Extracellular matrix after acute cardiac ischemia: Mechanisms of hyaluronan-mediated protection (A08)

• Subject Area: Cardiology, Angiology
• Term: from 2015 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 236177352

The project aims to deepen the mechanistic understanding of the beneficial effects of hyaluronan (HA) matrix in cardiac ischemia. Therefore, the role of RHAMM (receptor of HA-mediated motility) will be unraveled using transgenic mice. It will be tested whether further increase of local HA/HA-signaling post-I/R by either deletion of hyaluronidases 1/-2 or overexpression of HA-synthase 2 will improve cardiac function. Furthermore, we ask whether the healing response post-I/R in T2DM is interrelated with cardiac HA synthesis. Finally, chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging will be applied to monitor early cardiac HA in large animals as a potential biomarker.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1116: Master switches in cardiac ischemia
• Applicant Institution: Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Jens W. Fischer