Comparative endothelial cell function
Endothelial cells line the inner surface of blood vessels throughout the body and are involved in controlling inflammation, blood clotting, blood pressure and the formation of new blood vessels. Little is known about endothelial cell function in horses, despite the importance of endothelial cells in many equine diseases, and the interest in the horse as a large animal model of human diseases. This work is focused on learning more about equine endothelial cells and the differences between human and equine endothelial cell function.
Challenge
Endothelial cell function is important for all aspects of health and disease, due to the widespread location of endothelial cells lining blood vessels throughout the body. Human endothelial cells have been studied in great detail but there is relatively little information about equine endothelial cells, or indeed endothelial cells from many of the domestic species. Endothelial cell function is relevant to many diseases of horses and the horse is of increasing interest as a model of human diseases.
The horse is also an extreme athlete and therefore possesses many cardiovascular adaptations relevant to human athletic ability. Studying equine endothelial cells and establishing the similarities and differences between human and equine endothelial cells is vital to advance research in these areas.
The horse is also an extreme athlete and therefore possesses many cardiovascular adaptations relevant to human athletic ability. Studying equine endothelial cells and establishing the similarities and differences between human and equine endothelial cells is vital to advance research in these areas.
Impact
This project aims to characterise equine endothelial cells, establish robust methods for studying their function and uncover the mechanisms responsible for the differences between human and equine endothelial cells. This will then allow further investigation into specific research questions focused on equine endothelial cell function, whether that relates to their roles in inflammation, blood clotting, blood pressure control or the formation of new blood vessels.
This research is being performed in our Camden campus, utilising the combined skills and expertise of experienced human endothelial cell biologists and equine specialist vets and scientists. This collaboration ensures that the very best, cutting-edge, cell biology techniques are combined with knowledge of how the physiology fits into the context of equine health and disease, and ensures that the scientific findings can then be best translated into clinical advances to benefit the horse, the scientific community and the veterinary profession.
This research is being performed in our Camden campus, utilising the combined skills and expertise of experienced human endothelial cell biologists and equine specialist vets and scientists. This collaboration ensures that the very best, cutting-edge, cell biology techniques are combined with knowledge of how the physiology fits into the context of equine health and disease, and ensures that the scientific findings can then be best translated into clinical advances to benefit the horse, the scientific community and the veterinary profession.
Partners
Publications
| Title | Publication | Year |
| Equine Endothelial Cells Show Pro-Angiogenic Behaviours in Response to Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 but Not Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor |
International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
30th May 2024 |