Sheffield research to find new treatment to ‘switch off’ life-threatening genes

We have awarded £800,000 to researchers at the University of Sheffield to develop a new gene therapy that will treat heart and circulatory diseases.

Gene therapy

The research team, led by Professor Paul Evans at the Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, have identified a gene called TWIST1, which is associated with atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis, where there’s a build-up of fatty substances in the blood vessels, can eventually lead to formation of a blood clot. This can block the blood supply to parts of the heart and brain, causing life-threatening heart attacks and strokes.

TWIST1 ‘switches on’ other disease-causing genes and causes blood vessels to become leaky and inflamed. The team now aim to understand how TWIST1 is involved in the underlying processes which cause atherosclerosis, to ultimately slow or stop the progression of heart disease in the future.

Professor Paul Evans, Professor of Cardiovascular Science and lead researcher at the University of Sheffield, said:

“We will be identifying a drug to target a gene which contributes to the build-up of fatty material in the arteries.

“Switching this gene ‘off’ will make the arteries in the heart less ‘leaky’, preventing cholesterol from building up and causing blockages which present as heart attacks and stroke.”

Many lives could be saved

Professor Jeremy Pearson, our Associate Medical Director, said:

“We know that variations in our genes play a part in the development of atherosclerosis, so if these genes can be ‘switched off’, many lives could be saved from heart and circulatory diseases.

“Funding for this research has only been made possible through the generosity of the public who support us.”