
I am a researcher actively developing viral vectors for improved gene therapies. My focus in recent years has been to address the unmet need for targeted vectors that can regulate gene expression in specific cell lines. We use elements from super-enhancers which are clusters of enhancers in the genome, to regulate the expression of transgenes to endothelial cells. Our interest in endothelial cells goes hand-in-hand with our aim to improve angiogenic gene therapy for the treatment of ischemic diseases. In addition, to the translational projects that I manage, we are also pursuing new therapeutic targets for angiogenesis. For this endeavour, we are studying the non-coding genome. Our aim is to better understand the different regulatory roles of non-coding RNAs (including enhancers, small and circular RNAs) in affecting gene expression. Gained knowledge and new discoveries will open new avenues for therapeutic developments.
Publications
25 items-
BMP2 gene transfer induces pericardial effusion and inflammatory response in the ischemic porcine myocardium
Pulkkinen, HH; Kivistö-Rahnasto, A; Korpela, H; Heikkilä, M; Järveläinen, N; Siimes, S; Kilpeläinen, L; Laham-Karam, N; Ylä-Herttuala, S; Laakkonen, JP. 2023. Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine. 10: . 1279613 -
Comparison of Automated and Traditional Western Blotting Methods
Sormunen, Aino; Koivulehto, Emma; Alitalo, Kari; Saksela, Kalle; Laham-Karam, Nihay; Ylä-Herttuala, Seppo. 2023. Methods and protocols. 6: -
Deletion of the murine ortholog of human 9p21.3 locus promotes atherosclerosis by increasing macrophage proinflammatory activity
Kettunen, Sanna; Ruotsalainen, Anna-Kaisa; Örd, Tiit; Suoranta, Tuisku; Heikkilä, Janne; Kaikkonen, Minna U.; Laham-Karam, Nihay; Ylä-Herttuala, Seppo. 2023. Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine. 10: . 1113890 -
ErbB signalling is a potential therapeutic target for vascular lesions with fibrous component
Jauhiainen, Suvi; Ilmonen, Henna; Vuola, Pia; Rasinkangas, Heta; Pulkkinen, Heidi H; Keränen, Sara; Kiema, Miika; Liikkanen, Jade J; Laham Karam, Nihay; Laidinen, Svetlana; Beter, Mustafa; Aavik, Einari; Lappalainen, Kimmo; Lohi, Jouko; Aronniemi, Johanna; Örd, Tiit; Kaikkonen, Minna U; Salminen, Päivi; Tukiainen, Erkki; Ylä-Herttuala, Seppo; Laakkonen, Johanna P. 2023. eLife. 12: -
Gene Therapeutic Strategies for Peripheral Artery Disease and New Opportunities Provided by Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors
Khachigian, Levon M; Varcoe, Ramon L; Suoranta, Tuisku; Laham-Karam, Nihay; Ylä-Herttuala, Seppo. 2023. Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology. 43: 836–851 -
Hypoxic regulation of hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha via antisense transcription
Downes, Nicholas; Niskanen, Henri; Tomas-Bosch, Vanesa; Taipale, Mari; Godiwala, Mehvash; Väänänen, Mari-Anna; Turunen, Tiia A; Aavik, Einari; Laham-Karam, Nihay; Ylä-Herttuala, Seppo; Kaikkonen, Minna U. 2023. Journal of biological chemistry. 299: -
Intranasal administration of adenoviral vaccines expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein improves vaccine immunity in mouse models
Freitag, Tobias L; Fagerlund, Riku; Karam, Nihay Laham; Leppänen, Veli-Matti; Ugurlu, Hasan; Kant, Ravi; Mäkinen, Petri; Tawfek, Ahmed; Kumar, Sawan; Strandin, Tomas; Leskinen, Katarzyna; Hepojoki, Jussi; Kesti, Tapio; Kareinen, Lauri; Kuivanen, Suvi; Koivulehto, Emma; Sormunen, Aino; Laidinen, Svetlana; Khattab, Ayman; Saavalainen, Päivi; Meri, Seppo; Kipar, Anja; Sironen, Tarja; Vapalahti, Olli; Alitalo, Kari; Ylä-Herttuala, Seppo; Saksela, Kalle. 2023. Vaccine. 41: 3233-3246 -
Role of non-coding RNAs in physiological and pathological angiogenesis
Laham-Karam, Nihay; Mushimiyimana, Isidore; Hokkanen, Krista; Ylä-Herttuala, Seppo. 2023. Current opinion in physiology. 35: -
Strategies to improve safety profile of AAV vectors
Suoranta, Tuisku; Laham-Karam, Nihay; Ylä-Herttuala, Seppo. 2022. Frontiers in molecular medicine. 2: -
Characterization of a functional endothelial super-enhancer that regulates ADAMTS18 and angiogenesis
Mushimiyimana, I; Niskanen. H; Beter, M; Laakkonen, JP; Kaikkonen, MU; Ylä-Herttuala, S; Laham-Karam, N. 2021. Nucleic acids research. 49: 8078-8096