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Research in the Caron laboratory at UNC-CH is focused on elucidating unique G protein-coupled receptor pathways that are important for the development and function of the cardiovascular system. Using a variety of gene targeted animal models in conjunction with state-of-the-art in vitro cell biological systems, we have discovered fundamental roles for several secretin- and chemokine-family receptors in cardiovascular development and disease. Much of our recent work has focused on the pivotal roles that receptor activity modifying proteins (RAMPs) play in controlling receptor function, cellular signaling and physiology. The importance of the RAMP-receptor interaction is best exemplified by our work centered on the small blood protein, adrenomedullin—a potent lymphangiogenic vasodilator that serves as a prognostic indicator for many disease conditions including heart failure, nonimmune hydrops fetalis and preeclampsia. We have also used genetic tools, coupled to biochemistry and pharmacology approaches, to expand the current repertoire of RAMP-interacting GPCRs, thereby illuminating novel pharmacological targets for the modulation of a wide variety of pathophysiological conditions, including lymphedema. Our current studies are geared towards characterizing the pharmacological and physiological roles of RAMPs with several newly identified partners in the chemokine/cytokine GPCR subfamily.