Endothelial cells play an important role in regulating several aspects of cardiovascular health. Our lab has identified a group of seven microRNAs (miRs) that are upregulated during DNA damage and oxidative stress in endothelial cells. Some of these miRs induce DNA damage, cell death and senescence in endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo. We have characterized a DNA damage network as being targets of these miRs. This proposal aims to investigate A) How these miRs are regulated in response to stressors? B) What are the mechanisms by which these miR-target network interactions lead to endothelial death and dysfunction and finally C) evaluate a novel anti-angiogenic strategy by targeting this miR-target network and any potential synergy with VEGF inhibition in vivo. Our studies will establish a new paradigm for inhibiting angiogenesis using miR- mediated disruption of DNA repair.
Endothelial cells that line our blood vessels are important cells that are dysfunctional in a number of diseases including cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease and cancer. DNA damage is one of the major mechanisms that contribute to endothelial dysfunction and affect blood vessel growth. In this proposal, we will ask how small RNAs are induced and impact endothelial responses to DNA damage and test different approaches to target these molecules to inhibit aberrant blood vessel growth.
