Stephen G. Shaughnessy

, MSc, PhD

Professor, Pathology and Molecular Medicine

Division: Molecular Medicine

FAHS Medical Sciences Graduate Program

Hamilton General Hospital
David Braley Research Institute C4-120
905 521-2100, ext 40740, Lab ext 40715
Steve.Shaughnessy@taari.ca

Currently accepting Graduate Students
Currently accepting Post Doctoral Fellows

Education and Professional Standing

• PhD Medical Sciences,McMaster University, 1992
• MSc Biological Sciences, Brock University, 1985

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Interests

Research Focus

Dr. Shaughnessy’s research interests include the effects of anticoagulants on bone morphology and metabolism as well as various aspects of vascular biology. His primary research focus involves heparin, where he strives to outline the mechanisms by which heparin and low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) cause bone loss.  Using both in vivo and in vitro mouse models of heparin-induced bone loss, Dr. Shaughnessy has demonstrated that heparin decreases osteoblastic activity and increases osteoclastic activity. He has also discovered Interleukin-11 is strongly involved in the pathogenesis of heparin-induced bone loss, and that LMWHs produce bone loss to a lesser extent than that of heparin.  His work in postmenopausal bone loss has shown great success, where he has effectively restored previously lost bone in overiectomized mice by targeting a specific cytokine.  For this, Dr. Shaughnessy now holds several Canadian, US and European patents. 

Dr. Shaugnhnessy has recently started to investigate the effects of heparin and tissue factor on a cancerous cells’ ability to metastasize.  He is also currently investigating the mechanisms and reasons behind vascular calcification. At present, he hypothesizes that under certain conditions, vascular smooth muscle cells and pluripotent stem cells from the arterial wall are capable of osteogenic differentiation.  

Academic Interests

At the graduate level, Dr. Shaughnessy acts as course coordinator and lecturer for Molecular and Cellular Pathology (MS729A) and has done so for over ten years.  He is also a session lecturer in Cell Biology (MS701) and Vascular Diseases, Haemostasis and Thrombosis (MS732). In addition to his teaching, Dr. Shaughnessy acts as supervisor to PhD and Masters Students.

Dr. Shaughnessy is a member of the Graduate Admissions and Study Counsel for the Faculty of Health Sciences as well as a member of the Faculty of Health Sciences Graduate Scholarship Committee.  Previously, Dr. Shaughnessy was the Area Coordinator for the Cell Biology and Metabolism program and he was Chair of the Medical Sciences Admissions Committee.

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Team Members

Lab Technician

Martin Butcher

Graduate Students

Melec Zeadin (PhD), Amanda Politano (MSc)

Selected Publications

• Taylor J, Butcher M, Zeadin M, Politano A, Shaughnessy SG. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein promotes osteoblast differentiation in primary cultures of vascular smooth muscle cells by upregulating osterix expression in an Msx2-dependent manner. 2010. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry. Submitted. 
• Politano A, Butcher M, Zeadin M, Gross P, Vaezzadeh N, Shaughnessy SG. The role of tissue factor in osteolytic bone metastasis. 2010. Cancer Growth and Metastasis. In Press. 
• Zeadin M, Butcher M, Werstuck G, Khan M, Yee CK, Shaughnessy SG. Effect of leptin on vascular calcification in Apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. 2009. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 29: 2069-2075. 
• Yee CK, Butcher M, Zeadin M, Weitz JI, Shaughnessy SG. Inhibition of osteolytic bone metastasis by unfractionated heparin. 2008. Clinical and Experimental Metastasis 25: 903-911.
• Bear M, Butcher M, Shaughnessy SG. Oxodized low-density lipoprotein acts synergistically with ß-glycerophosphate to induce osteoblast differentiation in primary cultures of vascular smooth muscle cells.  2008. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 105:185-193.
• Rajgopal R, Bear M, Butcher MK, Shaughnessy SG. The effects if heparin and low molecular weight heparin on bone. 2008. Thrombosis Research 122: 293-298.
• Rajgopal R, Butcher M, Weitz JI, Shaughnessy SG. Heparin synergistically enhances interleukin-11-signalling through upregulation of the MAPK pathway. 2006. J. Biol Chem. 281(30): 20780-20787.
• Yang L, Simon RR, Osip SL, Shaughnessy SG. The effect of heparin on osteoblast differentiation and activity in primary cultures of bovine aortic smooth muscle cells.  2005. Atherosclerosis 179: 79-86.
• Osip SL, Butcher M, Young E, Yang L, Shaughnessy SG. Differential effects of heparin and low molecular weight heparin on osteoblastogenesis and adipogenesis in vitro. 2004. Thrombosis and Haemostasis 92(4):803-810.
• Simon RR, Shaughnessy SG. Effects of anticoagulants on bone. 2004. Clinical Reviews in Bone and Mineral Metabolism 2(2): 151-158.
• Shaughnessy SG, Deschamps P, Walton KJ, Beaudin S. Neutralization of Interleukin-11 activity decreases osteoclast formation and increases cancellous bone volume in ovariectomized mice. 2002. Cytokine 20:(2): 78-85.
• Walton KJ, Duncan JM, Deschamps P, Shaughnessy SG. Heparin acts synergistically with Interleukin-11 to induce STAT3 activation and In Vitro osteoclast formation. 2002. Blood 100:(7): 2530-2536.
• Simon RR, Beaudin SM, Johnston M, Thompson KJ, Shaughnessy SG. Long-term Treatment with Sodium Warfarin in Decreased Femoral Bone Strength and Cancellous Bone Volume in Rats. 2002. Thrombosis Research 105 (4): 353-358.