Title: Mitochondrial cyclophilin D: a novel molecular target for the treatment of necrotizing pancreatitis
Funder: CORE

Abstract: Lay SectionPLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR WORK IN TERMS THAT WILL BE UNDERSTANDABLE TO A LAY PERSON What was the main issue your research was seeking to address? Acute pancreatitis is a common, serious illness. One in five people with pancreatitis develop severe form of the disease that may need intensive care and treatment in hospital for several months - chronic ill health or even death can result. Unfortunately there is no specific treatment for this disease thus far. This research project aims to develop new treatments that can be used to cure patients with acute pancreatitis. What were you hoping to find through this research? Our team has discovered that there is a special channel in cells, which if kept open is very harmful to the pancreas. The way that the channel opening damages the cells is by injuring the parts of cells called mitochondria, which use the fuel from food to make energy. Blocking this bad channel protects the mitochondria and prevents cellular damage. We wanted to test new drugs that would block the channel, to help and keep cells alive and work normally. How successful was the project in achieving this? We have been able to identify a new drug – currently in clinical trials for a different disease indication – which prevents pancreatic cells from dying by protecting the function of mitochondria. What were the key things that were learnt as a result of this project? This project confirms our previous hypothesis that preventing the opening of the bad channels within the mitochondria prevents cell death and reduces the severity of pancreatitis. Moreover we have demonstrated an alternative method of blocking the opening of this channel in the pancreas. How will this work benefit patients? The work undertaken on the bench has the potential to be translated into a clinical trial and hence provides an opportunity to treat patients with acute pancreatitis – a debilitating disease which lacks targeted therapy thus far. How has the funding from Core made a difference? Funding from Core has enabled me to spend three years doing full time research for a PhD degree at the premier NIHR Liverpool Pancreas Biomedical Research Unit (PBRU) – the only centre of excellence for the management of pancreatic digestive diseases in the UK. I have acquired transferable research skills, collaborated with industry and established networks nationally & internationally. What are the next stages for this work? There are two potential lines of investigation. Firstly there is a possibility to test the drug in a clinical setting and this is being explored with our pharmaceutical partners. On the scientific aspect we have demonstrated a phenomena, however further experiments need to be done to dissect the mechanism which leads to this phenomena. What are the implications for future prevention treatment and cure? This research could help many people with severe form of pancreatitis as this compound can prevent cell death and potentially be utilized as a treatment of patients with severe acute pancreatitis. Since the opening of the bad channel that we are targeting is implicated in other diseases like cardiovascular and neurological disorders our research can potentially help people with other diseases and facilitate research in other areas of science.


Research activity codes: 5.1 PHARMACEUTICALS
Health categories: ORAL AND GASTROINTESTINAL