The role of CYP26B1 regulation of retinoic acid in cardiac development and regeneration
Our vital organs require constant nourishment with oxygen and nutrients via their blood supply. The heart’s blood supply is delivered through the coronary arteries, and if one of these becomes blocked in coronary artery disease, it causes a heart attack. Researchers are searching for ways to stimulate the body to grow new coronary arteries after a heart attack. To do this, they are studying how we formed blood vessels as embryos, to see if we can mimic this process in the adult heart. The molecule retinoic acid (RA) is made from vitamin A in the body and is involved in the formation of coronary arteries in the embryo. Obtaining the right balance of RA being made and then broken down appears to be really important in this process. Quite a lot is known about when and how RA is produced, but much less is known about how it is broken down by an enzyme called CYP26B1. Dr Robert’s team will investigate, in mice and chicken embryos, how and where in the developing or injured heart CYP26B1 is needed for the correct formation of new coronary blood vessels. If we can understand this process we might be being able to recreate the correct levels of RA in patients’ hearts after a heart attack, to potentially help make new coronary arteries and aid recovery.
Project details
| Grant amount | £313,760 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Project Grants |
| Application type | Project Grant |
| Start Date | 01 July 2017 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | PG/17/8/32840 |
| Status | In Progress |
