The Jensen Group

Group focus

Arteriolar function in the brain

  • We investigate fundamental mechanisms in regulation of arteriolar tone involved in the control of blood pressure and organ perfusion, mainly the brain.
  • We specialize in myogenic tone, flow-mediated vasodilatation, and structural remodeling, which are key determinants of vascular function in vivo.
  • We strive to describe new molecular mechanisms, and to apply this research using animal models of hypertension, aging and obesity/diabetes.
  • In collaboration with Novo Nordisk and the LifePharm In Vivo Pharmacology Centre, we assist in development of porcine models of obesity and diabetes through our expertise in microvascular function.

Current projects

  • Currently we have projects with an emphasis on brain perfusion in relation to calcium channels and Rho-kinase in aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
  • We are also actively investigating the role of arteriolar K+ channels and insulin signaling in diet-induced hypertension and obesity as a model of the human metabolic syndrome.
  • Funding has mainly been obtained from DFF, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Hjerteforeningen, Lundbeck Foundation, and Fonden til Lægevidenskabens Fremme (AP Møller).

Selected publications

  1. Tokudome T, Otani K, Mao Y, Jensen LJ, Arai Y, Miyazaki T, Sonobe T, Pearson JT, Osaki T, Minamino N, Ishida J, Fukamizu A, Kawakami H, Onozuka D, Nishimura K, Miyazato M, Nishimura H. Endothelial natriuretic peptide receptor 1 play crucial role for acute and chronic blood pressure regulation by atrial natriuretic peptide. Hypertension 2022 Jul;79(7):1409-1422. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.121.18114. (IF 10.190 – BFI level 2).
  2. Rabaglino MB, Wakabayashi, M, Pearson JT and Jensen LJ. Effect of age on the vascular proteome in middle cerebral arteries and mesenteric resistance arteries in mice. Mech Aging Dev Volume 200, December, 111594 (2021) (IF 5.432).
  3. Harraz OF and Jensen LJ. Vascular Calcium Signaling and Aging. Physiol., 599.24 pp 5361–5377 (2021). (IF 5.182 – BFI level 2).
  4. Hansted AK, Jensen LJ, Olesen J, and Jansen-Olesen I. Localization of TRPA1 channels and characterization of TRPA1 mediated responses in dural and pial arteries in vivo after intracarotid infusion of Na2 Cephalalgia 40 (12), 2020 (IF 6.292).
  5. Ludvigsen TP, Olsen LH, Pedersen HD, Christoffersen BØ, and Jensen LJ. Hyperglycemia-induced transcriptional regulation of ROCK1 and TGM2 expression is involved in small artery remodeling in obese diabetic Göttingen Minipigs. Clinical Science 133, 2499-2516 (2019) (IF 5.237).
  6. Gradel AKJ, Salomonsson M, Sørensen CM, Holstein-Rathlou N-H, and Jensen LJ. Long-term diet-induced hypertension in rats is associated with reduced expression and function of small artery SKCa, IKCa, and Kir2.1 channels. Clinical Science 132, 461-474, 2018 (IF 4.936).
  7. Mikkelsen MF, Björling K and Jensen LJ. Age-dependent impact of CaV2 T-type calcium channel deletion on myogenic tone and flow-mediated vasodilatation in small arteries. J. Physiol. 594.20:5881–5898, 2016. (IF 4.731 – Level 2)
  8. Björling K, Morita H, Olsen MF, Prodan A, Hansen PB, Lory P, Holstein-Rathlou N-H and Jensen LJ. Myogenic tone is impaired at low arterial pressure in mice deficient in the low voltage-activated CaV1 T-type Ca2+ channel. Acta Physiol. (Oxford) 207, 709–720, 2013. (IF 4.066)
  9. Hald BO, Jacobsen JCB, Braunstein TH, Inoue R, Ito Y, Sørensen PG, Holstein-Rathlou N-H, & Jensen LJ. BKCa and KV channels limit conducted vasomotor responses in rat mesenteric terminal arterioles. Pflügers Arch – Eur J Physiol 463:279–295, 2012. (IF 3.654)
  10. Inoue, R., *Jensen. LJ., Jian, Z., Shi, J., Hai, L., Lurie, AI., Henriksen, FH., Salomonsson, M., Morita, H., Kawarabayashi, Y., Mori, M., Mori, Y., Ito, Y. Synergistic activation of vascular TRPC6 channel by receptor and mechanical stimulation via PLC/diacylglycerol and PLA2/ω-hydroxylase/20-HETE pathways. Circulation Research 104:1399-1409, 2009. * Shared first-author (IF 11.551 – Level 2)