Targeting the long non-coding RNA SMILR using small interfering RNA for therapeutic intervention in vein graft failure

Professor Andrew Baker is searching for ways to improve bypass grafting – a very common surgical procedure when surgeons replace blocked blood vessels in the heart.

Doctors usually use veins from the patient's leg, but veins often become injured when trying to adapt to the higher blood pressure in the heart. In nearly half of cases, the graft fails and people being to experience symptoms again.

Professor Baker has discovered that cells called vascular smooth muscle cells are involved in this process and that their abnormal division following surgical bypass grafting may contribute to graft failure. He has discovered a way to block a key gene called SMILR using a drug, which stops this excess cell division.

In this project, the team will hone their technique and test it to see if it can prevent grafts from failing.

Because they have access to the vein at the time of surgery, they will give the SMILR-targeting agent to the replacement vein in the operating theatre, just before it is grafted.

Developing a way to prevent bypass grafts failing will prevent the number of people needing further graft procedures or facing more serious consequences.