Regulation of the proatherogenic activity of CC chemokines by purinergic co-signalling in human monocytes
Dr Samuel Fountain has been awarded a three-year grant to find out how immune cells called monocytes contribute to atherosclerosis – the build-up of fatty deposits (plaques) in blood vessel walls which causes coronary heart disease. During atherosclerosis, monocytes are attracted from the blood into the walls of the blood vessel by signals released by other inflammatory cells, causing a plaque to develop in the vessel wall. The signals also instruct the monocytes to release a molecule called ATP. Dr Fountain and colleagues will work out exactly how monocytes are switched on to produce ATP and why this activation encourages the cells to infiltrate the lining of blood vessels. The researchers hope to find ways to stop the monocytes from infiltrating the vessel wall, which could prevent or stop the inflammation associated with atherosclerosis. Understanding how atherosclerosis develops will in future help researchers develop new medicines to treat this life threatening condition.
Project details
| Grant amount | £217,673 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Project Grants |
| Application type | Project Grant |
| Start Date | 16 September 2013 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | PG/13/22/30077 |
| Status | Complete |
