Thesis supervisor: István Szokodi
Location of studies (in Hungarian): PTE ÁOK Pécs, Szigeti u. 12. Abbreviation of location of studies: ÁOK
Description of the research topic:
Recently, non-muscle cells, especially cardiac fibroblasts have emerged as crucial regulators in the process of cardiac remodeling. In the stressed myocardium, growth factors stimulate fibroblast proliferation and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition; however, our current knowledge regarding potential antifibrotic mechanisms is very limited. The endogenous peptide apelin and its cognate G protein-coupled apelin receptor are emerging as important regulators of the cardiovascular system. Recently, a short secretory peptide, called apela, was discovered, through mining of long non-coding RNA transcripts, which turned out to be another ligand for apelin receptor. Initially, apela was considered as an exclusively early embryonic signal crucial in cardiac development. Most recently, we reported an initial characterization of apela-apelin receptor signaling in the adult mammalian heart. We showed that apela is expressed in the adult rodent heart, predominantly in the non-cardiomyocyte fraction (i.e. cardiac fibroblasts). Moreover, we reported that the expression of both apela and apelin receptor is induced in failing mouse hearts and correlate with left ventricular ejection fraction. Our main goal is to uncover the functional significance of apela in cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts. Manipulation of the activity of fibroblasts may offer an attractive approach to effectively treat cardiac fibrosis and improve the outcome of heart failure.
Number of students who can be accepted: 1
Deadline for application: 2023-05-19
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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