Tony Walshe, Ph.D.

Education

I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Biotechnology from Dublin City University, Ireland, then worked on my PhD under the supervision of Professor Paul Cahill at the Vascular Health Research Centre, at the same institution. This work was a collaboration with Professor Colm O'Brien at the Institute of Ophthalmology in Dublin.

Using a perfused transcapillary co-culture system of microvascular retinal endothelial cells and retinal pericytes, we examined the acute and chronic effect of pulsatile flow on the release of vasoactive mediators (nitric oxide, endothelin-1 & cyclo-oxygenase) and their subsequent role in modulating retinal vascular cell fate. I also examined the interaction and role of Notch & Hedgehog signalling molecules in modulating retinal vascular cell apoptosis exposed to pulsatile flow 

Current Research Project

I joined the D'Amore Lab in 2006, and I am currently investigating the role of TGF-beta signalling both in vivo and in vitro. Utilizing mouse models, we are working to elucidate the importance of TGF-beta signalling in three anatomically specialized regions of the vasculature – the choroid plexus of the brain, the retina and the mesentery.

Publications - Original articles

1. Pulsatile Flow Increases the Expression of eNOS, ET-1 and Prostacyclin in a Novel in vitro Co-Culture Model of the Retinal Vasculature. Walshe TE, Ferguson G, Connell P, O’Brien C, Cahill PA. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2005 Jan; 46 (1): 375-82

2. VEGF and TGFβ are required for the maintenance of the choroid plexus and Ependyma. Maharaj ASR*, Walshe TE*, Saint-Geniez M, Venkatesha S, Maldonado AE, Himes N, Matharu KS, Whitty JE, Hassan SS, Romero R, Karumanchi SA, and D’Amore PA. Journal of Experimental Medicine. Feb 18;205(2):491-501

3. TGF-beta is required for vascular barrier function, endothelial survival and homeostasis of the adult microvasculature. Walshe TE, Saint-Geniez M, Maharaj AS, Sekiyama E, Maldonado AE, D'Amore PA. PLoS One. 2009;4(4):e5149. Epub 2009 Apr 2.

4. Inhibition of VEGF or TGF-{beta} Signaling Activates Endothelium and Increases Leukocyte Rolling. Walshe TE*, Dole VS*, Maharaj AS*, Patten IS, Wagner DD, D'Amore PA. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2009 May 21.

5. Retinal microvascular endothelial and pericyte cell fate – role of flow-induced nitric oxide, prostacyclin and endothelin-1. Walshe TE, Cryan L, Ferguson G, Connell P, O’Brien C, Cahill PA. In review. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci

Publications - Review articles

1. Vasospasm in glaucoma: clinical and laboratory aspects. Delaney Y*, Walshe TE*, O’Brien C. Optom Vis Sci. 2006 Jul;83(7):406-14

2. The role of Hypoxia in Vascular Injury and Repair. Walshe TE & D’Amore PA. Annual Review of Pathology: Mechanisms of Disease. 2008;3:615-43.
   
   * Joint authorship