Targeting the extracellular matrix remodelling for the treatment of obesity-associated cardio-renal dysfunction

Obesity is a risk factor for many chronic metabolic diseases including heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Our lab demonstrated a tight association between increased deposition of extracellular matrix components (e.g. collagens and hyaluronan), insulin resistance and obesity-associated cardiac and renal dysfunction. However, whether targeting these early extracellular matrix abnormalities and subsequent activation of extracellular matrix receptors is effective in preventing detrimental progression of tissue dysfunction and diseases in obesity is unknown.

This project will use both genetic and pharmacological approaches that reduce extracellular matrix accumulation for cardiac and kidney metabolic and functional phenotyping. Human kidney cells and biopsies and iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes will also be investigated for molecular mechanisms and clinical relevance.

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