2008-2012 B.S., Kinesiology & Biology, High Honors, California State University, San Bernadino, Research Mentor: Dr. Bryan L. Haddock
2012-2017 Ph.D., Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of California, Davis, Advisor: Dr. Martha E. O'Donnell
2024 - present Assistant Professor, Tenure Pathway, Department of Pharmacology, University of Vermont
2023 - 2024 Assistant Professor, Research Scholar Pathway, Department of Pharmacology, University of Vermont
2018-2023 Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Vermont, Advisor, Dr. Mark T. Nelson
2017-2018 Postdoctoral Associate, University of California, Davis, Advisor: Dr. L. Fernando Santana
Vascular Physiology Klug Lab website
Capillary networks and have traditionally been viewed as passive sites for gas and nutrient exchange and waste removal. However, considering the vast area of the brain capillaries, which constitute ~90% of all vessels in the entire vascular landscape, the potential of these microvessels to serve sensory and signaling functions comes into sharp focus. Notably, their high density and close proximity to neurons ideally position capillaries to act as sensors of local signals from surrounding neurons and glia. Critically, a wide range of neurological disorders, including ischemic and hemorrhagic small vessel diseases, dementia, migraine, and age-related cognitive decline, exhibit deficits in cerebral blood flow. The enormity of the coverage area of brain capillaries, comprising pericytes and endothelial cells, can be more fully appreciated by direct visualization (see images below).
The brain vasculature can respond to neuronal and glial signals and regulate blood flow through the activation of various receptors and ion channels. However, our understanding of the repertoire of ion channels in pericytes and capillary endothelial cells and the properties governing the propagation and amplification of signals between these cells remains incomplete. This gap in our knowledge obscures our overall understanding of blood flow regulation in the brain and how diseases may affect blood flow and brain health, thus representing a fruitful research area for many years to come.
2023-2026 American Heart Association Career Development Award
2022 Cardiovascular Research Institute of Vermont Career Development Award
2020-2023 NIH F32 National Research Service Award (NRSA) Postdoctoral Fellowship
2019 Cardiovascular Research Institute of Vermont, Early Career Research Award
2016-2017 Schwall Dissertation Year Fellowship in Medical Research
2014-2016 American Heart Association Pre-Doctoral Fellowship
2014 NIH T32 Pre-Doctoral Training Grant (declined in lieu of AHA Fellowship Funding)
2023 Klug NR*, Sancho M, Gonzales AL, Heppner TJ, Hill-Eubanks D, Nelson MT*. Intraluminal pressure elevates intracellular calcium and contracts CNS pericytes: Role of voltage-dependent calcium channels. (*co-corresponding authors.) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 120 (9) e2216421120. PMC9992766
2022 Harraz OF, Klug NR, Senatore AJ, Hill-Eubanks D, Nelson MT. Piezo1 is a mechanosensor channel in central nervous system capillaries. Circulation Research. 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.122.320827. PMC9106929
2022 Sancho M*, Klug NR*, Mughal A, Koide M, Huerta de la Cruz S, Heppner TJ, Bonev AD, Hill-Eubanks D, Nelson MT. Adenosine activates ATP-sensitive K+ channels in endothelial cells and pericytes in SNC capillaries. (* co-first authors.) Science Signaling. 15, eabl5405. PMC9623876
2021 Klug NR, Chechneva OV, Hung BY, O'Donnell ME. High glucose-induced effects on Na+-K+-Cl-cotransport and Na+/H+ exchange of blood-brain barrier endothelial cells: involvement of SGK1, PKCβII and SPAK/OSR1. American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology. 320(4), C619-C634. PMC8260356
2020 Gonzales AL, Klug NR, Moshforoush A, Lee JC, Lee FK, Shui B, Tsoukias NM, Kotlikoff MI, Hill-Eubanks D, Nelson MT. Contractile Pericytes Determine the Direction of Blood Flow at Capillary Junctions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 117(43): 27022-33. PMC7604512
2020 Ratelade J, Klug NR, Lombardi D, Angelim MK, Dabertrand F, Domenga-Denier V, Salman RA, Smith C, Gerbeau JF, Nelson MT, Joutel A. Reducing hypermuscularization of the transitional segment between arterioles and capillaries protects against spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Circulation. 141(25): 2078-94. PMC7311305
2020 O'Dwyer SC, Palacio S, Matsumoto C, Guarina L, Klug NR, Tajada S, Rosati B, McKinnon D, Trimmer JS, Fernando LF. Kv2.1 channels play opposing roles in regulating membrane potential, Ca2+ channel function, and myogenic tone in arterial smooth muscle. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 117(7). 3858-3866. PMC7035623
2020 O'Dwyer SC, Palacio S, Matsumoto C, Guarina L, Klug NR, Tajada S, Rosati B, McKinnon D, Trimmer JS, Fernando LF. Kv2.1 channels play opposing roles in regulating membrane potential, Ca2+ channel function, and myogenic tone in arterial smooth muscle. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 117(7). 3858-3866. PMC7035623