Dr. Christian Münch

Institute for Biochemistry II
Goethe University Frankfurt
Theodor-Stern-Kai 7| 60590 Frankfurt am Main

Mitochondrial unfolded protein response in the damage response of the stroma-vascular compartment

The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) is a quality control mechanism that maintains mitochondrial integrity and function. Dysfunctional mitochondria accumulate following vascular damage. Preliminary studies revealed that i) vascular injury results in UPRmt activation, and ii) mitochondrial ROS induction is a key UPRmt signalling event in cells. We will evaluate the UPRmt and its reliance on the redox state in cells of the stroma-vascular compartment in vitro and in vivo, and address whether the UPRmt plays a role in vascular damage and how it influences healing and the restoration of function.