Extracellular nucleotides and the P2Y2 receptor: potential targets for the inhibition of vascular calcification
Dr Isabel Orriss is studying a process called calcification, when bone-like deposits of a mineral called calcium phosphate build up in the arteries, heart valves and heart muscle tissue. Calcification often occurs in people with diabetes or kidney disease, smokers and the elderly. It causes the blood vessels to stiffen and narrow so they carry less blood away from the heart and around the body. This can lead to high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, dementia and osteoporosis. We don’t yet understand what causes artery calcification and there are currently no effective treatments. Dr Orriss has found that a molecule called adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, and some related molecules can prevent these bone-like deposits forming in muscle cells taken from arteries. The researchers believe this happens by ATP signalling through another protein called P2Y2R. In this project, Dr Orriss will study this process in more detail and work out exactly how these molecules stop blood vessels becoming calcified in mice and rats. By improving our understanding of the calcification process, this research may reveal new ways to prevent or treat it, avoiding the damaging build up of calcium in blood vessels and heart valves.
Project details
| Grant amount | £178,809 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Project Grants |
| Application type | Project Grant |
| Start Date | 01 July 2015 |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Reference | PG/15/13/31296 |
| Status | Complete |
