Donald Serafin

Current Research Efforts: Working in collaboration with Bruce Klitzman, Ph.D., Director of the Plastic Surgery Research Laboratories, investigations continue on altering the thrombogenicity of microvascular prostheses. Efforts have been directed in reducing the thrombogenicity of (ePTFE) expanded polytetrafluroethylene vascular grafts utilizing hydrostatic pressure. Vascular prostheses were placed in saline under 6,000 psig hydrostatic pressure in an attempt to eliminate small pockets of gas known as gas nuclei trapped within the surface interstices of the graft material. By elimination of these gas nuclei thrombogenicity was significantly reduced.
In other studies it has been demonstrated that ePTFE treated grafts with TDMAC in Heparin also resulted in reduced thrombogenicity of the graft.
Other studies include the quantification of platelet emboli downstream from a vascular prosthesis, utilizing an isolated muscle technique which permits continuous monitoring of the microcirculation in the cremaster muscle. Current studies demonstrated that TDMAC Heparin on ePTFE microvascular prostheses not only improved graft patency rates but enhanced perfusion and reduced microemboli.
Ongoing investigations include the isolation and attachment of microvascular endothelial cells to ePTFE vascular graft material. Pretreatment of the graft material with denucleation and TDMAC with and without fibronectin demonstrated a highly significant retention of microvascular endothelial cells to the prosthesis. Current studies are underway to evaluate the degree to which these microvascular endothelial cells are metabolically active.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Professor Emeritus of Surgery · 2000 - Present Surgery, Plastic, Maxillofacial, and Oral Surgery, Surgery

Recent Publications

Lymphatic Activation of ACKR3 Signaling Regulates Lymphatic Response After Ischemic Heart Injury

Journal Article Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology · January 1, 2025 BACKGROUND: Ischemic heart disease is a prevalent cause of death and disability worldwide. Recent studies reported a rapid expansion of the cardiac lymphatic network upon ischemic heart injury and proposed that cardiac lymphatics may attenuate tissue edema ... Full text Cite

Proximity interactome of lymphatic VE-cadherin reveals mechanisms of junctional remodeling and reelin secretion.

Journal Article Nat Commun · September 4, 2024 The adhesion receptor vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin transduces an array of signals that modulate crucial lymphatic cell behaviors including permeability and cytoskeletal remodeling. Consequently, VE-cadherin must interact with a multitude of intracell ... Full text Link to item Cite

Meningeal lymphatic CGRP signaling governs pain via cerebrospinal fluid efflux and neuroinflammation in migraine models.

Journal Article J Clin Invest · May 14, 2024 Recently developed antimigraine therapeutics targeting calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) signaling are effective, though their sites of activity remain elusive. Notably, the lymphatic vasculature is responsive to CGRP signaling, but whether meningeal ... Full text Link to item Cite

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Education, Training & Certifications

Duke University · 1964 M.D.