Targeting the Autophagy Checkpoint ACBP in Cardiac Aging

With increasing life expectancy, age-related heart diseases are becoming a major challenge for the healthcare system and society. We have identified a protein in the blood whose concentration increases with age and which is associated with known risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as obesity, elevated cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. In experimental studies, blocking this protein protects the heart from accelerated aging, such as that caused by cancer therapy. Thus, the aim of this project is to investigate whether reducing the activity of this protein can also slow down the natural aging process of the heart and reduce the risk of common heart diseases in older age. We will develop new experimental models to clarify how the protein damages the heart and investigate how it affects important cellular maintenance and repair mechanisms in heart muscle cells. Furthermore, we will develop novel small-molecule compounds to specifically block these harmful effects. In parallel, we will also analyse samples from human patients to ensure clinical relevance. Ultimately, our findings could lead to a new blood test for identifying individuals at increased risk of heart disease and support the development of new therapies to protect the aging heart.