Education and Outreach

Mark F. Cesta, D.V.M.

Division of Biological Sciences

Education

Undergraduate studies, biological sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 1983-1993.
D.V.M., College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 1997.
Ph.D. program, cell biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 2000-present.
Postdoctoral training, Toxicologic Pathology Training Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 2003-present.
Postdoctoral training, Division of Biological Sciences, CIIT Centers for Health Research, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 2004-present.
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Pathologists, 2004.

Research

My research under the direction of Dr. James Bonner involves regulation of platelet-derived growth factor C (PDGF-C) expression in mouse and human lung fibroblasts and possibly in human pulmonary smooth muscle cells. We are using RT-PCR to detect PDGF-C mRNA expression in cell cultures in vitro and in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice in vivo. We are also using immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization to identify in-vivo expression patterns in mice. To determine which factors are important in regulating PDGF-C expression, we will expose in-vitro cell cultures to bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from bleomycin-exposed mice. Inhibition via neutralizing antibodies and other techniques will then be used to identify factors in the BAL fluid that contribute to PDGF-C expression.

Publications

Cesta, M. F., Baty, C. J., Smoak, I. W., Keene, B. W., and Malarkey, D. E. (2004). End-stage remodeling in a family of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Vet. Pathol. In press.

Ellinwood, N. M., Wang, P., Skeen, T., Sharp, N. J., Cesta, M., Decker, S., Edwards, N. J., Bublot, I., Thompson, J. N., Bush, W., Hardam, E., Haskins, M. E., and Giger, U. (2003). A model of mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB (Sanfilippo syndrome type IIIB): N-acetyl-alpha-D-glucosaminidase deficiency in Schipperke dogs. J. Inherit Metab. Dis. 26, 489-504.

Kalema-Zikusoka, G., Wolfe, B., Cesta, M., and Rotstein, D. (2003). Management of multiple intra-hepatic biliary cysts in a desert rosy boa (Lichanura trivirgata gracia). J. Herpatol. Med. Surg. 13, 20-22.

Juopperi, T. A., Cesta, M., Tomlinson, L., and Grindem, C. B. (2003). Extensive cutaneous metastases in a dog with duodenal adenocarcinoma. Vet. Clin. Pathol. 32, 88-91.