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Yared Tekabe’s Groundbreaking Research in Heart Disease

97 Comments

Tadias Magazine

By Tseday Alehegn

Published: Tuesday, March 17, 2009.

New York (TADIAS) – Dr. Yared Tekabe enjoys doing most of his reflections while sitting anonymously with his laptop at cafés in Harlem. When he’s not there, Tekabe is busy running studies in cardiovascular disease detection and prevention at his lab in Columbia University’s William Black building in upper Manhattan. Last November, Tekabe’s groundbreaking work on non-invasive atherosclerosis detection and molecular imaging was published in the American Heart Association’s journal, Circulation, along with an editorial citing its clinical implications.

Dr Tekabe’s success has helped his laboratory, headed by Dr Lynne Johnson, to receive another $1.6 million four-year grant from the National Institute of Health to continue his research, and Tekabe hopes that in a few years time his work can help heart disease prevention efforts and early detection of atherosclerosis in humans.

“What is atherosclerosis in layman terms?” I ask him, trying hard to correctly pronounce this tongue twister. He breaks it down to its linguistic roots. “Atherosclerosis comes from the Greek roots athere which means gruel, and skleros which means hardness or hardening,” he explains. Further research in Wiki reveals that atherosclerosis is a condition affecting our arterial blood vessels, which transport blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Atherosclerosis is the chronic condition in which inflammation of the walls of our blood vessels lead to hardening of the arteries.

“Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD),” Tekabe says. “The result is progressive closing of the blood vessels by fat and plaque deposits, which block and further restrict blood flow. In more serious cases it may also lead to clots in the aorta (main artery coming out of the heart) or carotids (arteries supplying blood to the brain) that may dislodge and travel to other parts of the body such as the brain, causing stroke. If the clot is in the leg, for example, it can lead to gangrene. Deposits of fat and inflammatory cells that build up in the walls of the coronary arteries (supplying blood to the heart muscle) can rupture leading to blood clots. Such clots in an artery that supplies blood to the heart muscle will suddenly close the artery and deprive the heart muscle of oxygen causing a heart attack. In the case of very sudden closure of an artery a clot can cause sudden cardiac death.”

“It’s the Tim Russert story,” Tekabe says, providing a recent example of what undetected levels of plaque formation in our bodies can lead to. EverydayHealth.com, an online consumer health portal, had described the famed former MSNBC ‘Meet the Press’ host’s sudden heart attack as being caused by a plaque rupture in a coronary artery. Russert had previously been diagnosed with heart disease, but his atherosclerosis was asymptomatic. He had not experienced the common signs of chest pain and other heart attack symptoms to warn him or his doctors of his true condition. The undetected inflammation in his vessels and the subsequent rupture of plaque led to his sudden heart attack and untimely death. This is not uncommon, however. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease “is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States, and women account for 51% of the total heart disease deaths.” There is even more grim news: United States data for 2004 has revealed that the first physical symptom of heart disease was heart attack and sudden death for about 65% of men and 47% of women with CVD.

The risk factors for atherosclerosis are well known and Tekabe runs through the list with me: “diabetes, obesity, stress, smoking, high blood pressure, family history of CVD, and diet” he says. “But of all the factors that I have mentioned, I would say diet is the most important one to change,” he adds. Food items such as red meat, butter, whole milk, cheese, ice cream, egg yolk, and those containing trans fat all put us at higher risk for plaque formation. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish such as salmon, herring and trout instead of red meat, as well as eating food that is steamed, boiled or baked instead of fried. It is better to use corn, canola, or olive oil instead of butter, and to eat more fiber (fruit, vegetables, and whole grain). Notwithstanding that March is deemed National Nutrition Month by the American Heart Association, changing our diet is largely emphasized in CVD prevention. We should also be exercising at least 30 minutes each day.

“Early non-invasive detection of the presence of inflammation and plaque could save lives,” Tekabe points out. “But the problem is two-fold: those who suffer from atherosclerosis do not display warning signs until it’s too late, and for doctors, a non-invasive method of detecting atherosclerosis is by and large not a possibility.” Research by Tekabe and others may soon change the way doctors can detect atherosclerosis.

Using molecular imaging techniques that were previously popular in cancer biology research, Tekabe and his colleagues have discovered non-invasive methods of detecting RAGE, a receptor first discovered in 1992 and thought to have causative implications in a host of chronic diseases ranging from diabetes to arthritis. Tekabe, collaborating with Dr Ann Marie Schmidt who has shown that RAGE receptors play a key role in atherosclerotic inflammatory response, notes that these receptors can be detected non-invasively in mice that have been fed a high-fat, high cholesterol diet.

“In the past, although we knew about the RAGE receptor, especially in the study of diabetes, we were not able to detect it without performing an autopsy of the lab mice. Clearly, in the case of humans it would be pointless if we said that we detected atherosclerosis in the patient after the patient had died,” Tekabe explains. “Therefore, it was imperative that our research showed a more non-invasive method, detecting RAGE receptors and locations of inflammation while the subject was still alive. The first step would be to test it on mice, which we have, and then perhaps on larger animals such as pigs, so that this research could be successfully translated to help non-invasively detect atherosclerosis in its early stages in human beings.”

Left Image: Atherosclerotic aorta: The image is from a mouse fed a Western type of fat diet (high-fat, high cholesterol diet) for 34 weeks. It shows complete blockage of the aorta and the branches that supply the brain. The plaque is made up of fat and inflammatory cells.
Right Image: Relatively normal aorta: This is from 6 weeks old mouse fed a normal diet.

Tekabe’s recently published research showing detection of RAGE receptors responsible for arterial inflammation was funded by a grant from the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology as well as from an American Heart Association Heritage Foundation award.

The November Circulation editorial entitled “Feeling the RAGE in the Atherosclerotic Vessel Wall” highlights the significance of Tekabe et al’s findings and the necessity for early detection of atherosclerosis. “This is an exciting development that adds an important marker of atherosclerotic disease that can now be assessed non-invasively,” write Drs. Zahi Fayad and Esad Vucic. “Tekabe et al demonstrate, for the first time, the noninvasive specific detection of RAGE in the vessel wall.” They concur with Tekabe that “noninvasive detection of RAGE in the vessel wall could help define its role in plaque rupture, which has potentially important clinical implications.”

Tekabe came to Boston in 1990 and subsequently completed his Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology and his Masters and PhD in Biomedical Sciences with a focus on CVD and drug development. His academic choices have inevitably led him to his career as a scientist, but he has personal reasons for choosing this path as well.

“I was born in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. I have 1 brother and 8 sisters, and my parents had no formal education. But my father always encouraged me to seek higher education. While I was completing my studies I witnessed my beloved father suffer from Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and he underwent triple bypass surgery. He passed away in 2004, and I promised myself that I would step up to the challenge of finding a way to prevent heart disease” Tekabe says in a somber and determined tone. “Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the developed world, and I am motivated by that challenge, but this research is also deeply personal.”

Tekabe hopes that his research will be applicable to other areas where RAGE receptors have been hypothesized to play a central role. Circulation editors who follow Tekabe’s work have noted that “in addition to its role in atherosclerosis and the development of vascular complications in diabetes, RAGE possesses wider implications in a variety of diseases, such as arthritis, cancer, liver disease, neurodegenerative disease, and sepsis, which underscores the importance of the ability of its noninvasive detection.” Tekabe, as part of Dr Ann Marie Schmidt’s team, has already filed U.S. and international patents and has plans to jump-start a drug development arm of the pharmaceutical industry in Ethiopia. “I’m looking for interested sponsors in Ethiopia who can see the potential of this research and its global implications,” he states.

Now that Forbes has apprised us of the billionaire status of an Ethiopian-born businessman, we hope this news may peak his interest in helping to start scientific research initiatives in Ethiopia.
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97 thoughts on “Yared Tekabe’s Groundbreaking Research in Heart Disease”

  1. Non-invasive atherosclerosis detection in humans would be a major break through in Medicine and would help prevent so many sudden deaths that occur as a result of heart attack, stroke and alike. Magnificent talents such as Tim Russert and a growing number of ordinary Ethiopian men and women, both here and especially in Addis, are dying young as result of the same medical problems. I really believe that in America and urban Ethiopia like Addis, we must change our diet to be healthy. Having said that, please allow me to congratulate you Dr. Yared on your groundbreaking research in Atherosclerosis! Keep up the good work. You are serving humanity via your education.

    Dear Editor in Chief Tseday Alehegn: Also, please allow me to extend my best compliments for your wonderful penmanship and first class magazine. You are a talented young writer. I always follow your writing on Tadias. May god grace you with a very long life and your friends!

  3. This is really an exciting result. Congratulation on your work and publication. Finally i would like to send my great appreciation to Tseday for the wonderful presentation.

  5. It is ever so wonderful to see one of ours rise to the top as a research scientist. Whoever said that the Nobel Prize in medicine is a private reserve for the likes of Luc Montagniers of this world?
    Sorry to hear the passing of your dad. Long,long before you were born a hometown poet wrote a few lines of verse about his friends and I think your beloved father was one of them. It went like this.
    …………………
    …………………..
    GOBEZ AYDEL ESU SAK CHEWATA AYWEDE
    YESERAL KELEBU TEKABE HABTEWELDE
    …………………..
    ……………………..

    Keep up the good work dear Yared! We are proud of you.

  6. A source of inspiration and pride for other youg ethiopians both here and back in home.
    Wishing the best of lucks for all Ethiopians struggling day and night for a better future. May God bless you.

  7. Thank you so much, Tseday, for sharing this inspiring story and for allowing others to read and acknowledge the achievements of Dr. Yared Tekabe. Your article is so well written that it is educational. Thank you again for promoting and highlighting the accomplishment of this capable young man to your readers. It gives me a sense of pride when I read such kinds of encouraging stories about the achievements of my country people (!?) He is an inspiration and a role model for all and I hope your article will start our youth in the journey of the pursuit of excellence.

    I am going to pass on the article.

  8. Thank you Dr. Yared for this wonderful finding that will save people’s lives. God has shown you the light and you have followed it. I really honor your dedication. I am so proud of you. You are one of the Ethiopians who can make a big change in this World. This is the time.

    Dear Tseday, I really loved your article. Keep on bringing more successful Ethiopian stories.

  10. Good job Dr.Yared
    Dear Tseday Alehegn would you write about HIV awareness. I just want to mention about HIV and our community. I have a chance to spend five weeks in one of the HIV clinics in Metropolitan area of DC learning about HIV and the number of Ethiopians overwhelmed me. Even though the Ethiopian community is trying their best to spread the word, I don’t think our community is fully aware of the situation. Please Interview one of the Ethiopia Infectious Disease physicians in DC.

    Thanks

    Tazabe

  12. Dear Dr. Yared
    I’ve read your publication on American Heart Association entitled “Feeling the RAGE in the Atherosclerotic Vessel Wall” published in November, 2008. I was very impressed and proud to see my brother’s hard work and dedication finally paid off.

    Scientist like Dr.Yared is what Ethiopia needed at this point. Individual who has the source should work with young and intelligent people like him to restructure the the underlying framework of Ethiopian Medical facilities.

    I honestly think that CAD is a common disease in Ethiopia. Finding a cure is the absolute solution. Please continue your hard work.

    I congratulate you my brother, Dr. Yared for your hard work. Your dedication to Medicine is so vital to anyone in this planet. I am so honored to see my father’s dream fulfilled as well as yours.

    Dear Editor in Chief Tseday Alehegn: You have done a wonderful job in documenting the article. I wish you all the success.

  15. Hi, Yared

    I’m Martha Haile, Sister of Negede, Tegene and Mulatu Haile From Dire. I’ am so proud of you. I Can’t wait to let my family know about your great work and people who knows you since BGS or Notre Dame. If you can please contact me mhaile@clacorp.com.

  16. Great job an inspirational story for all of us and our kids, we should all take note of our “Ethiopian diet” Kitfo and doro and the like. Try to live healthy

  17. Congrats Dr. Yared! We are truly proud of the milestone you have reached so far. We are rooting for you to win a nobel prize. Ababeye is surely smiling from heaven. Keep up the great work. Tseday, as always, you are a brilliant writer, and I enjoyed your awesome journalistic style.
    Congraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaats, Yaruca!
    Dr. Rebka and your girls Liya and Helina Yared

  18. Bravo Dr. Yared T. Great Work, Keep on Going and Going!!!

    Many renowned researchers having spent all their lives discovering so many valuable fallouts for humankind on this planet. Yet, when they were on their last minutes to pass away they all invariably felt that they left so many unconquered research frontiers behind that they would have conquered for better livelihoods to humankind than their own. Yared, let us reassure you that you are now more conscientious than ever before to keep on working for more and more breakthroughs from you research work in the years to come.

    Your Dad and we all believe that the Promised Land, the Heaven we all aspire to go to is here on this Earth. You have joined those researches who are working hard to bring healthy livelihoods to this planet in the future days to come and trust us that there will come days when we will all live happily without diseases, wars and hunger if work together.

    We are proud about you and we wish you all the best.
    Great work Tseday Alehegn, Tadias Magazine.

  19. Amen Brother!!!
    that is such a great, fantastic and intresting job Dr.Yared T.
    i am really proud of you and your team.

    so keep working on it, cause it is what we all need.

    GOD BLESS YOU!!!

  20. Congrats Dr. Yared. Your story about your dad was touching. He must be thrilled in heaven amongst all the prophets. We know even from science that energy never dies, but transforms itself from one form to another. He may not be with you physically, but he is with you spiritually.

  21. DR.YARED CONGRADULATION
    oh i can’t tell you how happy i am
    I AM REALLY PROUD OF YOU
    KEEP UP the GOOD WORK
    MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILLY

  23. How blessed to be a fabulous model for everyone.
    Dr. Yared, may God help you to accomplish your influential goals.

  24. Dear Dr. Yared, I congratulate you on your success in your paticular study. Well done!

    Though I applaud the many wondeful things that medical science had given humanity, please, do allow me to share my concern regarding the ethical side of science in general.

    I believe those, who do have the access to knowledge in conducting whatever research on/for humans should take the matter very seriously in terms of Ethic and moral.

    Over the past three years, more than 60 institutions, including several of the
    world’s most prestigious research centers, have been criticized by the U.S.
    government for failing to protect human subjects adequately.

    Conducting medical research on humans is a tricky business. It is not the same thing as providing risky but proven medical treatments, which is done for patients. Medical experimentation is done to test subjects in order to further science. The experimenters may hope to help the subjects, but since the procedures are, by definition, not fully tested, they also have potential to cause great suffering and harm. Obviously there are many medical experiments that lead to a dangerous moral trap that could result in society looking upon people with catastrophic conditions as usable commodities

    Nowadays, large pharmaceutical companies distance themselves from the experiments on humans by outsourcing most of their trials to private test centers across the U.S. and around the world

    Every year, we hear that several Ethiopian trial participants are injured or killed. The tragic part of the whole experimentation is that targeted individuals have no clue that they have been used as guinea pigs.

    As Ethiopian Americans, I think everyone involved in higher medical or biological research, testing drugs on Ethiopians or using their blood and DNA for further experimentation, has a moral and spiritual obligation to inform the individual or the community – even if they have to lose their job or career aspirations.

    I really admire those who work hard for the wellbeing of every human being!

  25. omg…. i`m speachless! i was looking for some ethiopian art and i don`t know how i landed here but i`m realy glad i did good work.
    hey..,i can`t say god bless you `coz, you already blessed.

  26. Dr. Yared… you accomplish victory step by step… then the bright you are, the more blessing and success comes to you. I’m proud that my brother discovered the most wonderful job…. keep it up….we all Ethiopians loves you.

  27. Dear Tseday,

    You’re truly professional in presenting this complicated disease. You’re very talented.
    Keep up the good work!!!

  28. Brother Dr. Yared,
    I congratulate you on your success. Your dedication and commitment to solving this disease is PRICELESS. I’m so proud of you. Your hard work will save so many lives in the world.

    Tseday, your writing is flawless. I thank you so much for publishing Dr. Yared’s work.

    Love Mimi.

  29. Dear Dr. Yared

    I am so proud of you… Usually anything that is posted about Ethiopia is the hunger, disease or War. I thank you so much for changing people’s view. Keep up the good work..

    In response Abram’s note: I appreciate your response, but we need a positive vibe..

    Regards

    Solo

  30. Congrats Yared,

    I am very glad that people are recognizing your amazing work. I am going to be following your great accomplishments for years to come and I know that the best is yet to come. I hope that we will have many more coffees together at our beloved Harlem and can’t wait to hear your upcoming studies and aspirations.

  31. Tseday, your writing is flawless. I read this article more than 5 times. Keep it up sister. I really admire those who work hard for the well being of every human being!

    Dr Yared, you accomplish victory step by step I’m proud of you. keep up the good work.

    Kid
    Kidanefilms
    Livity production,LLC

  32. Oh BTW, It takes a talent and a touch of a prolific writer like Tseday to take a complex subject like this one and deliver it to us in such a layman’s term. My hat off to your writer and keep up the great work. I have bookmarked your site and become a frequent visitor.

    Daniel

  33. Hi Uncle Yared,

    We’re very happy for your success. These is from all your families in Ethiopia.

    Brgds Eyoel Girma, Rediet Girma, Nathnael Girma

  34. This article was probably one of the most easily accessible pieces on medical research I have ever come across. The research that Dr. Tekabe is doing in the field of atherosclerosis detection seems essential in the fight against cardiovascular diseases and his research in relation to RAGE could lead to further discovery across the board of health issues that plague man today. As a senior in high school in the process of deciding on colleges and possible majors, I really appreciated this article’s insight on the life and work of one ethiopian professional. It was written for any layman to be able to understand and appreciate the research being described.

  36. Dear Dr. Yared Tekabe. I am proud to see one of my own family member rise up to be a great scientist. You are an inspiration and role model to our youth. In your spare time, which you may not have, could you speak to the youth? They need your uplifting story. Great job. Thank you for sharing.

  37. This is a highly informative and ideally a life altering jar. Particularly for those of us who like to partake of the “Fatty” foods. This work is a rather graphic reminder for all of those who are still resistant to being health conscious in what they consume on a daily basis.I look forward to reading more ground breaking work from you in the future.

    Much Kudo’s for this important contribution.

  38. Dr Tekabe congratulations on your achievement in the field of medical research. One can achieve his or her goal if he or she puts heart and mind to it. And You did. I am proud of you. your work benefits all human kind and opens doors for your fellow young Ethiopians.

  39. Dr Yared Tekabe. Congrats! I am really impressed with your remarkable medical research. Keep up the good work.

    -Koni

  42. It is always a pleasure to see Ethiopians making major contribution in the scientific world. Dr. Yared’s remarkable research is a lesson to our reptilian brain that often craves unhealthy food. When I was done reading, I have already made a commitment to stay away from fast foods and “Gored Gored.”

  43. I congratulate you on your impressive research and discovery. Identifying atherioscrelotic plaque non-invasively could save millions of lives by enabling medical professionals to detect potentially lethal illnesses early. It’s about time that we change our dietary culture and tame the urge or craving to consume immoderate amounts of foods high on bad cholesterol. But more important is to be able to educate and enlighten fellow Ethiopians back home. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if businesses like Sheraton Addis sponsored a symposium to be led by Dr. Tekabe aimed at imparting and sharing informaton with aspiring nutritionists, health profession trainees,etc. and involving media outlets (Eth. Tv, radio stations, newspapers)? What do you think? Let’s keep the idea alive! Tseday/Tadias: Thank you for the beautiful and effective presentation.

  44. Thanks Tseday Alehegn, the article is well-written and uplifting story.

    Yared, great job putting your talents to a worthy cause…

    Thanks,

    Teddy

  45. Dear Dr.Yared, I congratulate you on your achievement in the field of medical research. You are an inspirational to many Africans, specially Ethiopian. I am so proud of you my dear friend. Keep up the good work my dear. God bless you and your family.

  46. Congrats Yared! This is an inspiration for all of us. I dont think I can fully understand the depth of your as I am not in the field.

  47. I feel so greatful for you Dr Yared, for this great research, to accomplish his goal on finding ways to diagnose early heart problems. Congratulation Dr and Job well done!!!!

  49. I always new there was something special about you. I feel so blessed knowing that my brother in law is about to become a famous scientist and multi millionaire. A party in Vegas for your achievements is way overdue.
    Andy

  50. I don”t know what to say but this issue as it touches all human beings so I am proud of you doctor Yared. You did a good job and god bless you. Cheers.

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