College of Veterinary Medicine

Education:

DVM 1989 National University of La Plata, Argentina
Diplomat Toxicological Pathology 1992 University of Tokyo, Japan
MSc Path 1997 University of London, U.K.
Diplomat Bone Pathology 1999 University of London, U.K.
PhD 2002 National University of La Plata, Argentina
Post-Doc 2005 University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Honors and Awards:

Scholarship Award, Japanese International Cooperation Agency 1992
Award for Advanced Studies in the UK, The British Council 1997
Scholarship Award, Ministry of Education, Argentina 1997
Reentry grant for postgraduate fellows, The Antorchas Foundation 2002
Alice L. Jee Memorial Young Investigator Award 2004
Young Investigator Award, The American Society of Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) 2005
Young Investigator Travel Grant, ASBMR 2007

Research Interests:

My current research work focus on osteoporosis, a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures of the hip, spine, and wrist. Osteoporosis is a major public health concern, affecting more than 44 million American, 68% of who are women. It is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures annually, including 300,000 hip fractures, and approximately 700,000 vertebral fractures, 300,000 wrist fractures, and more than 300,000 fractures at other sites. Estimated national direct expenditures (hospitals and nursing homes) for osteoporosis and related fractures are $ 14 billion each year.

Our team research work focuses on the use of in vivo and in vitro models to study new compounds, growth factors and hormones for their potential use in the treatment of this disease. In addition, I have interest in the lifespan regulation of bone cells by mechanical forces, growth factors and hormones and the effect of mechanical strains and weightlessness in bone remodeling and bone cell activity.

Selected Publications:

For Publications Extracted From Medline Click HERE

Aguirre, J.I.; Plotkin, L.I.; Gortazar, A.R.; Martin Millan, M., O’brien C.A.; Manolagas, S.C.; Bellido.T. A Novel Ligand-independent Function of The Estrogen Receptor Is Essential for Osteocyte and Osteoblast Mechanotransduction. J. Biol. Chem. 282 (35) 25501-25508, 2007.

Aslanidi, G.; Kroutov, V.; Philipsberg, G.; Lamb, K.; Campbell-Thompson, M.; Walter, G.; Kurenov, S.; Aguirre, J.I.; Keller, P.; Hankenson, K.; MacDougald, O.; Zolotukhin, S. Ectopic expression of Wnt10b decreases adiposity and improves glucose homeostasis in obese rats. Am. J. Physiol.- Endocrinology and Metabolism (USA) 293 (3) E726-E736, 2007.

Aguirre, J.I.; Leal M.E., Rivera, M.F.; Vanegas, S.M.; Wronski, T.J. Effects of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor and a Prostaglandin E2 Receptor Subtype 4 Agonist on Osteoblastogenesis and Adipogenesis in Aged Ovariectomized Rats. J. Bone Mineral Res (USA) 22 (6): 877-888, 2007.

Aguirre, J.I.; Plotkin, L.I.; Stewart, S.A.; Weinstein, R.S.; Parfitt, A.M.; Manolagas, S.C.; Bellido.T. Osteocyte Apoptosis Precedes Osteoclastic Bone Resorption and The Loss of Bone Mineral and Strength Induced by Unloading in Mice. J. Bone Mineral Res (USA) 21 (4): 605-615, 2006.

Plotkin, L.; Mathov, I.; Aguirre, J.I.; Manolagas, S.C.; Bellido, T. Mechanical Stimulus Prevent Osteocytes Apoptosis Through an Integrin/SRC/ERK Signalsome Localized in Caveolae. Am. J. Physiol.- Cell Physiology (USA) 289: C633-C643, 2005.

Aguirre, J.I.; Gomar, M.S.; Igal, S.; Quiroga, M.A.; Portiansky, E.L.; Gimeno EJ. Bone Tissue and Growth Plate Abnormalities Observed After a Subacute Intoxication with Solanum glaucophyllum in Rabbits. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira (Brazil) 25(1):34-38 Jan/Mar, 2005.

Plotkin, L.; Aguirre, J.I.; Kousteni, S.; Manolagas, S.C.; Bellido, T. Bisphosphonates and Estrogens Inhibit Osteocyte Apoptosis Via Distinct Molecular Mechanisms Downstream of ERK Activation. J. Biol. Chem. (USA) 280:7317-7325, 2005.

Chen, J.; Plotkin, L.; Aguirre, J.I.; Han L.; Peng H.; Kousteni S.; Bellido, T.; Manolagas, S. Transient Versus Sustained Activation and Nuclear Accumulation of ERKs Underlie the Anti-versus the Pro-apoptotic Effects of Estrogens on Osteoblasts/Osteocytes and Osteoclasts. J. Biol. Chem. (USA) 280(6):4632-4638, 2005.

Aguirre, J.I.; Buttery, L.; O´shaughnessy, M.; Afzal, F.; Fernandez de Marticorena, I.; Hukkanen, M.; Huang, P.; MacIntyre, I.; Polak, J. Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene-Deficient Mice Demonstrate Marked Retardation in Postnatal Bone Formation, Reduced Bone Volume, and Defects in Osteoblast Maturation and Activity. Am. J. Pathol. (USA) 158(1): 247-257, 2001.