Majka Laboratory

Our lab studies how mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPC) regulate lung microvascular function and dysregulated angiogenesis as well as how  these processes contribute to the development or severity of chronic lung diseases (including fibrosis, emphysema as well as pulmonary hypertension).

Lab Resources and Services

Goodman 810-814

The Majka lab has identified and characterized a novel population of lung mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPC) as a regulator of microvascular function, structure and homeostasis. Her lab has developed techniques to isolate, differentiate and analyze murine and human mesenchymal stem cell phenotype, proliferation, inflammation, migration and matrix synthesis both in vitro and in vivo.  To complement in vivo models of disease the laboratory has developed a method for mesenchymal, endothelial and smooth muscle differentiation of murine and human iPS cells.

Current Projects

• Role of Lung MSC in Emphysema
• Lung MSC regulate Angiogenesis and Repair during Fibrosis
• Adult Mesenchymal Progenitor (MPC) Regulation of Early Pathogenesis in TSC

Personnel

Principal Investigator
Susan Majka, PhD

Professor of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine
Department of Biomedicl Research
National Jewish Health, Denver CO

Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care
Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Aurora CO

Lab Members

Julie Harral, M.S., Lab Manager
Megan Summers, M.S., Senior Lab Researcher
Emily Staker, B.A.,Lab Research Technician
Corrie Pierce, B.A., Coordinator, Department of Medicine

Opportunities

Motivated students and postdoctoral researchers are always welcome!

Publications

Yuan T, Volckaert T, Redente EF, Hopkins S, Klinkhammer K, Wasnick R, Chao CM, Yuan J, Zhang JS, Yao C, Majka S, Stripp BR, Günther A, Riches DWH, Bellusci S, Thannickal VJ, De Langhe SP. FGF10-FGFR2B Signaling Generates Basal Cells and Drives Alveolar Epithelial Regeneration by Bronchial Epithelial Stem Cells after Lung Injury. Stem Cell Reports. 2019 May 14;12(5):1041-1055. doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.04.003. Epub 2019 May 2. PubMed PMID: 31056475; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6524168. Abstract

Morrison RJ, Katsantonis NG, Motz KM, Hillel AT, Garrett CG, Netterville JL, Wootten CT, Majka SM, Blackwell TS, Drake WP, Gelbard A. Pathologic Fibroblasts in Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis Amplify Local Inflammatory Signals. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019 Jan;160(1):107-115. doi: 10.1177/0194599818803584. Epub 2018 Oct 16. PubMed PMID: 30322354; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6389372. Abstract

Bloodworth NC, Clark CR, West JD, Snider JC, Gaskill C, Shay S, Scott C, Bastarache J, Gladson S, Moore C, D'Amico R, Brittain EL, Tanjore H, Blackwell TS, Majka SM, Merryman WD. Bone Marrow-Derived Proangiogenic Cells Mediate Pulmonary Arteriole Stiffening via Serotonin 2B Receptor Dependent Mechanism. Circ Res. 2018 Dec 7;123(12):e51-e64. doi: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.313397. PubMed PMID: 30566041; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6309812. Abstract

View all Publications