Pharmacogenic gene delivery and gene therapy of restenosis

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Johannes Waltenberger
• Subject Area: Anatomy and Physiology
• Term: from 2000 to 2006
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5237328

Vascular remodelling such as atherosclerosis and restenosis have a significant health and socioeconomical impact. While our understanding of the cellular and molecular processes within the vessel wall has substantially increased over the past decade, there is still no efficient way to prevent the development of restenosis secondary to angioplasty of atherosclerotic lesions. Although some revolutionary principles have successfully been proven in different animal models, the major limitations of previous approaches that prevented successful translation into the clinical setting have either been a lack of potentcy or the inability of al locally restricted application. The major goal of this collaborative approach will be to study the mechanisms leading to the activation of vascular smooth muscle cells. This will provide an important basis for developing and testing strategies to block smooth muscle cell activation in the context of restenosis. In the joint effort presented in the current application, we will try to overcome these limitations by defining and optimizing local gene transfer strategies.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Israel, Palestine
• Participating Persons: Professor Gershon Golomb, Ph.D.; Professor Moien Kanaan, Ph.D.