Relaxin: molecular mechanisms of cardioprotection

While relaxin is currently being assessed in clinical trials by the Industry Partner (Corthera Inc.) for its vasodilatory actions in acute heart failure patients, the molecular mechanisms underlying its vascular cardioprotective actions remain poorly understood. This proposal aims to systematically examine the key signal transduction pathways and optimal dose range associated with the vascular actions of relaxin using relevant human cells. These studies will provide the essential basic knowledge of the mechanism of action of relaxin that will provide the proof of concept for the mechanism of action of relaxin in humans.