Coupling the Mechanical Signalling and Transcriptional Mechanisms That Initiate Pathogenesis of Cerebral Cavernous Malformation

Abstract

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are thin walled, vascular malformations in the brain found in 1/200-250 individuals. They can cause migraine, neurological deficits or stroke. This disease can be inherited due to damaging mutations in any of three CCM genes. The project will investigate the molecular control of CCM pathogenesis in animal models. We aim to uncover the molecular cause of these vascular malformations and in doing so identify new therapeutic strategies.