Epigenetic changes in hypoxic cardiac fibroblasts: Implications for DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of ischaemic heart disease
In coronary heart disease, the small vessels that deliver blood supply to the heart are narrowed by the build-up of fatty plaques in the artery wall. These can rupture and cause a blood clot that can completely block the artery. The consequence of artery narrowing or blockage is that the heart receives less oxygen and nutrients. This can cause ‘fibrosis’ - thickening and scarring of the heart muscle, and can lead to problems such as life-threatening irregular heart rhythms and heart failure. Dr Chris Watson and his team in Belfast believe that a lack of oxygen in the heart causes chemical alterations to DNA that affect which genes are switched on or off in heart cells. DNA alterations like this are known as ‘epigenetic modifications’ and they have emerged in recent decades as being a very important part of gene control. In this project, they intend to understand exactly which genes are modified by low oxygen. They’ll concentrate on studying the effects in heart cells called fibroblasts, which produce substances that lead to fibrosis. Epigenetic changes to DNA are potentially reversible, so this work could form the basis of a new kind of treatment to protect the heart in people with coronary heart disease.
Project details
| Grant amount | £164,799 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Project Grants |
| Application type | Project Grant |
| Start Date | 14 January 2019 |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Reference | PG/18/21/33599 |
| Status | In Progress |
