Grant: Operating Grant

The blockage of the coronary arteries, that is the main blood vessels that supply the heart in oxygen, can lead to myocardial infarction, also known as heart attack. Several factors influence the risk to suffer from a heart attack: sex, age, blood lipid levels, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, etc. Whether or not close relatives had heart attacks is also an independent risk factor for the disease. This indicates that our genetic make-up (or DNA sequence) can predispose or protect someone from this heart condition. Previous human genetic studies have identified DNA sequence variation on chromosome 6 that influences myocardial infarction risk. My laboratory has linked these genetic variants to the activity of a gene called PHACTR1 in the cells that form the inner layer of blood vessels (endothelium). Using molecular, cellular and genomic methodologies, this project aims to characterize how PHACTR1 influences the endothelium, and consequently heart attack risk. In the long-term, this effort may guide the development of novel therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases.