Scientists from the University of Leeds have discovered through research that an angiogenesis gene can fight cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
This gene called Piezo1 can respond to changes in blood flow to control the formation of a new blood vessel network. It is precisely its function of controlling blood flow to reduce tumors or dilate arteries to achieve the purpose of curing diseases.
Researchers say this gene can limit the blood supply to some cancerous areas. Cancer cells need blood to grow, so they indirectly resist the further deterioration of cancer.
Atherosclerosis is the accumulation of a layer of lipids on the arterial wall, causing poor blood flow in some areas. Therefore, it can also be used to treat arteriosclerosis, and we all know that narrowed arteries are the culprit leading to heart disease and stroke.
Professor David Beech of the University of Leeds said: "The blood vessel network is not built in advance, but like a river, wherever it goes, it becomes a river."
"This gene can provide instructions for sensors to inform the body of the correct direction of blood flow, and send signals to form new vascular structures. It also instructs channel proteins to allow the protein to respond to the mechanical tension of blood flow to open the door and allow small currents to enter. Cells, which in turn triggers a series of transformations required for the construction of new blood vessels."
Professor David Beech also added, "We need to further study how to manipulate this gene to achieve the purpose of treating diseases. We are still in the early stages of research, but it is undeniable that these findings have very promising prospects."
This study was co-funded with the British Heart Association and has been published online in the journal Nature.
Professor Jeremy Pearson, Deputy Medical Director of the British Heart Association, said: “Blood flow plays a very important role in the health of arteries where it goes. For example, arteries are prone to disease where blood flow is disturbed. Because of the endothelium of the inner wall of the artery. Cells are very sensitive to blood flow, and their response to changes can lead to diseases such as arterial stenosis and ultimately heart disease."
"So far, little is known about how blood flow affects the process of endothelial cells. This exciting discovery tells us in mice that a protein in these cells may be the key to detecting changes in blood flow and responding. Through future research, we are expected to develop and establish a therapy that targets this process to prevent artery-related diseases."