The contribution of stretch-signalling pathways to the pathogenesis of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
The heart responds to repeated exercise and other stresses by becoming bigger in a process known as cardiac hypertrophy. In the inherited disease hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), hypertrophy is abnormal and takes place in the absence of exercise. People with HCM are susceptible to abnormal heart rhythms which can cause cardiac arrest and sudden death. Our current understanding is that HCM is caused by changes in the way the heart cells contract. This project proposes that diseased heart cells also fail to respond appropriately to the stretch they experience when the heart fills with blood. To investigate this, heart cells will be stretched on membranes and their growth response measured. Moreover, a disease-causing spelling mistake in the genomic blueprint of a HCM patient will be introduced into a mouse model to investigate how this spelling mistake causes a bigger and stiffer heart.
Project details
| Grant amount | £847,058 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Fellowships |
| Application type | Intermediate Basic Science Research Fellowship |
| Start Date | 01 September 2013 |
| Duration | 6 years, 9 months |
| Reference | FS/12/40/29712 |
| Status | In Progress |
