Biotech Breakthrough for Coronary Artery Disease

Over time, coronary arteries can become blocked with plaque, causing a decreased supply of blood and oxygen to the heart, often resulting in chest pain or heart attack.  Presently, severe blockages in multiple major vessels may require coronary artery bypass graft surgery, which is a major and invasive operation. Previously, researchers used growth factors -- proteins that stimulate the growth of cells -- to grow new arteries, but this method was unsuccessful. Michael Simons from Yale School of Medicine (Connecticut, USA), and colleagues attempted to simulate arterial formation by switching on and off two signaling pathways, known as ERK1/2 and P13K. Conducting their study on mice and zebrafish, the team found cross-talk between the two signaling pathways. By utilizing a drug that targets a particular enzyme, P13-kinase inhibitor, the researchers successfully grew new arteries. The team writes that: “We therefore conclude that PI3K-ERK1/2 crosstalk plays a key role in the regulation of arterial growth and that the augmentation of ERK signaling via suppression of the PI3K signaling pathway can effectively stimulate arteriogenesis.”