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Peter Hornsby, PhD
Professor, Department of Physiology
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University of Oxford, Oxford, England | B.A., Animal Physiology |
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Institute of Cancer Research of the University of London, England | Ph.D., Cell Biology |
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University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine | Postdoctoral Studies, Biochemistry |
Tel: 210-562-5080
Email: hornsby@uthscsa.edu
Research Interests
My research concerns experimental cell transplantation. In the process, isolated human or animal cells are transplanted into a human patient or an experimental animal. In their new host, they become a functional part of the body, either by integrating into an existing tissue or alternatively by forming a new tissue or organ, in cooperation with host-derived connective tissue cells, blood vessels, and nerves.
In the cellular senescence and tumorigenesis work we have focused recently on human fibroblasts. In most of the other work we have used bovine or human adrenocortical cells.
Current projects in the lab focus on: cellular senescence, telomeres, telomerase, and tumorigenesis, including the role of the WRN (Werner) gene in genome maintenance and tumorigenesis; basic biology of the adrenal cortex, aging of the adrenal cortex, and loss of DHEA secretion, including the effect of changing morphogens on adrenocortical zonation in cell transplant model; cell therapy, including Cre/loxP technology to switch genes on in transplant; and tissue biosensors, including the use of luciferase-expressing cells in a tissue transplant as a biosensor device. |
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Experimental transplantation of adrenocortical cells is illustrated above. The host is a mouse with the severe combined immunodeficiency mutation. When the animal's own adrenal glands are removed and human or bovine adrenocortical cells are transplanted, and a small polycarbonate cylinder is inserted beneath the capsule of the kidney, a space is created into which the cells are introduced. Thirty-six days later, when the animal is examined, a pale yellow tissue is visible within the cylinder, clearly invaded by prominent blood vessels from the capsule and surrounding connective tissue.
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