Description du projet
Stratégies de prévention des maladies cardiovasculaires: les leçons des dauphins
La dysfonction artérielle est l’un des problèmes associés au vieillissement pouvant entraîner des maladies cardiovasculaires (MCV), première cause de décès en Europe. Le projet Arterial Aging, financé par l’UE, étudiera comment les changements liés à l’âge dans le microbiome intestinal connus pour activer les voies de signalisation pro-oxydantes et pro-inflammatoires peuvent moduler la fonction artérielle. Les scientifiques effectueront des analyses dans des modèles expérimentaux pour associer la composition du microbiote intestinal à des phénotypes vasculaires. Ils exploreront également si les cétacés, tels que les baleines et les dauphins, ont un mécanisme de protection pour prévenir la dysfonction artérielle associée à la plongée. Les résultats dévoileront potentiellement un nouveau rôle du microbiote intestinal en biologie vasculaire avec des conséquences cliniques importantes.
Objectif
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death in Europe. Arterial dysfunction develops with aging making advancing age the primary risk factor for CVD. Advancing age can induce adverse changes in the gut microbiome, which in turn, can activate systemic pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory signaling pathways with detrimental downstream consequences. One main objective of this project is to investigate the role of the gut microbiome in modulating arterial function with aging. To approach this objective, I will carry out two experimental studies: 1) mouse-to mouse transplant of gut microbiota to investigate if gut microbiota transfers vascular phenotypes. This experiment will show if gut microbiota modulates arterial function with aging, and will provide insight into the mechanisms involved. 2) Germ-free mice with microbiota samples from human subjects to determine the contribution of the human microbiome to a particular phenotype.
Cetaceans are long-lived mammals and excellent divers. They undergo constant cycles of tissue hypoxia-reoxygenation and shear stress caused by vascular adjustments while diving. In humans, these adjustments produce an elevation of oxidative stress and inflammation markers and impairment of the endothelial function. Thus, another main objective of this proposal is to explore if cetaceans, i.e. whales and dolphins, have developed an endothelium-protective mechanism to prevent arterial dysfunction with age and diving. To approach this objective I will study vascular function, circulating oxidative stress and inflammation markers, and gut microbiome of cetaceans of different ages in captivity as well as stranded animals.
The objectives to investigate the role of the gut microbiome in modulating arterial function with aging will be carried during the first two years in the outgoing phase. This knowledge will be transfer to the host institution for the study of vascular function and gut microbiome in cetaceans of different ages.
Champ scientifique
Programme(s)
Régime de financement
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinateur
35001 Las Palmas De Gran Canaria
Espagne