Scientists discover gene that plays a vital role in the formation of blood vessels

Scientists discover gene that plays a vital role in the formation of blood vessels -

Scientists from Leeds University have discovered a gene that plays a vital role in the formation of blood vessels, research that adds to our knowledge of how early life develops.

discovery could also lead to a better understanding of how to treat cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Professor David Beech, Medical School of the University of Leeds, who led the research, said: "blood vessels of the networks are not already pre-built, but rather emerge as a river system ships do not develop until the blood is already flowing and they are created in response to the amount of flow .. this gene, PIEZO1, provides instructions for sensors that tell the body that blood circulates properly and gives the signal to form new ship structures.

"gene provides instructions for a protein that forms channels that open in response to mechanical stress in blood flow, allowing tiny electrical charges to enter cells and trigger the necessary changes to new ships to build. "

The research team plans to study the effects of gene manipulation on cancers that need a blood supply to grow, as well as heart disease such as atherosclerosis, where plaques form in the blood vessels of the parties with the disturbed blood flow

Professor Beech added: "This work provides a fundamental understanding of the complexity of life begins and opens new possibilities for processing. health problems such as diseases and cardiovascular cancer, where changes in blood flow are common and often undesirable.

"We need to do more research on how this gene can be manipulated to treat these diseases. We are in the early stages of this research, but these results are promising "

Professor Jeremy Pearson, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, which partly funded the research, said:". Blood flow has a major effect on the health of arteries, it passes through. Arteries are more likely to become ill in areas where the flow is disrupted, for example. Indeed, endothelial cells lining the arteries are extremely sensitive to this feed and their response to changes can lead to disease, where the artery narrows and may eventually cause a heart attack.

"Until now, very little was known about the process by which blood flow affects endothelial cells. This exciting discovery in mice, says a protein in these cells could be critical in the detection and response to changes in blood flow.

"with further research, using this knowledge, we hope to see if a treatment can be developed that target this process to prevent the development of disease in healthy arteries. "