Understanding Cardiac Fibrosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding Cardiac Fibrosis
IRAS ID
291431
Contact name
Selim Cellek
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Anglia Ruskin University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Cardiac fibrosis is scarring of the heart muscle which can affect significant number of patients after an heart attack. It can potentially lead to heart failure and death. There is no medication to prevent or reverse cardiac fibrosis. We would like to study a type of cardiac cell called "myofibroblast" which is generally accepted to be responsible for this pathology. By studying myofibroblast, we envisage to gain further understanding on how it functions and how it causes fibrosis. More importantly, we can test already approved drugs on these cells in the laboratory with the aim repurposing some of these drugs to prevent or reverse cardiac fibrosis.
We are proposing to obtain 2 mm by 2 mm atrial tissue during the heart surgery. The patients are normally connected to cardiopulmonary bypass machine (also known as heart lung machine). This machine takes over the functions of the heart and lungs while the operation is being done. During the surgery, part of the heart called atrium will be connected to the machine where some of the heart tissue is tied off in order to secure a good link with the machine. Once the machine is disconnected from the heart, some of the tied tissue will remain redundant. We will be seeking the consent of the patients to take 2 mm x 2 mm part of this tissue which will be otherwise redundant. Taking that piece will not have any impact on the function of the heart or will present no additional risk.
Our research team has more than 5 years experience in working with myofibroblasts; we have successfully isolated, characterised and tested myofibroblasts from two other fibrotic conditions. Adding cardiac myofibroblasts to this research programme will not only benefit patients with cardiac fibrosis but also other patients with other fibrotic conditions.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/PR/0121
Date of REC Opinion
19 Mar 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion