Overview
The Kontos Lab studies the molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis and vascular remodeling. Studies are directed toward understanding how signal transduction by endothelial receptor tyrosine kinase (RTKs) regulates vascular growth in both physiological and pathological processes, including exercise, peripheral artery disease (PAD), atherosclerosis, and cancer.
Current projects include:
1. Signal transduction, mechanisms of activation, and downregulation of endothelial RTKs (mainly Tie1, Tie2, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2)
2. Differential effects of the Angiopoietins
3. Role of the inositol phosphatase PTEN in the regulation of vascular cell growth and remodeling
4. PTEN gene therapy for prevention of vein graft disease
5. Angiogenic signaling in skeletal muscle, including mechanisms of exercise-induced angiogenesis
6. Proteolytic cleavage and shedding of endothelial RTKs
7. Angiogenic proteins as biomarkers in peripheral artery disease
Current projects include:
1. Signal transduction, mechanisms of activation, and downregulation of endothelial RTKs (mainly Tie1, Tie2, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2)
2. Differential effects of the Angiopoietins
3. Role of the inositol phosphatase PTEN in the regulation of vascular cell growth and remodeling
4. PTEN gene therapy for prevention of vein graft disease
5. Angiogenic signaling in skeletal muscle, including mechanisms of exercise-induced angiogenesis
6. Proteolytic cleavage and shedding of endothelial RTKs
7. Angiogenic proteins as biomarkers in peripheral artery disease
Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations
Professor of Medicine
·
2017 - Present
Medicine, Cardiology,
Medicine
Director, Medical Scientist Training Program
·
2009 - Present
Medicine, Cardiology,
Medicine
Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology
·
2017 - Present
Pharmacology & Cancer Biology,
Basic Science Departments
Professor of Cell Biology
·
2022 - Present
Cell Biology,
Basic Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
1993 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Scholarly Works
Sports Nephrology: Managing Hypertension, Acute Kidney Injury, and Cardiovascular Risk in a Collegiate Football Player.
Journal article JACC Case Rep · September 10, 2026 BACKGROUND: Managing hypertension (HTN) and kidney risk in competitive athletes is challenging because of rapid fluid and electrolyte shifts, dietary trends, and performance goals. CASE SUMMARY: A 19-year-old football player presented with resistant HTN, r ... Full text Link to item CiteNavigating physician-scientist careers: insights from American Board of Internal Medicine Research Pathway graduates.
Journal article JCI Insight · August 24, 2026 The American Board of Internal Medicine Research Pathway (ABIM RP) is designed to train physician-scientists by shortening postgraduate clinical training and increasing research time. We surveyed ABIM RP graduates to understand career trajectories, researc ... Full text Link to item CiteTNF-α-mediated down-regulation of mitochondrial transcription factors: Rescue by Angiotensin-(1-7) peptide.
Journal article Mitochondrion · May 2026 Manifesting initially as a physiological adaptation to pressure/volume overload, cardiac hypertrophy helps to maintain normal cardiac output via optimal mitochondrial function. However, chronic hypertension leads to pathological cardiac hypertrophy that is ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2026 - 2031Integrated Training in Anesthesiology Research
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 1996 - 2031Multiorgan Photon Counting CT and Machine Learning to Elucidate Aging Mechanisms and Interventions
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2021 - 2031View All Grants
Education
Virginia Commonwealth University ·
1989
M.D.