Grant: Operating Grant

We have recently uncovered a functional oxytocin (OT) system in the human and rat heart, linked natriuretic peptides (NPs) and nitric oxide (NO) as well as shown an important role in cardiac development and cardiomyogenesis. We now propose to investigate the hypothesis that specific interaction (and balance) between the OT, nitric oxide (NO) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) systems exists to maintain cardiac homeostasis by controlling cardiac cell differentiation and cellular and metabolic effects in the heart. To substantiate this hypothesis, we are proposing to: i) characterize the molecules OT and elongated form of OT (OT-GKR) which is the main form present in the fetal and newborn heart and elucidate their signaling pathways in the heart cells. ii) study OT and OTX action on glucose uptake in newborn and adult rat CM in normal, ischemic and pathological conditions such as diabetes. The present studies will provide a comprehensive analysis of cardiac OT biology. Particular attention will be given to the OT control of cardiac cell functionality and the evidence that modulation of OT signalling could serve as a versatile strategy for improving cardiovascular functions and preventing abnormalities associated with cardiovascular pathologies. These observations may lead to new therapeutic approaches.