Investigating a Central Role for the newly identified adipokine- C1q/TNF-Related Protein and its proangiogenic properties involved in myocardial protection. (360G-Wellcome-202429_Z_16_Z)

Diabetes and obesity have increased over the last decade, leading to a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The underlying cardiovascular pathology varies from defective contractility to inflammation and damage to blood vessels. White adipose tissue (WAT) has been identified as a metabolically active endocrine organ that affects a plethora of body functions by releasing important chemical mediators, termed adipokines. The adipokines have effects that may be beneficial and/or detrimental to cardiovascular physiology, some adipose tissue-derived molecules have been shown to be cardioprotective. However, long term cardiac remodelling remains controversial. Recently, a family of adiponectin-paralogs have been discovered known as C1q/TNF-related proteins (CTRP) their physiological and functional properties are now being investigated. This research proposal is designed to investigate the effect of CTRP on endothelial cell angiogenesis with respect to endothelial angiogenic factors, specifically, MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF. Since both AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK-a stress-activated protein kinase), and Akt (signal transduction pathway that promotes survival and growth) signalling has been up regulated on treatment with CTRP in the ischaemic hearts, demonstrating a myocardial protective role. Hence, this project will examine the signalling pathways of CTRP13 in endothelial biology and angiogenesis.