Kenichi Fujise, MD

Dr. Ken Fujise is the holder of the John Sealy Distinguished Centennial Chair in Cardiology and is Professor of Medicine and of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Dr. Fujise serves as Director of Division of Cardiology at UTMB. Dr. Fujise believes that healthy life style with appropriate pharmacological therapy can block the progression of heart disease and that decisive interventional procedures can minimize the complications from advanced heart disease. Dr. Fujise is also known for his research in fortilin, a novel anti-apoptotic molecule that facilitates atherosclerogenesis. Dr. Fujise lives on the Galveston Island with his wife Tamami and daughter Ruth.

Clinical Expertise

• Preventive and general cardiology
• Second opinion on complex cardiac conditions
• Preoperative evaluation of patients undergoing surgeries and organ transplantation
• Interventional cardiology
  • Diagnostic heart catheterization and coronary angiography.
  • Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), including stenting and atherectomy
  • Percutaneous peripheral intervention
  • Intravascular ultrasound
  • Pressure wire and fractional flow reserve (FFR) determination
  • Optic coherent tomography (OCT)
  • Intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) and Impella LV assist device.
  • Myocardial biopsy

Active Clinical Trials

SOLID-TIMI52 (The Stabilization of Plaques using Darapladib-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 52 Trial). ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01000727

SALACIA (Effects of Tolvaptanvs Fluid Restriction in Hospitalized Subjects With DilutionalHyponatremia). ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01227512

Affiliation with Professional Organizations

• Fellow, American College of Physician’s (FACP)
• Fellow, American Heart Association (FAHA)
• Fellow, American College of Cardiology (FACC)
• Fellow, Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (FSCAI)

Selected Publications

1. Chen Y, Fujita T, Zhang D, Doan H, Pinkaew D, Liu Z, Wu J, Koide Y, Chiu A, Lin CJC, Chang JY, Ruan KH, Fujise K: The physical and functional antagonism between tumor suppressor protein p53 and fortilin, an anti-apoptotic protein. Journal of Biological Chemistry 2011; July 27 in press. PMID: 21795694

2. Kuo HK, Fujise K: Human papillomavirus and cardiovascular disease among U.S. women in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003-2006. Journal of American College of Cardiology; 2011, in press.

3. Koide Y, Tonganunt M, Kato Y, and Fujise K.Fortilin-Deficiency Causes Embryonic Lethality Through The Overactivation of BMP4 Pathway. Biochimica et BiophysicaActa 2009;1790:326-38 PMCID: PMC2695948

4. Fujita T, Felix K, Pinkaew D, Hutadilok-Towatana N, Liu Z, Fujise K. Human fortilin is a molecular target of dihydroartemisnin. FEBS Letter 2008; 582(7):1055-60. PMCID: PMC2727609

5. Graidist P, Yazawa M, Tonganunt M, Nakatomi A, Lin CC, Chang J, Phongdara A, Fujise K. Fortilin binds Ca2+ and blocks Ca2+-dependent apoptosis in vivo. Biochemical Journal 2007; 408(2):181-91. PMCID: PMC2267342

6. Graidist P, Fujise K, Wanna W, Sritunyalucksana K, Phongdara A: Establishing A Role For Shrimp Fortilin In Preventing Cell Death. Aquaculture 2006; 255:157-164. ISSN: 0044-848

7. Graidist P, Phongdara A, and Fujise K: Antiapoptotic protein partners fortilin and MCL1 independently protect cells from 5-FU-induced cytotoxicity: Fortilin-MCL1 interaction in apoptosis. Journal of Biological Chemistry 2004; 279:40868-40875. PMID: 15262975

8. Mnjoyan ZH, Dutta R, Zhang D, Teng BBand Fujise K: Paradoxical upregulation of tumor suppressor protein p53 in serum-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells. Circulation 2003; 108:4:464-471. PMID: 12860918

9. Tulis DA, Mnjoyan ZH, Schiesser R, Shelat HS, Zoldehelyi P, Fujise K: Adenoviral Gene Transfer of Fortilin Attenuates Neointima Formation Through Suppression of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Migration. Circulation 2003; 107:98–105. PMID: 12515750

10. Zhang D, Li F, Mnjoyan ZH, Weidner D, Fujise K: Physical and functional interaction between MCL1 and fortilin. The potential role of MCL1 as a fortilin chaperone. Journal of Biological Chemistry 2002; 227 (40):37430-37438. PMID: 12149273

11. Li F, Zhang D and Fujise K: Characterization of fortilin, a novel anti-apoptotic protein. Journal of Biological Chemistry 2001;276(50):47542-47549. PMID: 11598139

12. Fujise K, Zhang D, Liu JL and Yeh ETH: Regulation of Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Progression by MCL1. Differential Role of MCL1. Journal of Biological Chemistry 2000, 275(50):39458-65. PMID: 10978339

13. Gong L, Kamitani T, Fujise K, Caskey LS, Yeh ETH: Preferential Interaction of Sentrin with a Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme, Ubc9. Journal of Biological Chemistry: 1997, 272(45)28198-201. PMID: 9353268

14. Fujise K, Stacy L, Beck P, Yeh ETH, Chuang A, Brock TA, Willerson JT: Differential effects of endothelin receptor activation on cyclic flow variations in rat mesenteric arteries. Circulation 1997; 96(10);3641-6. PMID: 9396466

15. Fujise K, Revelle M, Stacy L, Willerson JT, Beck P: A tPA/P-selectin fusion protein is an effective thrombolytic agent. Circulation 1997; 95:715-722. PMID: 9024162

Honors and Award

Trainee, NIH National Research Service Award
Scientist Development Award, American Heart Association
NIH Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award (KO8)
Established Investigator Award, American Heart Association
Master Teacher Award, Dean’s Office, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Patents

1. “Methods And Compositions Relating To Fortilin, An Anti-Apoptotic Molecule, And Modulators Of Fortilin”, USPO: 10/021,753 (Awarded)

2. “Composition and Method for Treatment and Prevention of Restenosis”, USPO: 10/448,664 (Awarded)