People living with obesity have an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, and this risk may remain high even after weight loss. One possible explanation is that blood vessels retain a biological record of earlier metabolic stress. Endothelial cells, the cells lining the inside of blood vessels, are continually exposed to nutrients, hormones and inflammatory signals circulating in the blood. Prolonged exposure to these signals may cause lasting changes in endothelial behaviour, maintaining vascular dysfunction even when body weight and metabolism improve.

In this project, we will examine whether obesity creates a persistent “vascular memory” in endothelial cells and determine how this memory changes during weight loss and subsequent weight regain. We will also investigate whether these lasting alterations can be erased or reprogrammed. By identifying the mechanisms that prevent blood vessels from fully recovering after obesity, the project may reveal new strategies for reducing residual cardiovascular risk and restoring long-term vascular health.