MDA AWARDS $352K TO BOSTON CARDIOLOGIST WORKING TO INCREASE BLOODFLOW TO MUSCLES
TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 18, 2010 – Could stimulating growth of new blood vessels in muscle work as a therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and other muscle diseases?
Zolt Arany, M.D., Ph.D., a cardiologist at Beth Israel Medical Center in Boston, has identified a new biochemical pathway to induce blood vessel formation in muscle. Now, with the financial support of a new $352,128 Muscular Dystrophy Association grant, Arany can investigate the role blood vessels play in skeletal muscle affected by muscular dystrophy. What’s more, he will determine if more blood vessels could help slow the progressive destruction of muscle tissue that comes with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
“Dr. Arany’s project is exciting for several reasons,” said Louis M. Kunkel, Ph.D., chairman of the MDA Scientific Advisory Committee, and a Boston-based pioneer in the field of muscular dystrophy research.
 | | Zolt Arany, M.D., Ph.D. |
“First, even though increasing blood flow in muscle does not address the underlying cause of Duchenne dystrophy,” Kunkel explained, “better blood flow might slow the progression of the disease until treatments are found. Second, as we continue to see an increase in clinical trials of potential therapeutics, we might find that efficacy is improved with more blood vessels nurturing muscle tissue.”
In explaining his fascination with research, Arany said “I’m in it for a couple of reasons. One is shear fascination with biology and physiology and understanding how our bodies work or don’t work. It’s like having a 12-year-old’s glee of understanding the world around me. I think a lot of my co-workers share a lot of that excitement and shear fun of finding things (out).’’
Another major attraction, he says, is being able to help patients. “When my time comes – whenever that be – I want to be able to say, ‘I had an impact on the world,’’’ Arany said.
One of 38 research leaders now receiving new multi-year awards from MDA, Arany’s three-year project is part of the $14.1 million in new research funding approved during the Association’s July Board meeting. This is his first grant through MDA. To learn more about Arany listen to his podcast.
Dr. Arany is focusing his studies on a small group of molecules called PGC-1s. These molecules regulate broad metabolic programs in various tissues, and Arany’s lab already has shown that PGC-1s control a “new and powerful pathway that induces the formation of new blood vessels in muscle.’’
Research grant applications are peer-reviewed twice yearly by MDA’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Committees, comprising world-renowned experts in neuromuscular disease research. The most promising of some 500 applications received each year are recommended for funding to the MDA Board of Directors.
According to R. Rodney Howell, M.D., chairman of the MDA Board of Directors, “Generous Americans responding to the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, and to thousands of other special events benefiting the families served by MDA, deserve much of the credit for the rapid progress being made towards treatments for neuromuscular diseases. It’s their strong belief in MDA’s capable stewardship of public funds that’s enabling so much to be accomplished – even in a sluggish economy.”
Dr. Arany called MDA’s funding for research “quite critical,’’ adding, “there’s a lot invested by MDA on research that probably would not happen otherwise.” Commenting on the tough economy’s impact on research funding, Arany said that “MDA has continued on funding research. And that’s quite remarkable.’’
Often credited for its leadership in building the field of neuromuscular disease research, MDA has simultaneously enhanced clinical care for individuals affected by muscle disorders, achieving important quality of life and longevity gains. The Association, which annually invests almost $39 million on research worldwide, is the first nonprofit to earn a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Medical Association, “for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity”.
MDA-funded scientists have uncovered the genetic defects that cause several forms of muscular dystrophy; Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT); a form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease); childhood spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and other neuromuscular conditions. Now entering a period of increasing numbers of clinical trials of potential therapeutics, the Association’s network of approximately 200 hospital-affiliated clinics is instrumental in identifying appropriate candidates for clinical trials, and in helping refine outcome measures for those clinical trials.
More than 1 million people in America are affected by neuromuscular diseases.
In Boston, individuals affected by any of the more than 40 muscle diseases covered by MDA can receive excellent medical care at the MDA Clinics at: Children’s Hospital Boston; Tufts Medical Center Hospital; Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research (See outstanding B-roll of MDA research at http://www.mda.org/research/gaag/2010/b-roll.html). The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. For more information, go to: http://www.mda.org/.
For more information about these new grants, visit MDA's "Grants at a Glance" an online slideshow that showcases each grant with photos and detailed information. |
