Grant: Operating Grant

Classical cardiovascular risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia and cigarette smoking are associated with an impairment of neovascularization, the protective growth of new vessels in response to ischemia. However, the precise mechanisms that are involved in that physiopathology remain to be determined. Micro RNAs (miRs) are small noncoding RNAs that are emerging as key regulators of several physiological and pathophysiological processes, including neovascularization. We propose that cardiovascular risk factors involving excessive oxidative stress levels lead to dysregulation in the pattern of expression of miRs. Using a combination of in vitro and in vivo models, our study will identify important novel mechanisms that are involved in the modulation of ischemia-induced neovascularization in pathological conditions. Micro RNAs could eventually represent novel therapeutic targets to improve neovascularisation and restore tissue function in ischemic cardiovascular diseases.