Grant: Project Grant

Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death worldwide. One major risk factor is having high levels of cholesterol in the blood, especially "bad cholesterol," also known as LDL cholesterol. This cholesterol can build up inside blood vessels, causing them to narrow and harden. Over time, this process, called atherosclerosis, can reduce or block blood flow and lead to heart attacks and strokes. Medications called statins are commonly used to lower LDL cholesterol and can significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, many patients cannot tolerate statins, especially at higher doses. Another type of medication, called PCSK9 inhibitors, can also lower cholesterol levels, but these drugs are expensive and not widely accessible. As a result, many people continue to develop cardiovascular disease. In Canada alone, tens of thousands of heart attacks and strokes still occur each year. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new and more effective treatments. LDL cholesterol is mainly removed from the blood by a protein called the LDL receptor. Our research aims to develop new approaches to increase LDL receptor levels, lower blood bad cholesterol levels, and ultimately reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.