Project

Exploration of the role of TGFbeta in the patoghenesis of aortic aneurysms leads to promising new treatment strategies

Code
179I5507
Duration
01 October 2007 → 30 September 2009
Funding
Regional and community funding: IWT/VLAIO
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Animal biology
    • Evolutionary biology
    • Genetics
  • Agricultural and food sciences
    • Veterinary medicine
Keywords
cardiovascular imaging aortic aneurysms TGFbeta losartan marfan syndrome
 
Project description

Based on the observation that transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm formation in Marfan syndrome and that TGFbeta antagonism with losartan in Marfan mice significantly reduces aortic root growth, a placebo controlled study with losarten in humans will be conducted. Effect of treatment will be evaluated using vascular ultrasound, echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging and magnetic resonance imaging.