OTTAWA (October 7, 2005) - A team led by Dr. Janos Filep and funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), has uncovered a novel function for a protein known to elevate the risk of cardiac death. Their finding gives further insight into new avenues of treatment for combating heart attacks.
The team's research revolved around the role of the C-reactive protein and its link to acute coronary artery disease. The team expanded on recent research on C-reactive protein which showed that it acts as an indicator of inflammation. The team found that a modified form of CRP called mCRP stimulates the production of other proteins (cytokines) which control the level of leukocytes or white blood cells in circulation. In this instance, the presence of increased amount of white blood cells into the injured tissues causes inflammation around the coronary artery, and injury to the heart.
"Our findings suggest that changes in the structure of the C-reactive protein cause the formation of other proteins that increase the presence of leukocytes in the injured tissues," said Dr. Janos Filep, lead CIHR investigator, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal. "This aggravates the injury, tightens circulation to the coronary artery and consequently causes inflammation and may provoke cardiac events."
This new understanding of the biological role of various forms of CRP may allow for treatments to be adjusted to reduce inflammation in the coronary arteries, thereby preventing the occurrence of acute coronary events and ultimately to reduce death from coronary artery disease.
"The results of this research suggest that by targeting the C-reactive protein, we'll have a better chance of one day countering coronary heart disease" said Dr. Bruce McManus, Scientific Director, CIHR's Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health.
Ph.D. students Tarek Khreiss and Levente Jozsef, recipients of CIHR Doctoral Research Awards, and Dr Lawrence A. Potempa of Immtech International where also part of the research team. These findings are published in the September 30, 2005 print and online edition of CIRCULATION RESEARCH. This C-reactive protein study is part of a larger study funded by CIHR looking into the molecular mechanisms of how various forms of CRP regulate events underlying coronary artery disease.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Quebec also contributed to this study.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to close to 10,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.
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Dr. Janos Filep, the study lead investigator is available for interview. The abstract for this study is also available upon request.
Dr. McManus, Scientific Director of the CIHR Institutes of Circulatory and Respiratory Health, is available to comment on the significance of this study.
For more information, please contact:
Marie-France PoirierMedia SpecialistCIHR Media RelationsTel.: (613) 941-4563E-mail: mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
