Characterizing EVs in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA).
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Characterizing extracellular vesicles (EVs) in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)
IRAS ID
331152
Contact name
Keith Allen-Redpath
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Reading
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
There are around 7.6 million people within the UK suffering from cardiovascular disease (CVD), with an aneurysm the second most frequent disease of the aorta after atherosclerosis. This results in approximately 6K deaths annually due to aortic aneurysm rupture. Recent research has identified extracellular vesicles (EVs) as potential mediators in aortic aneurysm development and progression. However, to date, the exact role of EVs in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA) is minimal and requires further investigation. EVs are released from the surfaces of various cell types during activation, damage, or cell death and play an increasingly recognised role in both physiological and pathological processes. They are present in the plasma of healthy subjects but are elevated in clinical conditions and cardiovascular diseases. We propose to apply techniques optimised in our lab to characterise the number, cellular origin, thrombogenic activity, and protein cargo of EVs in patients with TAA compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, the project will allow a unique opportunity to compare the characteristics of EVs in patients suffering from Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BAV), a congenital heart defect, who are at more risk of developing TAA. In addition, we will seek to identify bioactive proteins in EVs and use this novel information to understand the biochemical differences between EVs from healthy subjects vs TAA patients. This project will provide us with novel information regarding EVs in TAA and could potentially lead us to the discovery of key mediators and future therapeutic targets.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SC/0216
Date of REC Opinion
18 Jul 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion