The role of the TGF-b superfamily cytokine MIC-1 in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

MIC-1是由我们的研究小组首次克隆和鉴定的一种蛋白质。它属于转化生长因子β蛋白超家族，在发育、癌症、创伤骨折愈合和炎症中起着非常重要的作用。这个项目的目的是开始了解这种蛋白质在正常生物过程(特别是怀孕)和疾病中的作用。MIC-1存在于所有个体的血液中，高水平与心脏病发作和中风的风险增加有关。在这项研究中，我们希望使用MIC-1基因缺失或增强的动物模型来确定MIIC-1是否在这些疾病中起直接作用。

MIC-1 is a protein first cloned and characterised by our research group. It belongs to the TGF beta protein superfamily which is very important in development, cancer, wound - fracture healing and inflammation. The aim of this project was to start to gain an understanding of the role of this protein, both in normal biological processes (especially pregnancy) and in disease. MIC-1 is present in the blood of all individuals and high levels are associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. In this study we wish to use animal models, in which the gene for MIC-1 has either been deleted or enhanced, to determine whether MIIC-1 plays a direct role in these diseases.