Jaroslaw (Jarek) Aronowski, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor of Neurology, Vice Chair for Research

Contact Information:

• Assistant: 713-500-7066
  
• Fax: 713-500-0692
  
• E-mail: J.Aronowski@uth.tmc.edu

Education and Training:

• M.D., Medical Academy of Warsaw, Poland
• Ph.D., Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland
• Instructor, Department of Pharmacodynamics, The Institute of Physiology, Warsaw, Poland
• Research Associate, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston

National Services:

• 2001–2006, Member of the National Institute of Health Grant Review Study Section, Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience 1 (BDCN-1/CND)
• October 2003, Invited Participant, NIH-NINDS, Priorities for Clinical Research in the Treatment of Acute, non-Traumatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage Workshop, 2003. The panel was established to create new guidelines for research in ICH treatment
• November 2003, Invited speaker, NIH-NINDS Stroke Conference
• 2004–2009, Brain 2, American Heart Association, grant review panel (co-chairman of the study group)
• November 2005, NINDS Special Emphasis Panel ZNS1 SRB-M Study Section
• 2005, Advisory Board member for the 1st International Symposium on Cerebral Hemorrhage. Ann Arbor, Michigan
• November 2006, Planning Committee member, NIH, NINDS Workshop on Models of Geriatric Epilepsy
• April 2006, Loan Repayment Program NIH Study Sections, 2006/08 ZNS1 SRB-M (35)
• 2006–Present, Fellowship (F30) NIH-NINDS Study Section, 2006/08 ZNS1 SRB-M (36)
• 2006, Stroke Progress Review Group (SPRG), Topic: Intracerebral Hemorrhage advisory panel, NIH, NINDS. The panel was established to create new research and clinical recommendations to NIH
• November 2006, Fellowship (F30/F05) NIH-NINDS grant review study section, 2007/01 ZNS1 SRB-M (39)
• 2007, Advisory Board Member for the 2nd International Symposium on Cerebral Hemorrhage
• 2007, Organizing Committee, 26th Princeton Conference on Cerebrovascular Disease, Houston, Texas
• March 2008, NIH/NINDS, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review 2008/05 ZNS1 SRB-M (57)
• September 2008, NIH 10 ZRG1 BDCN-N (93) S Neurodegenerative Disorders and Injury
• October 2008–present, NIH, NINDS, Charter Member, Neurological Sciences Training Initial Review Group, NST-2 (F30 and K99 awards)
• June 2009, NIH, RFA-OD-09-003 Challenge Grant Panel 11
• October 2009, NIH, Acute Neural Injury and Epilepsy Study Section (ANIE) Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience Integrated Review Group
• February 2010, Invited Moderator of a session on “Hemorrhage—Intraparenchymal,” International Stroke Conference, San Antonio, Texas
• March 2010, Invited Chairman of the session on Hematoma Resolution, International Intracerebral Hemorrhage Conference, Palm Springs, California
• April 2010, Invited Speaker at 27th Princeton Conferences on Cerebrovascular Disease, Boston, Massachusetts
• July 2010, Invited lectures at the symposium “Nuclear receptors”, WorldPharma2010, Copenhagen, Denmark
• March 2011, Invited lectures at the 2nd Venusberg Meeting on Neuroinflammation. Bonn, Germany.
• June 2011, NIH, Acute Neural Injury and Epilepsy Study Section (ANIE) Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience Integrated Review Group
• 2011, NIH, NINDS, Stroke Progress Review Group (SPRG), Topic: Intracerebral Hemorrhage advisory panel. The panel was established to create new research and clinical recommendations to NIH. Co-Chairman of the panel.
• 2011–2015, Board of Directors of the International Society for Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism (ISCBFM).
• August 2012, Member of Planning Group to Establish NIH Future Goals/Priorities in Stroke Research, NIH, NINDS. Stroke Progress Review Group (SPRG), Bethesda.

Research Interests

• Neuropharmacology and laboratory models of ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage
• His research involves understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the pathology of acute cerebral ischemia, reperfusion injury and intracerebral hemorrhage, with emphasis on calcium related signal transduction, adenosine receptors, protein phosphorylation, transcription factors (specifically NF-kappaB, Nrf2 and PPAR) and neuroinflammation (including role of microglia in hematoma resolution)
• Utilizing behavioral modalities in our rats, we are also investigating the effect of motor and cognitive activities on neuronal plasticity and functional recovery from stroke-induced brain damage. Also, using relevant animal models, including knockout mice, he is evaluating new clinically relevant experimental pharmacotherapies with different mechanisms of action targeting the acute and recovery phase of stroke and ICH pathology
• Ongoing projects supported by the NIH include:
  1. Inflammatory/Immunological response regulation by transcription factors after ICH
  2. Role of PPAR-gamma in neuroprotection after ischemic stroke
  3. Role of rehabilitation in brain re-wiring after stroke
  4. Role of Nrf2 in neuroprotection after intracerebral hemorrhage
  5. Role of immune cells in post-stroke recovery
  6. Use of stem cells in post stroke recovery

Publications and Medical/Scientific Participation

• Aronowski J, Wleklik M, Gumulka SW, Luczak M, Konopinska D: Modification of Morphine Withdrawal: Effect of Tuftsin, (Lys 4 ) -Tuftsinyltufsin, Tetrapeptide Fragment ( 1-4 ) of Substance P and its amide. Life Sci. 37:1649-1653, 1985
• Dougherty PM, Aronowski J, Samorajski T, Dafny N: Opiate Antinociciption is Altered by Immunomodification: The effect of Interferon, cyclosporine and Radiation-Induced Immune Suppression upon Acute and Long-Term Morphine Activity. Brain Res , 3:401-404, 1986
• Dougherty PM, Aronowski J, Drath D, Dafny N: Cyclosporine Modifies Opiate Withdrawal by Effects on Brain and Immune Components. J Neuroimmunology 3:331-342, 1987
• Pellis NR, Kletzly NE, Dougherty PM, Aronowski J, Dafny N: Participation of the lymphoid Cells in the Withdrawal Syndrome of the Opiate Dependent Rat. Life Sci. 40:1589-1593, 1987
• Waxham NM, Aronowski J, Server AC, Wolinsky J, Smith J, Goodman H: Sequence Determination of the Mumps Virus HN Gene. Virology 164:318-325, 1988
• Waxham NM , Aronowski J : Identification of Amino Acids Involved in the Sialidase Activity of the Mumps Virus Hemagglutinin- Neuraminidase Protein. Virology 167, 226-232, 1988
• Waxham NM , Aronowski J, Kelly PT: Functional Analysis of Ca 2+ /Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II Expressed in Bacteria. J Biol Chem. 264:7477-7482, 1989
• Waxham NM , Aronowski J, Westgate S, Kelly PT: Mutagenesis of Thr-286 in Monomeric Ca 2+ /Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II Eliminates Ca 2+ /Calmodulin-Independent Activity. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA . 87:1273-1277, 1989
• DeGraba TJ, Aronowski J, Waxham N, Grotta JC: Calcium influx and CaM-kinase II as predictor of neuronal damage. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 58:521, 1991
• Aronowski J, Grotta J, Waxham NM : Ischemia Induced translocation of Ca 2+ /Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II: Potential Roles in Neuronal Damage. J Neurochem. , 58:1743-1753, 1992
• Waxham NM , Aronowski J : Protein Kinase C Phosphorylates Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II in vitro. Biochem. 32:2923-2930, 1993
• Aronowski J, Waxham NM , Grotta J: Neuronal Protection and Preservation of Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II and Protein Kinase C Activity by Dextrorphan Treatment in Global Ischemia, J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 13:550-557, 1993
• Hanson S, Grotta J, Waxham NM, Aronowski J, Ostrow P: Ca 2+ /Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II Activity in Focal Ischemia with Reperfusion. Stroke , 25:466-473, 1994
• Westgate SA, Brown J, Aronowski J, Waxham NM : Activity of Ca2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II Following Ischemia: A Comparison Between CA1 and Dentate Gyrus in Hippocampal Slices Model. J Neurochem , 63:2217-2224, 1994
• Aronowski J, Ostrow P, Samways E, Strong R, Zivin JA, Grotta JC: A Graded Bioassay for Demonstration of Brain Rescue from Experimental Acute Ischemia in Rats. Stroke, 25:2235-2240, 1994
• Grotta JC, Aronowski J : DCLHb for focal ischemia and reperfusion. Stroke , 26:166, 1995
• Aronowski J, Samways E, Grotta JC: Analysis of behavioral deficit after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Stroke , 26:169, 1995
• Aronowski J, Samways E, Strong R, Rhoades HM, Grotta JC: An alternative method for the quantitation of neuronal damage after experimental middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats; Analysis of behavioral deficit. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab , 16, 705-713, 1996
• Aronowski J, Grotta JC: Calcium /Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in forebrain postsynaptic densities after reversible global ischemia in rats. Brain Res ,709:103-109,1996
• Waxham NM , Grotta JC, Silva A, Strong R, Aronowski J : Ischemia induced neuronal damage: A role of calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab , 16:1-6,1996
• Aronowski J, Strong R, Grotta JC: Combined Neuroprotection and reperfusion therapy for experimental stroke; The effect of lubeluzole and diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin in experimental focal ischemia. Stroke 27;1571-1577, 1996
• Hudman A, Aronowski J, Kolb SJ, Waxham MN : Inactivation and self-association of Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II during autophosphorylation. J Biol Chem 271:8800-8808,1996
• Aronowski J, Strong R, Grotta JC: Treatment of experimental focal ischemia in rats with lubeluzole. Neuropharmacol 35;689-693,1996
• Aronowski J . Strong R, Grotta JC: Citocoline for treatment of experimental focal ischemia: Histologic and behavioral outcome. Neurolog Res 18;570-574,1996
• Aronowski J, Strong R, Grotta J: Reperfusion Injury: Demonstration of brain damage produced by reperfusion following transient focal ischemia in rats. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 17;1048-1056,1997
• Aronowski J, Cho K-H, Strong R, Grotta JC: Neurofilament proteolysis after focal ischemia; When do cells die after experimental stroke. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 19:652-660, 1999
• Pilc A, Branski P, Palucha A, Aronowski J : The effect of prolonged imipramine and electroconvulsive shock treatment on calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in the hippocampus of rat brain. Neuropharmocol 38:597-603, 1999
• Hickenbottom SL, Grotta JC, Strong R, Denner LA, Aronowski J : Nuclear Factor – k B and cell death after experimental intracerebral hemorrhage in rats. Stroke . 30:2472-2478, 1999
• Bland S, Strong R, Aronowski J, Grotta JC, Schallert T: Forced overuse of the contralateral forelimb increases infarct volume and impairs functional outcome following mild transient cerebral ischemia in rats. Neurology 52: 564, 1999
• Strong R, Grotta JC, Aronowski J . Combination of low dose ethanol and caffeine protects brain from damage produced by focal ischemia. Neuropharmacol 39;515-522, 2000
• Aronowski J, Grotta JC, Strong R, Waxham MN : Interplay between the gamma isoform of PKC and calcineurin in regulation of vulnerability to focal cerebral ischemia. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 20: 343-349, 2000
• Aronowski J, Strong R, Kang H-S, Grotta JC: Selective upregulation of I k B a in ischemic penumbra following focal cerebral ischemia. NeuroReport 11: 1529-1533, 2000
• Bland ST, Schallert T, Strong R, Aronowski J, Grotta JC: Early exclusive use of the affected forelimb following moderate transient focal ischemia in rats: Functional and anatomical outcome. Stroke 31:1144-1152, 2000
• Bland ST , Pillai RN, Aronowski J, Grotta JC, and Schallert T: Early overuse and disuse of the affected forelimb after moderately severe intraluminal suture occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in rats. Behav Brain Res 126 (1-2):33-41, 2001
• Felberg R, Strong R, Shirzadi A, Grotta JC, Aronowski J . Cell Death in Experimental Intracerebral Hemorrhage: The “Black Hole” Model of Hemorrhagic Damage. Annals of Neurology 51:517-524, 2002
• Aronowski J . Role of NF- k B2 in susceptibility to ischemic stroke. (submitted)
• Aronowski J, Grotta JC, Shirzadi A, Strong R. Combination of low dose ethanol and caffeine for treatment of experimental stroke; Progress update. Stroke. 34:1246-1251, 2003
• Piriyawat P, Labiche LA, Burgin WS, Aronowski JA , Grotta JC. Pilot Dose-Escalation Study of Caffeine Plus Ethanol (Caffeinol) in Acute Ischemic Stroke. Stroke. 34: 1242-1245, 2003
• Aronowski J, Labiche L. Perspectives on reperfusion-induced damage in rodent models of experimental focal ischemia and role of gamma PKC. ILAR 44:105-110, 2003.
• Schneider A, Fischer A, Kruger C, Aronowski J. Identification of regulated genes during transient cortical ischemia in mice by restriction-mediated differential display (RMDD). Brain Res Mol Brain Res. 124:20-8, 2004
• Zhao X, Liu SJ, Zhang J, Strong R, Aronowski J, Grotta JC , Combining insulin-like growth factor derivatives plus caffeinol produces robust neuroprotection after stroke in rats. Stroke. 36:129-134, 2005
• Grotta JC, Noser EA, Ro T, Boake C, Levin H, Aronowski J, Schallert T. Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy. Stroke, 35: 2699-2701, 2004
• Aronowski J and Hall C. New horizons for primary intracerebral hemorrhage treatment: Experience from preclinical studies. Neurol Res. 27: 268-279, 2005
• Zhao X, Aronowski J, Liu S-J, Schallert T,Zhang J, Strong R, Ou Z, Nguyen T, Grotta JC. Wheel-Running Modestly Promotes Functional Recovery After a Unilateral Cortical Lesion in Rats, Behavioral Neurology 16:41-49, 2005
• Zhao X, Aronowski J, Sun G, Zhang J, Strong R, Zhang Y, Nguyen T, Grotta JC. Edaravone And Caffeinol Are Neuroprotective After Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion In Rats. Journal of Neurological Research 2005
• Schneider A., Krueger C., Steigleder T., Weber D., Pitzer C., Laage R., Aronowski J., Maurer MH., Gassler N., Mier W., Hasselblatt M., Kollmar R., Schwab S., Sommer C., Bach., Kuhn H-G., Schäbitz W-R The hematopoietic factor G-CSF is a neuronal ligand that counteracts programmed cell death and drives neurogenesis. J. Clin. Invest 115, 2083-2098, 2005
• Zhao X., Zhang Y., Strong R., Grotta JC., Aronowski J . 15d-prostaglandin J 2 activates peroxisome proliferator activated receptor- g , promotes expression of catalase and reduces inflammation, behavioral dysfunction and neuronal loss after intracerebral hemorrhage in rats. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab, 2 6:811-20, 2006
• Zhao J., Kobori N., Aronowski J ., Dash PK. Sulforaphane reduces infarct volume following focal cerebral ischemia in rodents. Neurosci Lett 393, 108-112, 2006
• Zhao X., Ou Z., Grotta JC., Waxham NM., Aronowski J. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR g ) activation protects neurons from NMDA excitotoxicity. Brain Res 1073-1074:460-9, 2006
• Ou Z., Zhao X., Grotta JC., Labiche LA., Strong R., Hermann O., Aronowski J. Neuronal expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma ( PPAR g ) and 15d-Prostaglandin J 2 – mediated protection of brain after experimental cerebral ischemia in rat . Brain Res 1096, 196-203, 2006
• Kelly KM., Jukkola PI., Kharlamov EA., Downey KL., McBride JM., Strong R., Aronowski J . Long-Term Video-EEG Recordings Following Transient Unilateral Middle Cerebral and Common Carotid Artery Occlusion in Long-Evans Rats. Expl Neurol 201(2):495-506, 2006
• Victor NA, Wanderi EW, Gamboa J, Zhao X, Aronowski J, Deininger K, Lust WD, Landreth GE, Sundararajan S. Altered PPARg expression and activation after transient focal ischemia in rats. Eur J Neurosci 24, 1653-1663, 2006
• Zhao X, Zhang Y, Strong R, Zhang J, Grotta JC and Aronowski J. Distinct patterns of intracerebral hemorrhage-induced alterations in NF-kB subunit, iNOS and COX-2 expression. J. Neurochem 101:652-63, 2007
• Zhao X, Sun G, Strong R, Song W, Gonzales N, Grotta JC and Aronowski J. Hematoma resolution as a target for intracerebral hemorrhage treatment: Role for PPARg in microglia/macrophage. Annals of Neurology 61(4):352-362, 2007
• Zhao X, Sun G, Zhang J, Strong R, Dash PK, Grotta JC, Aronowski J. The transcription factor Nrf2 protects brain from damage produced by intracerebral hemorrhage. Stroke 61(4):352-362, 2007
• Du M., Ulrich H., Zhao X., Aronowski J., Jayaraman V. Water soluble RNA based antagonist of AMPA receptors. Neuropharmacology 53(2):242-51, 2007
• Hallevi H and Aronowski J. The life after SAINT. International Journal of Stroke. 2 (4), 241–242, 2007
• Zhao X, Sun G, Zhang J, Strong R, Dash PK, Kan Y-W, Grotta JC, Aronowski J. The transcription factor Nrf2 protects brain from damage produced by intracerebral hemorrhage. Stroke 38(12):3280-6, 2007
• Schabitz WR, Kruger C, Pitzer C, Weber D, Laage R, Gassler N, Aronowski J, Mier W, Kirsch F, Dittgen T, Bach , Sommer C, Schneider A. A neuroprotective function for the hematopoietic protein granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 28(1):29-43, 2008
• Hallevi H, Albright KC, Aronowski J, Barreto A, Martin-Schild S, Khaja A, Gonzales N, Illoh K, Noser E, Grotta JC. Intraventricular Hemorrhage: Anatomic Relationships and Clinical Implications. Neurology 70(11):848-52, 2008
• Zhao X, Grotta JC, Gonzales N and Aronowski J. Hematoma resolution as a therapeutic target: the role of microglia/macrophages. Stroke 40, S92-S94, 2009
• Martin-Schild S, Hallevi H, Shaltoni H, Barreto AD, Gonzales NR, Aronowski J, Savitz SI, and Grotta JC. Combined Neuroprotective Modalities Coupled with Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Pilot Study of Caffeinol and Mild Hypothermia. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 18(2):86-96. 2009
• Zhao X, Strong R, Zhang J, Sun G, Tsien JZ, Cui Z, Aronowski J. Neuronal PPARg Deficiency Increases Susceptibility to Brain Damage after Cerebral Ischemia. Journal of Neuroscience 29:6186-6195, 2009
• Brenneman M, Sharma S, Harting M, Strong R, Cox CS Jr, Aronowski J, Grotta JC, Savitz SI. Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells enhance recovery after acute ischemic stroke in young and middle-aged rats. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 30(1):140-149, 2010
• Zhao X, Strong R, Piriyawat P, Palusinski R, Grotta JC, Aronowski J. Caffeinol at the receptor level; Anti-ischemic effect of NMDA receptor blockade is potentiated by caffeine. Stroke 41:363-367, 2010
• Zhao X, Song S, Sun G, Strong R, Zhang J, Grotta JC, Aronowski J. Neuroprotective role of haptoglobin after intracerebral hemorrhage. Journal of Neuroscience, 29:15819-15827, 2009
• Britton GL, Kee PH, Kim H, Aronowski J, Holland CK, McPherson DD, Huang S-L. Therapeutic Gas Delivery for Inhibition of Cerebral Ischemia with Echogenic Liposomes. Circulation 122, 1578-87, 2010
• Sharma S, Yang B, Strong R, Xi X, Brenneman M, Grotta JC, Aronowski J, Savitz SI. Bone marrow mononuclear cells protect neurons and modulate microglia in cell culture models of ischemic stroke. J Neurosci Res. 88; 2869-76, 2010
• Aronowski J and Zhao X. Molecular pathophysiology of cerebral hemorrhage: Secondary brain injury. Stroke 42; 1781-1716; 2011
• Yang B, Strong R, Sharma S, Brenneman M, Mallikarjunarao K, Xi X, Grotta JC, Aronowski J, Savitz SI. Therapeutic time window and dose response of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells for ischemic stroke. J Neurosci Res. 89; 833-838; 2011
• Alexandrov A V, Barlinn K, Strong R, Alexandrov AW and Aronowski J. Low-Power 2-MHz Pulsed-Wave Transcranial Ultrasound Reduces Ischemic Brain Damage in Rats. Transl. Stroke Res. 2011
• Sharma S, Yang B, Xi X, Grotta JC, Aronowski J, Savitz SI. IL-10 directly protects cortical neurons by activating PI-3 kinase and STAT-3 pathways. Brain Res 1373:189-94, 2011
• Aronowski J and Zhao X. Molecular pathophysiology of cerebral hemorrhage: Secondary brain injury. Stroke 42; 1781-1716; 2011
• Zhao X, Song S, Sun G, Zhang J, Strong R, Zhang L, Grotta JC and Aronowski J. Cytoprotective Role of Haptoglobin in Brain After Experimental Intracerebral Hemorrhage. Acta Neurochir Suppl.111:107-112. 2011
• Gonzales NR, Shah J, Sangha N, Sosa L, Martinez R, Shen L, Kasam M, Morales MM, Hossain MM, Barreto AD, Savitz SI, Lopez G, Misra V, Wu TC, El Khoury R, Sarraj A, Sahota P, Hicks W, Acosta I, Sline MR, Rahbar MH, Zhao X, Aronowski J, Grotta JC. Design of a prospective, dose-escalation study evaluating the Safety of Pioglitazone for Hematoma Resolution in Intracerebral Hemorrhage (SHRINC). Int J Stroke. 2012
• Al-Senani FM, Shirzadi A, Strong R, Grotta JC and Aronowski J. Inhibition of Proteasome Reduces iNOS Expression and Behavioral Dysfunction after Experimental Intracerebral Hemorrhage. Transl. Stroke Res. 3, 146-153, 2012
• Kasam M, Yang B, Strong R, Schaar K, Misra V, Xi X, Grotta JC, Aronowski J, Savitz SI. Nitric oxide facilitates delivery and mediates improved outcome of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells in a rodent stroke model. PLoS One. 2012;7(3):32793
• Yang B., Xi XP, Aronowski J. Savitz SI; Ischemic Stroke May Activate Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells to Enhance Recovery After Stroke. Stem Cells and Development (in press)
• Aronowski J and Zhao X. Mechanisms of cell death after ICH. Stroke (submitted)