Testing a new strategy to treat inflammation in heart disease

Development of a NLRP3 pathway inhibitor and investigation of its inhibitory mechanism in experimental model of atherogenesis (Ms Marta Baldrighi)

Dr Xuan Li from the University of Cambridge is looking for ways to reduce inflammation, a process which is involved in the build-up of fatty plaques inside arteries. When these plaques rupture they can block blood vessels, causing a life-threatening heart attack or stroke. Dr Li has discovered a drug that stops the activation of an inflammatory molecule called NLRP3, suppressing inflammation, and possibly atherogenesis – the process that leads to plaque formation. In this project, Dr Li’s PhD student will try to understand exactly how this new drug works and how best to deliver it to the tissues where it is needed. They will test if the drug suppresses inflammation in mice with atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, while identifying new ways to improve drug formulation to maximise its beneficial effect while reducing side-effects. This study will reveal if this molecule is a potential new therapy to treat inflammatory disease associated with NLRP3 activation, including atherosclerosis. It will also provide a useful tool for researchers studying and targeting the NLRP3 pathway in a wide range of inflammatory diseases.