Michael C Tranter , PhD

Doctoral Degree: University of Cincinnati 2010 (Molecular, Cellular, and Biochemical Pharmacology)

Bachelor's Degree: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 2004 (Applied Biology)

The long-term goals of my research are to increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular disease. Within this realm, the ongoing work in the laboratory is broadly centered around post-transcriptional gene regulation in the setting of (1) pathological left ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis, and (2) the mechanisms of cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion injury.
 
My laboratory has identified human antigen R (HuR) as a new player in the development of pathological cardiac hypertrophy in response to pressure overload (e.g. chronic hypertension). A recent publication from the lab shows that HuR promotes cardiomyocyte hypertrophy downstream of p38 MAP kinase in an isolated neonatal cardiomyocyte model (Slone et al, Cellular Signaling, 2016). Using a new inducible, cardiac-specific HuR knockout mouse created by our lab, we also show that deletion of HuR in the adult heart preserves cardiac function while decreasing pathological ventricular remodeling following transverse aortic constriction (TAC), a model of hypertension-induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Ongoing projects in the lab are designed to identify (1) the upstream signaling mediators of HuR in hypertrophic myocytes, and (2) the downstream target genes of HuR and the mechanisms by which regulation of these targets promotes pathology.
 
Additional projects in the lab include the role of HuR in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, ischemic preconditioning, and diet-induced obesity. Finally, we are working to develop a novel drug-screening assay to allow for high-throughput screening and identification of unique small-molecule inhibitors of HuR for validation in our cell and animal models of HuR-mediated pathology.

2012 - Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

2010 -2012 Post Doctoral Fellow, Department of Pharmacology and Cell Biophysics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH

Grant: #16SDG27360004 Investigators:Tranter, Michael 01-01-2016 -12-31-2019 American Heart Association - National Chapter Investigation of Human antigen R (HuR) as a novel mediator of cardiac hypertrophy Role:PI $77,000.00 Awarded Level:Private Non-Profit

Grant: #R01 HL132111 07-01-2015 -03-31-2021 National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Investigation of Human Antigen R (HuR) as a Novel Mediator of Cardiac Hypertrophy Role:PI $355,500.00 Awarded Level:Federal

Grant: #URC Interdisciplinary Award AY2015-16 Investigators:Sagle, Laura; Tranter, Michael 05-01-2016 -04-30-2017 UC's University Research Council DEVELOPMENT OF A MULTIPLEXED PLASMONIC NANOPARTICLE-BASED ASSAY TO IDENTIFY INHIBITERS OF HUR PROTEIN-RNA BINDING Role:PI $25,000.00 Active Level:Internal UC

Grant: #687-SUB / U54 HL119810 Investigators:Tranter, Michael 06-01-2016 -07-31-2016 National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Development of a HuR inhibitor for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy Role:PI $23,700.00 Closed Level:Federal

Grant: #R01HL141404 Investigators:Owens, Albert; Tranter, Michael 05-01-2018 -03-31-2023 National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute The role of protease-activated receptor 2 in atherosclerosis Role:Collaborator $399,792.00 Awarded Level:Federal

Grant: #134164 / T32HL1252074 Investigators:Green, Lisa; Tranter, Michael 07-02-2018 -07-01-2019 National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Understanding Cardiovascular Disease Mechanisms Role:Collaborator $33,208.00 Active Level:Federal

Grant: #19TPA34910086 Investigators:Tranter, Michael 07-01-2019 -06-30-2022 American Heart Association - National Chapter A novel role for HuR in UCP1-independent thermogenesis and energy expenditure Role:PI $100,000.00 Awarded Level:Private Non-Profit

Grant: #19IPLOI34770131 Investigators:Tranter, Michael 07-01-2019 -06-30-2021 American Heart Association - National Chapter RNA aptamer homing beacons to reduce obesity Role:PI $100,000.00 Awarded Level:Private Non-Profit

Grant: #20PRE35230020 Investigators:Slone, Samuel; Tranter, Michael 01-01-2020 -12-31-2021 American Heart Association - National Chapter HuR-dependent regulation of inflammatory remodeling following myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury Role:PI $31,016.00 Active Level:Private Non-Profit

Grant: #20PRE35210795 Investigators:Green, Lisa; Tranter, Michael 01-01-2020 -12-31-2021 American Heart Association - National Chapter The role of Human Antigen R (HuR) in pathological cardiac remodeling Role:PI $31,016.00 Awarded Level:Private Non-Profit

Investigators:Guarnieri, Adrienne; Tranter, Michael 01-01-2022 -12-31-2023 American Heart Association - National Chapter HuR mediates thermogenic metabolism in brown adipose tissue through control of sarco-endoplasmic calcium cycling Role:PI 32036.00 Hold Level:Non Profit

Grant: #R01HL158671 Investigators:Langevin, Scott; Owens, Albert; Tranter, Michael 08-01-2022 -06-30-2027 National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Post-transcriptional control of adipose tissue gene expression as an endocrine mediator of cardiac pathology Role:PI 656306.00 Awarded Level:Federal

Investigators:Parkins, Sharon; Tranter, Michael 07-01-2022 -06-30-2023 National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute T32 Molkentin Billing Agreement Role:PI 39606.00 Hold Level:Federal

Grant: #AHA 23PRE1029875 01-01-2023 -12-31-2024 American Heart Association - National Chapter HuR-Wisp1 regulation of myofibroblast activity Role:PI 32553.00 Hold Level:Non Profit

Grant: #AHA 23PRE1029875 01-01-2023 -12-31-2024 American Heart Association - National Chapter HuR-Wisp1 regulation of myofibroblast activity Role:PI 32553.00 Hold Level:Non Profit

Grant: #R01HL166326 Investigators:Kanisicak, Onur; Tranter, Michael 06-01-2023 -05-31-2027 National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Functional and mechanistic delineation of HuR-Wisp1 signaling on myofibroblast activity Role:PI 718773.00 Awarded Level:Federal

Peer Reviewed Publications

Koch, Sheryl E; Tranter, Michael; Robbins, Nathan; Luther, Kristin; Singh, Umesh; Jiang, Min; Ren, Xiaoping; Tee, Trisha; Smith, Leah; Varma, Priyanka; Jones, W Keith; Rubinstein, Jack (2013. ) Probenecid as a noninjurious positive inotrope in an ischemic heart disease murine model.Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology and therapeutics, , 18 (3 ) ,280-9 More Information

Koch, Sheryl E; Gao, Xiaoqian; Haar, Lauren; Jiang, Min; Lasko, Valerie M; Robbins, Nathan; Cai, Wenfeng; Brokamp, Cole; Varma, Priyanka; Tranter, Michael; Liu, Yong; Ren, Xiaoping; Lorenz, John N; Wang, Hong-Sheng; Jones, W Keith; Rubinstein, Jack (2012. ) Probenecid: novel use as a non-injurious positive inotrope acting via cardiac TRPV2 stimulation.Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology, , 53 (1 ) ,134-44 More Information

Robbins, Nathan; Koch, Sheryl E; Tranter, Michael; Rubinstein, Jack (2012. ) The history and future of probenecid.Cardiovascular toxicology, , 12 (1 ) ,1-9 More Information

Tranter, Michael; Liu, Yemin; He, Suiwen; Gulick, James; Ren, Xiaoping; Robbins, Jeffrey; Jones, W Keith; Reineke, Theresa M (2012. ) In vivo delivery of nucleic acids via glycopolymer vehicles affords therapeutic infarct size reduction in vivo.Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy, , 20 (3 ) ,601-8 More Information

Tranter, Michael; Helsley, Robert N; Paulding, Waltke R; McGuinness, Michael; Brokamp, Cole; Haar, Lauren; Liu, Yong; Ren, Xiaoping; Jones, W Keith (2011. ) Coordinated post-transcriptional regulation of Hsp70.3 gene expression by microRNA and alternative polyadenylation.The Journal of biological chemistry, , 286 (34 ) ,29828-37 More Information

Wilhide, Michael E; Tranter, Michael; Ren, Xiaoping; Chen, Jing; Sartor, Maureen A; Medvedovic, Mario; Jones, W Keith (2011. ) Identification of a NF-?B cardioprotective gene program: NF-?B regulation of Hsp70.1 contributes to cardioprotection after permanent coronary occlusion.Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology, , 51 (1 ) ,82-9 More Information

Tranter, Michael; Ren, Xiaoping; Forde, Tiffany; Wilhide, Michael E; Chen, Jing; Sartor, Maureen A; Medvedovic, Mario; Jones, W Keith (2010. ) NF-kappaB driven cardioprotective gene programs; Hsp70.3 and cardioprotection after late ischemic preconditioning.Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology, , 49 (4 ) ,664-72 More Information

Kwon, Ohwon; Tranter, Michael; Jones, W Keith; Sankovic, John M; Banerjee, Rupak K (2009. ) Differential translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB in a cardiac muscle cell line under gravitational changes.Journal of biomechanical engineering, , 131 (6 ) ,064503 More Information

Tranter, Michael; Jones, W Keith (2008. ) Anti-inflammatory effects of HO-1 activity in vascular endothelial cells, commentary on "Carbon monoxide donors or heme oxygenase (HO-1) overexpression blocks interleukin-18-mediated NF-kappaB-PTEN-dependent human cardiac endothelial cell death".Free radical biology & medicine, , 44 (3 ) ,261-3 More Information

Tranter M, Liu Y, He S, Gulick J, Ren X, Robbins J, Jones WK, Reineke TM. (2012. ) Delivery of NF-κB oligodeoxynucleotide decoys via glycopolymer vehicles affords therapeutic infarct size reduction in vivo. Molecular Therapy, , 20 (3 ) ,601

Tranter M and Jones WK. (2008. ) Anti-Inflammatory effects of HO-1 activity in vascular endothelial cells. Free Radical Biology and Medicine., , 44 (3 ) ,261

Slone, Samuel; Anthony, Sarah R; Wu, Xiaoqing; Benoit, Joshua B; Aube, Jeffrey; Xu, Liang; Tranter, Michael (2016. ) Activation of HuR downstream of p38 MAPK promotes cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.Cellular signalling, , 28 (11 ) ,1735-1741 More Information

Kraynik, Stephen M; Gabanic, Andrew; Anthony, Sarah R; Kelley, Melissa; Paulding, Waltke R; Roessler, Anne; McGuinness, Michael; Tranter, Michael (2015. ) The stress-induced heat shock protein 70.3 expression is regulated by a dual-component mechanism involving alternative polyadenylation and HuR.Biochimica et biophysica acta, , 1849 (6 ) ,688-96 More Information

Haar, Lauren; Ren, Xiaoping; Liu, Yong; Koch, Sheryl E; Goines, Jillian; Tranter, Michael; Engevik, Melinda A; Nieman, Michelle; Rubinstein, Jack; Jones, W Keith (2014. ) Acute consumption of a high-fat diet prior to ischemia-reperfusion results in cardioprotection through NF-?B-dependent regulation of autophagic pathways.American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology, , 307 (12 ) ,H1705-13 More Information

Smiley, Dia; Smith, Margaret A; Carreira, Vinicius; Jiang, Min; Koch, Sheryl E; Kelley, Melissa; Rubinstein, Jack; Jones, W Keith; Tranter, Michael Increased fibrosis and progression to heart failure in MRL mice following ischemia/reperfusion injury.Cardiovascular pathology : the official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Pathology, , 23 (6 ) ,327-34 More Information

Millard, Ronald W; Tranter, Michael (2014. ) Complementary, alternative, and putative nontroponin biomarkers of acute coronary syndrome: new resources for future risk assessment calculators.Revista espan?ola de cardiologi?a (English ed.), , 67 (4 ) ,312-20 More Information

Invited Presentations

Tranter, M (2013. ) • Alternative polyadenylation as a regulator of cardioprotective gene expression .University of Cincinnati, Cardiovascular Center of Excellence (CVCoE), Cincinnati, OH.

Tranter, M (2013. ) • Regulation of gene expression in cardiac preconditioning: A pattern in the chaos? .University of Cincinnati, COM Molecule to Bedside Medical Grand Rounds, Cincinnati, OH.

Tranter, M (2011. ) • Coordinated activity of microRNAs and alternative polyadenylation in cardioprotection .University of Cincinnati, Cardiovascular Center of Excellence (CVCoE), Cincinnati, OH.

Tranter, M (2011. ) • Coordinated post-transcriptional regulation of Hsp70.3 gene expression in the myocardium by miRNAs and alternative polyadenylation .Johns Hopkins University Medical Institute, Division of Cardiology, Baltimore, MD.

Tranter, M (2010. ) • The role of alternative polyadenylation in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in the heart .University of Louisville School of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Louisville, KY.

Tranter, M (2010. ) • The role of alternative polyadenylation in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in the heart .University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Baltimore, MD.

Poster Presentations

Smith L, Paulding WR, Roessler A, Gabanic A, Kelley M, Haar L, McGuinness M, Tranter M. (2012. ) Alternative Polyadenylation of Hsp70.3: Identification of regulatory RNA binding .American Society of Cell Biology National Meeting, San Francisco, CA. .

Gabanic A, Paulding WR, Roessler A, Luther K, Anthony SR, Smith L, McGuinness M, Tranter M. (2013. ) Alternative polyadenylation mediated shortening of the Hsp70.3 3’UTR increases polysome loading of the mRNA transcript. Experimental Biology, Boston, MA. .

Roessler A, Paulding WR, McGuinness M, Smith L, Gabanic A, Haar L, Tranter M. (2012. ) Alternative Polyadenylation Mediates Protein Expression of Heat Shock Protein 70.3. Gordon Research Conference: The Biology of Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation. , Newport, RI. .

Tranter M, Helsley NH, Paulding WR, McGuinness M, Brokamp C, Haar L, Ren X, Jones WK. (2011. ) Coordinated post-transcriptional regulation of Hsp70.3 gene expression in the myocardium by miRNAs and alternative polyadenylation. .Experimental Biology, Washington, DC. .

Tranter M, McGuinness M, Ren X, Haar L, Helsley RN, Paulding WR, Jones WK. (2010. ) Post-transcriptional regulation of Hsp70.3 exression in late ischemic preconditioning by alternative polyadenylation. American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, Chicago, IL. .

Tranter M, McGuinness M, Ren X, Wilhide ME, Haar L, Jones WK. (2010. ) Co-regulation of cardioprotective Hsp70.3 gene expression by NF-B, AP-1, STAT3. .Experimental Biology, Anaheim, CA. .

Haar L, Rubinstein J, Tranter M, Jiang M, Jones WK. (2010. ) Myocardial TRPV activation associated with high fat diet and cardioprotection. .Experimental Biology, Anaheim, CA. .

Helsley RN, Tranter M, Paulding WR, McGuinness M, Jones WK. (2010. ) MicroRNA regulation of Hsp70.3 protein expression after late ischemic preconditioning. .Experimental Biology, Anaheim, CA. .

Tranter M, Helsley RN, Paulding W, Ren X, Jones WK. (2009. ) NF-B regulates the Hsp70 locus in late IPC by transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms involving miRNA. .American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, Orlando, FL. .

Tranter M, Fan G, Zheng P, Ren X, Jones WK. (2009. ) Micro-RNA regulation of cardioprotective Hsp70.3 in late ischemic preconditioning. International Society for Heart Research, North American Section Meeting, Baltimore, MD. .

Tranter M, Ren X, Wilhide ME, Jones WK. (2009. ) The Hsp70.3 isoform of Hsp70, but not the Hsp70.1, contributes to NF-kappaB-dependent cardioprotection of late ischemic preconditioning. .Experimental Biology, New Orleans, LA. .

Wilhide ME, Tranter M, Ren X, Jones WK. (2009. ) Heat shock protein 70 in myocardial ischemia: Isoform specific roles? .Experimental Biology, New Orleans, LA. .

Tranter M, Forde T, Ren X, Diwan A, Liu Y, Reineke T, Dorn G, Jones WK. (2008. ) Divergent NF-B-dependent gene regulation of multiple independent pathways is required for development of late IPC induced cardioprotection. . International Society for Heart Research, North American Section Meeting, Cincinnati, OH. .

Kwon O, Tranter M, Jones WK, Sankovic JM, Banerjee RK. (2008. ) Enhanced nuclear translocation of Nuclear Factor-B in microgravity stimulated cardiocytes. .American Heart Association ATVB Conference , Atlanta, GA. .

Tranter M, Wilhide ME, Liu Y, Ren X, Reineke T, Jones WK. (2008. ) Non-viral delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids to investigate the role of transcriptional networks in the ischemic heart. .Experimental Biology, San Diego, CA. .

Wilhide ME, Tranter M, Ren X, Jones WK. (2008. ) NF-B orchestrates gene expression associated with myocardial infarction and protection. .Experimental Biology, San Diego, CA. .

Tranter M, Liu Y, Ren X, He S, Reineke T and Jones WK. (2006. ) Novel glycopolymers for delivery of transcription factor decoys in the heart. .American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, Chicago, IL. .

Tranter M, Liu Y, He S, Reineke T and Jones WK. (2006. ) Novel Glycopolymers for Delivery of Transcription Factor Decoys. IGERT National Project Meeting, Arlington, VA. .

Ren X, Brown M, Tranter M and Jones WK. (2005. ) A novel ischemia-independent cardioprotective mechanism: bradykinin-induced remote preconditioning of trauma. .American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, Dallas, TX. .

Academic - Internal Medicine
Medical Sciences Building Room 6065
Cincinnati  Ohio, 45267
Phone: 513-558-2356
trantemc@ucmail.uc.edu