Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Εφαρμογές της Βιολογίας στην ΙατρικήLibrary of the School of Science
Supervisors info:
Δημήτριος Στραβοπόδης, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Βιολογίας, Εθνικό Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
Ισιδώρα Παπασιδέρη, Καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Βιολογίας, Εθνικό Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
Δημήτριος Μπέης, Ερευνητής Β’, Ίδρυμα Ιατροβιολογικών Ερευνών Ακαδημίας Αθηνών
Original Title:
In vivo μελέτη γονιδίων που επάγονται κατά τη διάρκεια αναγέννησης καρδιακών βαλβίδων
Translated title:
An in vivo study of genes which are induced during cardiac valves regeneration
Summary:
Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for the deaths of millions of people each year and include a wide variety of diseases which are usually caused due to heart disorders. Thus, the scientists were triggered to investigate the molecular and genetic mechanisms which influence the differentiation, development and heart shaping in order to elucidate the causes of heart diseases. The aim of these studies is to discover specialized therapeutic strategies. The animal model Danio rerio (zebrafish) is widely used for the study of cardiovascular system. This organism has many advantages, one of which is the ability to regenerate its heart. Identifying the signaling pathways involved in the regeneration process would help to exploit them in a case of mammalian heart damage, to induce regeneration. Experiments were carried out, where cardiac valve injury has been induced in transgenic zebrafish lines. Following the regenerating process, the hearts were isolated at specific time points post injury and then the transcriptional signature of regenerating valves was characterized. Some genes have been identified to be induced during regeneration and we decided to further investigate their role: snai1a, nr4a3, hhatlb, sfrp2 και zgc:92518. In the present study, we have studied the phenotypes of zebrafish embryos for five days post fertilization, which were caused by the inhibition of translation of these genes using antisense morpholino oligonucleotides. The phenotypes included cardiac edema, absence of blood circulation and abnormal development of the embryonic vessels along their body axis. Therefore, these genes appear to be involved in the development and formation of zebrafish cardiovascular system as well as probably in the regeneration process of heart valves. In conclusion, identifying the regulatory role of these genes and the pathways they participate, we might be able to stimulate the endogenous regenerating potential in mammals.
Main subject category:
Science
Keywords:
Cardiovascular system, regeneration, cardiac valves, reverse genetics
