The study reveals a molecular mechanism that links cystine metabolism to blood vessel growth and repair. Researchers found that the uptake and oxidative breakdown of cystine in the cell nucleus promote vascular regeneration through nutrient-dependent histone acetylation. This pathway connects nutrient use to gene regulation in endothelial cells. Supplementing cystine restored vascular growth in models of ageing, retinal injury and after myocardial infarction. The findings open therapeutic avenues for repairing vascular damage in age-related diseases and injury. Three DZHK partner sites contributed to this research: Berlin, Heidelberg/Mannheim and the Rhine-Main.
Link to the publication: Cystine import and oxidative catabolism fuel vascular growth and repair via nutrient-responsive histone acetylation (Drekolia et al., Cell Metabolisom, 2026)
Link to the news: Cystine metabolism: key to vascular regeneration in ageing and injury
