Christodoulides Group: Adipose Biology and Metabolic Disease

Research Aims

Our research investigates how obesity drives the development of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. We focus on the molecular basis of insulin resistance within adipose tissue, particularly the mechanisms that regulate fat storage capacity and distribution, thereby influencing susceptibility to cardiometabolic disease, with the aim of translating these insights into novel therapeutic strategies.To achieve this, we adopt a multidisciplinary approach, integrating human genetic and physiological studies with functional experiments in human adipose cells, Mendelian randomisation analyses, and drug screening.

Our previous work identified WNT pathway molecules, including LRP5 and RSPO3, as novel regulators of human fat distribution. Notably, LRP5 is already a therapeutic target for osteoporosis, underscoring the translational potential of these findings.

Current research also explores additional developmental signalling pathways, such as TGF-beta signalling, which genetic evidence suggests play a key role in modulating fat distribution and influencing the risk of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease, and may represent targets for the development of new treatments for obesity, diabetes, and related disorders.

Funders

British Heart Foundation