Studying rheumatic heart disease in a dish

Project status: Active

Research area: Stem Cell Medicine > Heart Regeneration

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a global healthcare problem affecting 55 million people worldwide. In Australia, RHD disproportionately affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

This research uses induced pluripotent stem cell-derived models of heart valve tissue to understand the role the immune system plays in Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and advance treatments to improve the lives of people living with RHD.

Purpose of research

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is caused by Group A Streptococcus infection that triggers irreversible damage to valve tissue which means the heart cannot function effectively. There is currently no treatment to repair tissue once it’s damaged, nor vaccine to protect against infection.

As such, there is an urgent need to better understand the mechanisms of disease and identify early treatment options for patients without relying on valve replacement surgery.

Study details

Heart valve cells derived from stem cells. Credit: Dr Holly Voges, Heart Regeneration.

This program of research, led by Dr Holly Voges, aims to address this gap in knowledge to improve treatment of RHD and other heart valve diseases.

The main aim is to understand the role of the immune system in heart valve damage, using the world’s first human heart valve tissue made from stem cells.

The long-term goal of this research is to apply this new knowledge to find better medicine to reverse tissue damage and improve lives of people with RHD.

The main aim is to understand the role of the immune system in heart valve damage, using the world’s first human heart valve tissue made from stem cells.

The long-term goal of this research is to apply this new knowledge to find better medicine to...

The main aim is to understand the role of the immune system in heart valve damage, using the world’s first human heart valve tissue made from stem cells.

The long-term goal of this research is to apply this new knowledge to find better medicine to reverse tissue damage and improve lives of people with RHD.

Find out more about Holly

Image: Heart valve cells derived from stem cells.

Partnering with First Nations communities

RHD is a valve disease that affects over 11,000 people in Australia, which is projected to increase to 15,000 by 2031. In Australia, the rates of RHD amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are 60 times that of non-indigenous Australians. Sadly, historical practices and policies have damaged trust in medical research amongst some First Nations communities.

Therefore, we are striving to create an RHD stem cell research program that is guided by cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. To this end we are partnering with key organisations to ensure we have strong First Nations community and patient input into all aspects of the program.

Funding

National Health and Medical Research Council
National Heart Foundation
CASS Foundation
Therapeutic Innovation Australia
Fox Family Foundation
Scobie and Claire MacKinnon Trust

Collaborators

Professor Christian Brizard, Royal Children’s Hospital
Professor Andrew Steer, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Dr Bo Remenyi, Royal Darwin Hospital
Ms Vicki Wade, Menzies School of Health Research
Dr Hannah Frost, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Ms Annette Gaulton, Wadja Royal Children’s Hospital
Ms Selene White, Wadja Royal Children’s Hospital

Heart Regeneration team members Adriano Morandini, Jessica Durrant-Whyte, Holly Voges, Serene Yeow, Adam Piers. All team members in the image have given consent to use it on the website. Photo owned by MCRI.