Project leader: Professor David Kaye
Cardiac fibrosis (scarring) is a common finding in many forms of heart failure. In the setting of a heart attack, scarring is typically localised to the region of heart damage whilst in other forms of heart failure the scarring is widespread. We are interested in the way in which the latter form of fibrosis develops. Studies in our lab have shown that inflammatory signals are key drivers of cardiac fibrosis and the use of pharmacologic antagonists (e.g. those directed against CXCR4). Current studies are also aimed at factors that govern the pattern of fibrosis in specific forms of heart failure (HF). For example, the nature of fibrosis around small blood vessels appears to differ according to the stage and severity of HF. Recent data also suggest that perivascular fibrosis may also be present in other tissue of the body in HF and this may be very important in patients with HF.
Current focus
- Causes and consequences of perivascular fibrosis in heart failure
These studies will also address the effects of fibrosis on the microcirculation. - Investigating the presence and impact of perivascular fibrosis beyond the heart in HF