UCLA researchers in the Department of Medicine have developed a small molecule compound to ameliorate vascular calcification in many cardiovascular diseases.
BACKGROUND:
Vascular calcification is the pathological deposition of mineral in the vessel wall. More research has showed that vascular calcification is a consequence of deposition of ill-fated osteoblastic-like cells in the vascular system. Vascular progenitor cells undergo transitions to gain plasticity and become ill-fated osteoblastic-like cells that contribute to disease progression. Vascular calcification is a severe complication that increases mortality of cardiovascular disease. However, the primary medical therapy is lacking. Furthermore, it is unknown if the disease progression can be reversed through inducing osteoblastic-endothelial transition to ameliorate vascular calcification.
INNOVATION:
Dr. Yucheng Yao and colleagues in the Department of Medicine have developed small molecule inhibitors to convert ill-fated osteoblasts into normal endothelial-like cells, thereby ameliorating vascular calcification. They demonstrated that the small molecules switched the profile between osteoblast and endothelial cells. The small molecules further induce osteoblasts to lose osteogenic capacity in bone formation and gain endothelial function in vascular repairing. A switch of ill-fated osteoblasts toward normalization effectively prevent and halt the progression of vascular calcification in a mouse model.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:
• Treatment for vascular calcification in many cardiovascular diseases
ADVANTAGES:
• Stable small molecules
• Reverse ill-fated osteoblasts into normal endothelial-cells
• Allows vascular repairing
DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:
The study has been validated in a mouse model.