Research lines
Cardiovascular Signaling & Metabolism
Cardiovascular remodeling involves genetic, molecular and cellular changes in cardiomyocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) which leads to progressive structural and functional alterations. Usually initiated as an adaptive mechanism, this process contributes to the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. Therapies aiming to counteract common underlying mechanisms have proven successful in attenuating or even preventing cardiovascular remodeling. However, despite such success, these therapies have not succeeded in reducing heart failure progression. Recently, cell metabolism has emerged as a new mechanism involved in both genesis and progression of cardiovascular diseases. However, little is known how metabolic shift occurs in cardiac and VSMC and its role in the genesis and progression of cardiovascular diseases.
Our specific aims are:
- To evaluate the role of mitochondrial dynamics in the control of cardiac and VSMC metabolism and its role in cardiovascular remodeling.
- To assess the role of mitochondrial-endoplasmic reticulum interaction in the control of cardiac and VSMC metabolism and its role in cardiovascular remodeling.
- To investigate signaling pathways involved in the control of metabolism in cardiac and VSMC by angiotensin-(1-9), insulin, GLP-1 and IGF-1.
