; Ball SG; Porter KE (2005) Simvastatin inhibits MMP-9 secretion from human saphenous vein smooth muscle cells by inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK pathway and reducing MMP-9 mRNA levels. FASEB JOURNAL, 19 , pp. 804-+.

Porter KE; Turner NA; O'Regan DJ; Ball SG (2004) Tumor necrosis factor alpha induces human atrial myofibroblast proliferation, invasion and MMP-9 secretion: inhibition by simvastatin. CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH, 64 , pp. 507-515.

Turner NA; O'Regan DJ; Ball SG; Porter KE (2004) Endothelin-1 is an essential co-factor for beta(2)-adrenergic receptor-induced proliferation of human cardiac fibroblasts. FEBS LETTERS, 576 , pp. 156-160.

Porter KE; Turner NA; O'Regan DJ; Balmforth AJ; Ball SG (2004) Simvastatin reduces human atrial myofibroblast proliferation independently of cholesterol lowering via inhibition of RhoA. CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH, 61 , pp. 745-755.

Turner NA; Porter KE; Smith WHT; White HL; Ball SG; Balmforth AJ (2003) Chronic beta(2)-adrenergic receptor stimulation increases proliferation of human cardiac fibroblasts via an autocrine mechanism. CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH, 57 , pp. 784-792.

Porter KE; Naik J; Turner NA; Dickinson T; Thompson MM; London NJM (2002) Simvastatin inhibits human saphenous vein neointima formation via inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY, 36 , pp. 150-157.

Porter KE; Turner NA (2002) Statins for the prevention of vein graft stenosis: a role for inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-9. BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS, 30 , pp. 120-126.

Turner NA; Ball SG; Balmforth AJ (2001) The mechanism of angiotensin Ii-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 activation is independent of angiotensin AT(1A) receptor internalisation. CELLULAR SIGNALLING, 13 , pp. 269-277.

Turner NA; Xia F; Azhar G; Zhang X; Liu L; Wei JY (1998) Oxidative stress induces DNA fragmentation and caspase activation via the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase pathway in H9c2 cardiac muscle cells. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, 30 , pp. 1789-1801.

Goodall AR; Turner NA; Walker JH; Ball SG; Vaughan PFT (1997) Activation of protein kinase C-alpha and translocation of the myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate correlate with phorbol ester-enhanced noradrenaline release from SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. . Journal of Neurochemistry, 68 (1), pp. 392-401.

Turner NA; Walker JH; Ball SG; Vaughan PFT (1996) Down-regulation or long-term inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) reduces noradrenaline release evoked via either PKC-dependent or PKC-independent pathways in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. . Neuroscience Letters, 220 , pp. 37-40.

Turner NA; Walker JH; Ball SG; Vaughan PFT (1996) Phorbol ester-enhanced noradrenaline secretion correlates with the presence and activity of protein kinase C-alpha in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. . Journal of Neurochemistry, 66 (6), pp. 2381-2389.

Turner NA; Ball SG; McMorris FA; Rumsby MG; Vaughan PFT; Walker JH (1994) A Role for protein kinase C subtypes alpha and epsilon in phorbol-ester-enhanced K+ - and carbachol-evoked noradrenaline release from the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y. . Biochemical Journal, 297 , pp. 407-413.

Teaching Commitments

MBChB Year 1 - Introduction to Medical Science (MEDI1216) - Topic Lead and Lecturer for Membranes, Lipids and Signalling work package.
 
MBChB Year 1 - Research, Evaluation and Special Studies 1 (MEDI1213) - RESS Tutor.
 
MBChB Year 2 - Student Selected Components - SSC2.1 tutor.
 
MBChB Personal tutor (Years 1 & 2).

 

Widening Participation

Cafe Scientifique talk
Primary School science day
Secondary School science careers day
Year 10 work experience pupil