Finding out if protein called Brn-3b controls aortic stiffness

Studying a novel regulator of collagen expression in VSMC and links to hypertension (Ms Vaishaali Yogendran)

Dr Vishwanie Budhram Mahadeo from University College London is studying a protein called Brn-3b, to find out if this protein could hold the key to preventing stiffness of the heart’s major artery. The aorta is a large, elastic blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart and responds to changing blood flow. People who are older, diabetic or overweight can experience increased aortic stiffness, causing high blood pressure and increasing heart disease and stroke risk. These changes arise because blood vessel wall cells called smooth muscle cells change and make proteins such as collagen, which can increase stiffness, but we don’t understand the factors triggering them. Dr Mahadeo believes a master switch protein called Brn-3b is essential to maintain healthy blood vessels. Mice without Brn-3b develop high blood pressure and diabetes at younger ages and have stiffer aortas, with high levels of collagen. Brn-3b switches genes on or off and may stop collagen production by specialised smooth muscle cells in the aorta. In this project, Dr Mahadeo’s PhD student will analyse aortas from mice without Brn-3b to look for changes in smooth muscle cells. He will work out how Brn-3b suppresses collagen in these cells, and will identify factors that can increase or reduce Brn-3b activity. By studying Brn-3b in detail, this research could reveal new ways to stop early damage to blood vessels and prevent aortic stiffness.