Role and function of microRNAs within microvesicles in the regulation of vascular biology

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Nikos Sebastian Werner
• Subject Area: Cardiology, Angiology
• Term: from 2015 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 257047998

Microvesicles (MV) are small membrane vesicles which are released from cells under physiological and pathological conditions. Microvesicles consists of three subgroups: exosomes (Ex, 40-100nm), microparticles (MP, 0,1µm-1µm) and apoptotic bodies (AB, 1µm-4µm). All three MV subgroups derived from endothelial cells were shown to contain and transfer functional microRNAs (miRs) between cells and thereby regulating vascular protection and regeneration. Within this proposal, we aim to asses how the packaging of selective miRs from cells into MV subgroups is regulated under physiological and pathological conditions. Furthermore, we aim to explore how miRs within MV influence vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) biology in vivo and in vitro. Finally, we aim to investigate in detail the role of miR-126 in different vascular injury models to characterize its role in neointimaformation and reendothelialization. With this proposal, we aim to contribute further knowledge about MV-associated miRs in order to probably use miRs within MV in the future as a therapeutic tool.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants