Research
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Advanced atherosclerotic plaques display extensive DNA damage, seen in VSMCs, macrophages, endothelial cells, and in circulating cells, and in both nuclei and mitochondria. DNA damage can reflect both ongoing damage-inducing stimuli and defects in the repair machinery. Recent work has shown that DNA damage induces VSMC death and senescence, increases monocyte pro-inflammatory cytokine release, promoting both atherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability. We are investigating the role of oxidative damage in atherosclerosis and the mechanisms involved using both primary human and mouse VSMCs in vitro and conditional transgenic in vivo models of atherosclerosis.
Publications
DNA damage-dependent mechanisms of ageing and disease in the macro- and microvasculature. Shah AV, Bennett MR. Eur J Pharmacol. 2017 Mar 25. pii: S0014-2999(17)30222-4.
Controlling Inflammation Through DNA Damage and Repair. Shah A, Bennett M. Circ Res. 2016 Sep 2;119(6):698-700.