Role For Sphingosine Kinase-1 In Endothelial Progenitor Cell Survival And Differentiation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$294,205.00
Summary
Lay description: Collectively, diseases of the vascular system contribute immensely to the burden of health care in Australia. Notably, abnormal blood vessel formation and function (angiogenesis) has been identified as a major cause or contributor to the vascular complications associated with inflammation, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Endothelial cells are one of the principle cells of blood vessels forming a barrier between the blood and tissues. This project aims to understand th ....Lay description: Collectively, diseases of the vascular system contribute immensely to the burden of health care in Australia. Notably, abnormal blood vessel formation and function (angiogenesis) has been identified as a major cause or contributor to the vascular complications associated with inflammation, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Endothelial cells are one of the principle cells of blood vessels forming a barrier between the blood and tissues. This project aims to understand the process whereby mature endothelial cells are formed and how replacement of damaged endothelial cells is normally achieved. Stem cell therapy is considered the new frontier for the treatment of many diseases. Understanding how endothelial progenitor cells differentiate to mature endothelial cells and the signals which operate inside the cell may allow therapeutic manipulation of key target moecules in order to limit or control inflammation, tumourigenesis, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetic retinopathy. Our results suggest that one target maybe the enzyme sphingosine kinase.Read moreRead less
The lining of the uterus is unusual compared to other parts of the adult body in that new blood vessels grow and then breakdown during menstruation every month. The aim of this project is to understand what controls the growth and regression of these uterine blood vessels. This information is of immediate relevance to a number of clinical problems where an ability to either promote or prevent blood vessel growth would be of major advantage. For example, increased blood vessel growth would accele ....The lining of the uterus is unusual compared to other parts of the adult body in that new blood vessels grow and then breakdown during menstruation every month. The aim of this project is to understand what controls the growth and regression of these uterine blood vessels. This information is of immediate relevance to a number of clinical problems where an ability to either promote or prevent blood vessel growth would be of major advantage. For example, increased blood vessel growth would accelerate wound healing, while blocking blood vessel growth would prevent the growth and spread of cancers. Another disorder that could be controlled through preventing blood vessel growth is endometriosis, a disease where cells from the lining of the uterus grow inside the abdomen causing pain and infertility. Endometriosis affects upto 10% of women.Read moreRead less