Scientists are uncovering insights into heart attacks and strokes through studies on cellular 'glue' at the University of Virginia Health System.
In a groundbreaking study led by Dr. Mete Civelek and his team at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, researchers have delved into the intricate world of cardiovascular diseases like strokes and heart attacks, unraveling the mysteries hidden within the cellular "glue" that our bodies produce to shield us from these deadly threats. Atherosclerosis, the accumulation of fatty plaques in our blood vessels, poses a significant risk to our cardiovascular health. Our bodies respond by enveloping these plaques with fibrous caps to prevent them from dislodging and causing catastrophic events.
By focusing on the scaffold-like structure formed over these plaques, the researchers aimed to gain insights into the factors influencing our susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases. They discovered that the extracellular matrix, a glue-like substance rich in proteins secreted by smooth muscle cells lining our blood vessels, plays a crucial role in fortifying these plaques and preventing them from rupturing. Through a unique approach that combined human genetics data spanning two decades with an extensive resource of smooth muscle cells, the team uncovered how our genetic makeup influences the secretion of proteins by these cells, ultimately impacting plaque stability.
Analyzing proteins in smooth muscle cells obtained from 123 heart transplant donors, the researchers identified key genes responsible for producing these critical proteins. By tracing back to 20 genomic locations housing these genes, they identified a genetic variation that heightens the risk of arterial hardening, shedding light on the types of proteins that contribute to cardiovascular risk. This breakthrough could enable healthcare providers to pinpoint individuals at higher risk of plaque destabilization, potentially averting life-threatening events like heart attacks and strokes.
Moreover, the study elucidated why the actions of smooth muscle cells can sometimes be beneficial and at other times detrimental. This nuanced understanding could prove invaluable in the development of novel treatments for atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular conditions. The identification of a specific protein, LTBP1, believed to play a pivotal role in plaque stability, opens up avenues for further research to explore its therapeutic potential. Dr. Civelek expressed optimism about translating these findings into tangible benefits for patient care in the near future.
The findings of this groundbreaking research have been published in the esteemed scientific journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. The research team comprised esteemed scientists and researchers, including Rédouane Aherrahrou, Ferheen Baig, Konstantinos Theofilatos, Dillon Lue, Alicia Beele, Tiit Örd, Minna U. Kaikkonen, Zouhair Aherrahrou, Qi Cheng, Saikat Ghosh, Santosh Karnewar, Vaishnavi Karnewar, Aloke Finn, Gary K. Owens, Michael Joner, and Manuel Mayr, in addition to Dr. Civelek. The research received support from various organizations, including the American Heart Association, the National Institutes of Health, the Academy of Finland, the European Research Council, and the Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research, among others.
The Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Virginia, a collaborative program between the School of Medicine and the School of Engineering, played a pivotal role in facilitating this cutting-edge research. By unraveling the secrets of our cellular "glue," this study paves the way for a deeper understanding of cardiovascular diseases and holds promise for the development of innovative treatments that could potentially save countless lives.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1036978
By focusing on the scaffold-like structure formed over these plaques, the researchers aimed to gain insights into the factors influencing our susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases. They discovered that the extracellular matrix, a glue-like substance rich in proteins secreted by smooth muscle cells lining our blood vessels, plays a crucial role in fortifying these plaques and preventing them from rupturing. Through a unique approach that combined human genetics data spanning two decades with an extensive resource of smooth muscle cells, the team uncovered how our genetic makeup influences the secretion of proteins by these cells, ultimately impacting plaque stability.
Analyzing proteins in smooth muscle cells obtained from 123 heart transplant donors, the researchers identified key genes responsible for producing these critical proteins. By tracing back to 20 genomic locations housing these genes, they identified a genetic variation that heightens the risk of arterial hardening, shedding light on the types of proteins that contribute to cardiovascular risk. This breakthrough could enable healthcare providers to pinpoint individuals at higher risk of plaque destabilization, potentially averting life-threatening events like heart attacks and strokes.
Moreover, the study elucidated why the actions of smooth muscle cells can sometimes be beneficial and at other times detrimental. This nuanced understanding could prove invaluable in the development of novel treatments for atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular conditions. The identification of a specific protein, LTBP1, believed to play a pivotal role in plaque stability, opens up avenues for further research to explore its therapeutic potential. Dr. Civelek expressed optimism about translating these findings into tangible benefits for patient care in the near future.
The findings of this groundbreaking research have been published in the esteemed scientific journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. The research team comprised esteemed scientists and researchers, including Rédouane Aherrahrou, Ferheen Baig, Konstantinos Theofilatos, Dillon Lue, Alicia Beele, Tiit Örd, Minna U. Kaikkonen, Zouhair Aherrahrou, Qi Cheng, Saikat Ghosh, Santosh Karnewar, Vaishnavi Karnewar, Aloke Finn, Gary K. Owens, Michael Joner, and Manuel Mayr, in addition to Dr. Civelek. The research received support from various organizations, including the American Heart Association, the National Institutes of Health, the Academy of Finland, the European Research Council, and the Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research, among others.
The Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Virginia, a collaborative program between the School of Medicine and the School of Engineering, played a pivotal role in facilitating this cutting-edge research. By unraveling the secrets of our cellular "glue," this study paves the way for a deeper understanding of cardiovascular diseases and holds promise for the development of innovative treatments that could potentially save countless lives.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1036978
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