The process of TGF-β auto-induction in endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Jes-Niels Boeckel
• Subject Area: Cardiology, Angiology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 547934752

The signalling transduction of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) plays an important role in the resolution of inflammation and in wound healing. TGF-β signalling is often self-amplifying and self-propagating through the process of auto-induction. Activation by the TGF-β ligand leads to the expression of TGFB mRNA and the release of the ligand. Excessive activation of TGF-β signalling has been described in the context of cancer, fibrosis and cardiovascular disease. The process of endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) induced by TGF-β plays an important role in atherosclerosis. The process of TGF-β autoinduction as an essential mechanism for the maintenance and amplification of TGF-β signalling is not yet understood in the context of EndMT. The present project aims to investigate TGF-β autoinduction at the level of post-transcriptional mRNA regulation in EndMT.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants