NFAT-HEART · Study of NFATc1 activation in heart valve development

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Project objective

Heart valve malformations occur in 2-3% of the population, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. However, very little is known about valve formation at the molecular level. During valve development, NFATc1 proteins are active and located in the nuclei of endocardial cells. In this research project, I propose to study the upstream regulator(s) of endocardial NFATc1 activity required for heart valve elongation and remodelling. My long-term career goal is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying heart valve development and to recapitulate these developmental processes for regenerative purposes. Preliminary studies suggest the presence of an upstream signal(s) to maintain the activity of NFATc1 during heart valve development.This project is ai med to shed light on two hypothesis:(1) a soluble myocardial signal(s) controls the activation of NFATc1 in the endocardium and(2) such a signal(s) is regulated by calcineurin/NFAT signaling in the myocardium.Specific aims of this project will be achieved using cutting-edge technologies in gene targeting, imaging techniques, cell culture and mouse embryological studies. I will use NFATc (c1-c4) and calcineurin knockout mice, Cre-lox recombination and different reporter lines to study NFATc1 function in vivo. This fellowship will provide me with the opportunity to develop a research project with great clinical relevance in two outstanding centres aimed for cardiovascular research: CCSR (Stanford University) and CNIC (Spain). My training programme will also include acquisition of complementary skills in management, ethics, communication, Given the CNIC's innovative environment and robust training program, critical mass of researchers and its close ties to some of the best basic science departments in the world, the CNIC will provide a unique environment for the development of my career as an independent investigator in Europe.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• FUNDACIÓN CENTRO NACIONAL DE INVESTIGACIONES CARDIOVASCULARES CARLOS III · MADRIDCoordinatorCity levelSpain
• DIVISION OF CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE AT CENTER FOR CLINICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH · STANFORDCity levelUnited States

Links

• View on CORDIS