Researchers from Rajiv Gandhi Center for Biotechnology (RGCB) have published findings here that may help reduce the risk of heart disease in diabetic patients.
Researchers have pointed to cyclophilin A, a protein that plays a role in many diseases in humans, as a potential drug target to reduce the risk of heart disease in such patients.
Heart attack results from the breakdown of cholesterol plaques deposited on the walls of arteries. A tear or rupture activates a repair mechanism that results in a blood clot. Such clots can block blood flow to the heart muscle, which can lead to a heart attack.
Dr. Surya Ramachandran, Program Scientist in Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Biology, said, “Diabetic patients are at increased risk of vascular disease and such ruptures. Our research has shown that cyclophilin A is associated with an increased risk of plays a major role.” The lab, RGCB, was quoted as saying in a statement issued by RGCB.
He said inhibitors of cyclophilin A would have potential use in reducing a person’s vulnerability to heart attacks induced by plaque rupture.
RGCB Director Prof. Chandrabhas Narayan said the research findings regarding the role played by cyclophilin A will provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiovascular diseases. He said this would help in risk detection and development of new pharmacological treatments.
Conclusion is published in Cells, an international journal on cell biology.
Dr. Ramachandran said that Cyclophilin A disrupts the process of quick and efficient clearance of cells that have been programmed to die, resulting in rapid plaque buildup in patients with type 2 diabetes. Clearing out dead cells is important for inflammation resolution in patients at cardiovascular risk.
‘eat-me’ signal
Dying cells express an ‘eat-me’ signal on their surface to attract macrophages, a type of white blood cell that removes dead cells. Cyclophilin A can induce programmed cell death of macrophages, which interferes with the natural process of “burial” of dead cells.
Dr. Ramachandran said that the findings of the research may reduce the risk of heart disease in diabetic patients.