Improving regeneration of blood vessel cells in circulatory diseases

Modulating glycolysis in vascular progenitors to improve tissue regeneration in ischaemic disease

Belfast researchers are part of the global research effort to boost the body’s own repair systems to combat circulatory diseases. A major global research effort is underway to help the body to repair and/or grow new blood vessels to prevent or reverse the health problems caused by circulatory diseases. These problems include heart attack, peripheral artery disease – which can lead to limb amputation- and strokes. These researchers are looking for ways to help the important cells that line blood vessels – known as endothelial cells – to repair blood vessels. The team in Belfast have identified endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) which are precursors to endothelial cells. ECFCs have potential to be used to boost blood vessel repair where it’s needed. However, ECFCs would need a lot of energy to carry out this role, which would require a lot of oxygen. This is a drawback, because in diseased blood vessels there is less blood flow, and therefore less oxygen supply. So, to be useful, ECFCs need to make energy in another way that doesn’t require so much oxygen. It’s thought that ECFCs can already switch to low-oxygen energy production, and these researchers will investigate this switch. If we can find a way to help ECFCs to switch more efficiently, earlier, or for longer, they may become a useful tool for blood vessel repair and treatment of disease.