Discovery and characterisation of genetically determined lncRNA splicing and isoforms in coronary artery disease (B05)

• Subject Area: Human Genetics ; Cardiology, Angiology ; Cell Biology
• Term: since 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 403584255

We have identified long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) to be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) risk by a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS). A deeper investigation of the CDH13 locus uncovered a lncRNA isoform, CH-isoAS1, likely to be protective for CAD. At LINC00310/KCNE2 locus, LINC00310 isoforms might play roles in vascular smooth muscle cells and adipocytes. In the 2nd funding period, we will investigate the disease mechanisms of LINC00310 isoforms and therapeutic potentials of LINC00310 isoform(s) and CH-isoAS1 in a 3D engineered artery model. Furthermore, we will systematically discover lncRNA splicing and isoforms in CAD by a splicing wide association study.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 267: Non-coding RNA in the cardiovascular system
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität München (TUM)
• Project Heads: Dr. Zhifen Chen, since 7/2023; Professor Dr. Heribert Schunkert