The dialogue between cells, key to avoiding obesity and associated illnesses

Alejo Efeyan

Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas Carlos III - CNIO, Spain

Endothelial cells cover the inner surface of blood vessels and supply oxygen and nutrients to the rest of the body’s cells. Inadequate oxygen supply to a tissue triggers angiogenesis, a physiological process by which new blood vessels are formed from the pre-existing vasculature. Angiogenesis occurs thanks to the detection of changes in oxygen and nutrient levels, and to a complex dialogue between the endothelium and tissue cells.

When fatty tissue expands due to an excess of nutrients this expansion is not accompanied by an increase in vascularisation. The poorly irrigated fatty tissue functions pathologically and induces some of the problems associated with obesity.

This project analyses the communication between the endothelium and the rest of the body during the excessive increase in weight, in order to re-establish a healthy dialogue between cells and thus correct the obesity and such associated illnesses as diabetes.

• Institut de Recerca Contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, Spain

• Institut Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Spain

Decoding the paracrine control of metabolic fitness by endothelial nutrient signaling

€992,580.60