Texas A&M University Veterinary Medicine
& Biomedical Sciences
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University Veterinary Medicine
& Biomedical Sciences
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Cristine Heaps

Interim Department Head, Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology
Contact
VTPP Faculty Information
CHeaps@cvm.tamu.edu
9794580753
TAMU Mailstop: 4466

Research and Scholarly Interests

The primary research in my laboratory is focused on adaptations in the coronary circulation in response to disease and exercise training. Specifically, we study changes in cellular and molecular mechanisms of endothelium and smooth muscle that contribute both dilation and constriction of the vasculature and control blood flow into the myocardium. We also collaborate with other investigators to explore adaptations in vascular and lymphatic function in an array of disease states. 

Dr. Cristine Heaps graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and completed her Master of Science degree in Kinesiology at the University of Texas in Austin. After working in San Antonio for Krug Life Sciences for five years contracted to the Department of Defense, Dr. Heaps returned to academia to pursue her Ph.D. in Physiology at the University of Missouri in Columbia. There, she began her research on adaptations in the coronary circulation with exercise training in both health and disease. After completion of her Ph.D., Dr. Heaps continued as a Postdoctoral Fellow followed by Research Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri. Dr. Heaps joined the faculty at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences in 2004. Her primary research interest continues to explore the effects of exercise training on the coronary microcirculation.

Education

B.S., Kinesiology, University of Michigan

M.S., Kinesiology, University of Texas

Ph.D., Physiology, University of Missouri

Postdoctoral Fellow, Vascular Biology, University of Missouri

 

  • Physiology/Vascular Biology
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Coronary Circulation
  • Vascular Smooth Muscle
  • Vascular Endothelium
  • Exercise Physiology

Cardiovascular Sciences
Exercise and the Cardiovascular System
Regular exercise is a proven, powerful and cost-effective intervention for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States. Our group uses a combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches to gain a better understanding of the fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie exercise-induced cardioprotection in coronary artery disease. Through these experiments, we identify mechanisms driving exercise-induced improvements in blood flow into ischemic myocardium which subsequently promote enhanced cardiac function. Findings from these studies have the potential to provide insight into new therapeutic targets for treatment of coronary artery disease.

Dr. Heaps interacts with students in the classroom as well as her research laboratory. In the laboratory, Dr. Heaps works with undergraduate students, often providing them with their first research opportunity and mentors graduate students interested in pursuing research the area of vascular physiology. In the classroom, Dr. Heaps provides lectures in Systemic Physiology (VTPP 605 and 606) on principles of neural communication and cardiovascular physiology. Dr. Heaps is also the course director for Vascular Physiology (VTPP 655) and guest lectures in other undergraduate, graduate, and professional courses as requested in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

Cristine Heaps is not accepting trainees at this time.

Current trainees:

Kalen Johnson, B.S., M.S.

Trevor Self, B.S.

Sharanee Sytha, B.S.

  • Xie W, Parker JL, Heaps CL (2013). Exercise training-enhanced, endothelium-dependent dilation mediated by altered regulation of BK(Ca) channels in collateral-dependent porcine coronary arterioles. MICROCIRCULATION. 20, 170-182
  • Sarin V, Muthuchamy M, Heaps CL (2011). Ca2+ sensitization of cardiac myofilament proteins contributes to exercise training-enhanced myocardial function in a porcine model of chronic occlusion. AM J PHYSIOL HEART CIRC PHYSIOL. 4,
  • Robles JC, Sturek M, Parker JL, Heaps CL (2011). Ca2+ sensitization and PKC contribute to exercise training-enhanced contractility in porcine collateral-dependent coronary arteries. AM J PHYSIOL HEART CIRC PHYSIOL. 4,
  • Wu X, Chakraborty S, Heaps CL, Davis MJ, Meininger GA, Muthuchamy M (2011). Fibronectin increases the force production of mouse papillary muscles via a5ß1 integrin. J MOL CELL CARDIOL. 1, 203-213
  • Heaps CL, Jeffery EC, Laine GA, Price EM, Bowles DK (2008). Effects of exercise training and hypercholesterolemia on adenosine activation of voltage-dependent K+ channels in coronary arterioles. J APPL PHYSIOL. 6, 1761-1771
  • Fogarty JA, Delp MD, Muller-Delp JM, Laine GA, Parker JL, Heaps CL (2009). Neuropilin-1 is essential for enhanced VEGF(165)-mediated vasodilatation in collateral-dependent coronary arterioles of exercise-trained pigs. J VASC RES. 2, 152-161
  • Wu G, Collins JK, Perkins-Veazie P, Siddiq M, Dolan KD, Kelly KA, Heaps CL, Meininger CJ (2007). Dietary supplementation with watermelon pomace juice enhances arginine availability and ameliorates the metabolic syndrome in Zucker diabetic fatty rats. J NUTR. 12, 2680-2685
  • Korzick DH, Muller-Delp JM, Dougherty P, Heaps CL, Bowles DK, Krick KK (2005). Exaggerated coronary vasoreactivity to endothelin-1 in aged rats: role of protein kinase C. CARDIOVASC RES. 2, 384-392
  • Heaps CL, Sturek M, Price EM, Laughlin MH, Parker JL (2001). Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) uptake is impaired in coronary smooth muscle distal to coronary occlusion. AM J PHYSIOL HEART CIRC PHYSIOL. 1,
  • Heaps CL, Bowles DK, Sturek M, Laughlin MH, Parker JL (2000). Enhanced L-type Ca2+ channel current density in coronary smooth muscle of exercise-trained pigs is compensated to limit myoplasmic free Ca2+ accumulation. J PHYSIOL. Pt 3, 435-45
  • Heaps CL, Sturek M, Rapps JA, Laughlin MH, Parker JL (2000). Exercise training restores adenosine-induced relaxation in coronary arteries distal to chronic occlusion. AM J PHYSIOL HEART CIRC PHYSIOL. 6,
  • Robles JC, CL Heaps (2015). Effects of exercise training on the endothelin system in a porcine model of chronic coronary artery occlusion MICROCIRCULATION.
  • Heaps CL, Parker JL (2011). Effects of exercise training on coronary collateralization and control of collateral resistance. J APPL PHYSIOL (1985). 2, 587-598
  • Zheng X, Heaps CL, Fisher SA (2014). Myosin phosphatase isoforms and related transcripts in the pig coronary circulation and effects of exercise and chronic occlusion. MICROVASC RES.
  • Heaps CL, Robles JC, Sarin V, Mattox ML, Parker JL (2014). Exercise training-induced adaptations in mediators of sustained endothelium-dependent coronary artery relaxation in a porcine model of ischemic heart disease. MICROCIRCULATION. 21, 388-400
  • Xie W, Parker JL, Heaps CL (2012). Effect of exercise training on nitric oxide and superoxide/H₂O₂ signaling pathways in collateral-dependent porcine coronary arterioles. J APPL PHYSIOL (1985). 9, 1546-1555
  • Zhou M, Widmer RJ, Xie W, Jimmy Widmer A, Miller MW, Schroeder F, Parker JL, Heaps CL (2010). Effects of exercise training on cellular mechanisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase regulation in coronary arteries after chronic occlusion. AM J PHYSIOL HEART CIRC PHYSIOL. 6,
  • Heaps CL, Mattox ML, Kelly KA, Meininger CJ, Parker JL (2006). Exercise training increases basal tone in arterioles distal to chronic coronary occlusion. AM J PHYSIOL HEART CIRC PHYSIOL. 3,
  • Deer RR, Heaps CL (2013). Exercise training enhances multiple mechanisms of relaxation in coronary arteries from ischemic hearts AM J PHYSIOL HEART CIRC PHYSIOL. 305, H1321-H1331
  • Li F, Yu X, Szynkarski CK, Meng C, Zhou B, Barhoumi R, White RE, Heaps CL, Stallone JN, Han G (2013). Activation of GPER induces differentiation and inhibition of coronary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation PLOS ONE. 6,
  • R M Dongaonkar, T L Nguyen, C M Quick, C L Heaps, J Hardy, G A Laine, E Wilson, R H Stewart (2015). Mesenteric lymphatic vessels adapt to mesenteric venous hypertension by becoming weaker pumps. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY. REGULATORY, INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY. 5,
  • Juan Carlos Robles, Cristine L Heaps (2015). Adaptations of the endothelin system after exercise training in a porcine model of ischemic heart disease. MICROCIRCULATION (NEW YORK, N.Y. : 1994).
  • Xiaoxu Zheng, Cristine L Heaps, Steven A Fisher (2015). Myosin phosphatase isoforms and related transcripts in the pig coronary circulation and effects of exercise and chronic occlusion. MICROVASCULAR RESEARCH., 166-71
  • Fen Li, Xuan Yu, Claudia K Szynkarski, Cong Meng, Beiyan Zhou, Rola Barhoumi, Richard E White, Cristine L Heaps, John N Stallone, Guichun Han (2016). Activation of GPER Induces Differentiation and Inhibition of Coronary Artery Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation. PLOS ONE. 6,
  • Rachel R Deer, Cristine L Heaps (2013). Exercise training enhances multiple mechanisms of relaxation in coronary arteries from ischemic hearts. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY. HEART AND CIRCULATORY PHYSIOLOGY. 9,
  • Wei Xie, Janet L Parker, Cristine L Heaps (2012). Effect of exercise training on nitric oxide and superoxide/H₂O₂ signaling pathways in collateral-dependent porcine coronary arterioles. JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY (BETHESDA, MD. : 1985). 9, 1546-55

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