Dr. Lim's research aims to gain insight into the role focal adhesion kinase (FAK) plays in smooth muscle cell (SMC) plasticity via epigenetic gene expression. �Excessive growth of vascular SMC is a fundamental problem in occlusive cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis,� Dr. Lim explained. �In many cases, abnormal SMC growth following medical intervention, such as balloon angioplasty or bypass surgery, also results in re-narrowing of the vessel.�
According to Dr. Lim, there is a need to develop better and more efficient systemic treatment options that would work on smaller arteries and vessels, as current treatment options for vessel-narrowing diseases are limited to large-sized arteries and are only effective in a small area.
Through previous research, Dr. Lim found that FAK activity is critical in promoting SMC proliferation. �Targeting FAK activity with small molecule FAK inhibitors might prove beneficial in preventing abnormal SMC growth,� Dr. Lim said.
Dr. Lim said this research has the potential to greatly impact patient care. �Since there is currently a lack of therapeutics for the treatment of small vessel occlusions, which commonly occur in diabetic patients, this research could provide a new therapy for those patients,� Dr. Lim said. �Oral FAK inhibitors are currently being tested in human clinical trials as a cancer therapy; they might also prove helpful in treating these vascular complications.�
The research is a collaboration between several researchers at USA including Dr. David Weber, associate professor of physiology at the USA College of Medicine; Dr. Erin Ahn, associate professor of oncologic sciences; and Dr. Jung-Hyun Kim, a postdoctoral fellow working in Dr. Ahn�s lab at the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute.
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