Prof Vicky MacRae

Vicky is a cell and molecular biologist. Her research investigates inter-related research themes in metabolism, bone formation and cardiovascular biology.

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ORCiD
Cambridge Cardiovascular Research Centre

Background

Vicky joined ARU in 2025 and holds a joint research position with the University of Edinburgh. She is also a visiting professor at Guangzhou Medical University, China.

Vicky was awarded a BSc in Zoology in 2000 and a PhD in muscle physiology in 2005, both from the University of Edinburgh. She undertook her first postdoctoral post at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow (2004-2007), examining the effects of cytokines on growth plate chondrocytes. Her subsequent postdoctoral position at The Roslin Institute examined the mechanisms of initiation of skeletal mineralisation. Vicky was then awarded a BBSRC Institute Career Path Fellowship (2009-2016) and a group leader role at the University of Edinburgh (2013), extending these studies to unravelling the regulation of cardiovascular calcification. She has since developed several inter-related research themes in bone formation and cardiovascular calcification, with >90 publications and funding from sources including LifeArc, The Wellcome Trust, BBSRC, MRC, NERC, British Heart Foundation, Dogs Trust, Medical Research Scotland and the Cambridge Philosophical Society.

Research interests

• Characterising novel mechanisms of cardiovascular calcification
  Vicky’s lab has elucidated a range of novel mechanisms underpinning the calcification process, which may pave the way for future therapeutic strategies against cardiovascular calcification. Her research has investigated the role of growth factors (e.g. BMP9), steroids (e.g. glucocorticoids, testosterone) and metabolic pathways (e.g. glycolysis, purinergic signalling and autophagy). During these studies, she has collaborated extensively with clinicians from Edinburgh, Europe and the USA to translate her findings to human tissues. Throughout her independent research career, she has particularly focused on the biology of ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase-1 (ENPP1), which plays a critical role in the rare disease Generalised Arterial Calcification of Infancy (GACI).
• Elucidating pathways underpinning bone formation
  Vicky has shown a crucial local role for osteoblast ENPP in skeletal development and a secondary metabolic impact that predominantly maintains insulin sensitivity. This work, underpinned by international collaborations (Columbia, Hawaii, Montreal, San Diego) has advanced the field’s understanding of a novel bone/energy axis. A series of collaborative PhD studentship projects led by Professor Colin Farquharson (The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh) have established novel roles for PHOSPHO1 during the (i) anabolic bone response to parathyroid hormone delivery, (ii) regulation of insulin resistance and (iii) mediation of bone mineral density in renal osteodystrophy.
• Investigating mechanisms of mitral valve disease
  This collaborative research programme, led by Professor Brendan Corcoran (University of Edinburgh) has directly advanced the veterinary cardiovascular field through the development of new canine cell culture models and has attracted support from industry (Pfizer Animal Health) and charity (Dog’s Trust) sources. Our studies have identified a novel role for TGFβ signalling in canine myxomatous mitral valve disease (CMVD), through the modulation of senescence. This work further highlighted senolytics as a potential therapeutic strategy against CMVD, the most common cardiovascular disease in dogs.

Areas of research supervision

• First supervisor of PhD student Charlie Blick who is studying protein degradation as a potential therapeutic strategy to reduce vascular calcification (2025-28).
• Second supervisor of PhD student Pierre Canisius, who is investigating aggregation dynamics of Tau protein in Alzheimer’s disease (2024-27).

Qualifications

• PhD, College of Medicine, University of Edinburgh, UK. ‘Growth associated and stress-induced myopathies in the domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus).’ Awarded 28 January 2005
• BSc Biological Sciences (Zoology Honours) 2:1, University of Edinburgh, UK. Awarded 2001

Memberships, editorial boards

Memberships and other roles

• 2025. Organising committee member of Scottish Cardiovascular Forum meeting, Edinburgh, UK
• 2023–present. Member of the UKRI Talent Panel College (Future Leaders fellowships)
• 2022–present. Founding member of International Network on Ectopic Calcification
• 2022–present. Founding member of the International Scientific Society of Ectopic Calcification, which spins out of the Horizon 2020-funded EuroSoftCalcNet COST Action
• 2020–25. Additional member, BBSRC committee E (Discovery fellowships)
• 2017–22. EuroSoftCalc COST action. UK representative to the Management Committee (Working Group Leader scientific exchanges and training 2017-2018).
• 2015–present. Mentor, BBSRC Future Leader Fellowship Scheme
• 2015–18. Member, Bone Research Society committee
• 2015. Organiser (co-chair) of 3rd Joint Bone Research Society and British Society for Matrix Biology conference, Edinburgh, UK
• 2016–23. BBSRC Pool of Experts, serving on Committee A (x6); Committee C: (x2), sLOLA and the Pioneer Awards panel
• 2009–12. Member, Bone Research Society committee

Editorial roles

• 2022. Invited to edit special issue of Frontiers in Pharmacology (Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell fate and Vascular Remodeling: Mechanisms, Therapeutic Targets, and Drugs) 
• 2022. Invited to edit special issue of Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Metabolic Diseases)
• 2017. New England Journal of Medicine featured expert
• 2016. Invited to edit special issue of Current Opinion in Pharmacology (Musculoskeletal) 
• 2015–present. Editorial Board Member, Scientific Reports
• 2013–present. Associate Editor, Frontiers in Bone Research

Research grants, consultancy, knowledge exchange

• Harnessing protein degradation as a therapeutic strategy to reduce cardiovascular disease (PI). Sedgewick PhD studentship, The Cambridge Philosophical Society
• ‘Can pollutants pass through the blood brain barrier and cause neuronal loss?’ (Co-I). Edinburgh Earth, Ecology and Environment Training Partnership (E5DTP) NERC, 2025–29
• Determining the repurposing potential of metformin as a therapeutic strategy against the rare genetic calcification diseases GACI and PXE. (PI), LifeArc Philanthropic Fund, 2025–28
• Advanced 3D Bio-printed Grafts for Bypass Surgeries (Co-I) MRC IAA, 2025–26
• Using AI to assess senescence and mitochondrial morphology in calcifying VSMCs (PI) BBSRC, 2024–26
• Investigating endogenous calcification inhibitors of arterial calcification (PI) BBSRC International Institutional Award, 2024
• Developing connections with UiT The Arctic University of Norway to enable knowledge exchange on electron microscopy applications. (PI) BBSRC IDG Connectivity Funding, 2024–25
• Leveraging avian surrogate technologies to enable multiplexed generation of transgenic chicken lines. (Co-I) BBSRC ISP Pump Priming Grant, 2024–25
• Investigating mitochondria in chicken heath and disease (Co-I) BBSRC ISP Pump-Priming grant, 2023–24
• Enhancing autophagy to control canine MMVD (Co-I). American Kennel Club & Canine Health Foundation, 2023–24
• The effects of calorie restriction on vascular calcification The Wellcome Trust (PI), 2022–26
• Illuminating the role of mitochondria during arterial calcification (PI). British Heart Foundation REA3 call, 2022–24
• Investigation of apoptosis and cell senescence in myxomatous mitral valve disease in the dog (Co-I) Chinese Scholarship Council & Cavalier Health PhD studentship. 2021–24

Selected recent publications

Tang Q, Tang K, Markby GR, Parys M, Phadwal K, MacRae VE, Corcoran BM., 2025. Autophagy regulates cellular senescence by mediating the degradation of CDKN1A/p21 and CDKN2A/p16 through SQSTM1/p62-mediated selective autophagy in myxomatous mitral valve degeneration. Autophagy, 21(7):1433-1455.

Phadwal K, Haggarty J, Kurian D, Martí JA, Sun J, Houston RD, Betancor MB, MacRae VE, Whitfield PD, Macqueen DJ., 2025. Rapamycin induced autophagy enhances lipid breakdown and ameliorates lipotoxicity in Atlantic salmon cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids, 1870(5):159636.

Hsu SN, Stephen LA, Phadwal K, Dillon S, Carter R, Morton NM, Luijten I, Emelianova K, Amin AK, Macrae VE, Freeman TC, Hsu YJ, Staines KA, Farquharson C., 2025. Mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy blockade contribute to renal osteodystrophy in chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder. Kidney Int, 107(6):1017-1036.

Wang Y, He S, Lan L, Yu H, Zhao H, Xie Y, Zhong G, Yuan L, Li K, Hu X, Macrae VE, Fu X, Chen G, Zhu D., 2025. The N6-methyladenosine demethylase ALKBH5 is a novel epigenetic regulator of aortic valve calcification. Cardiovasc Res, 121(1):190-204.

Salis Torres A, Lee JE, Caporali A, Semple RK, Horrocks MH, MacRae VE., 2024. Mitochondrial Dysfunction as a Potential Mechanism Mediating Cardiac Comorbidities in Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci, 25(20):10973.

Yu H, Xie Y, Lan L, Ma S, Mok SWF, Wong IN, Wang Y, Zhong G, Yuan L, Zhao H, Hu X, Macrae VE, He S, Chen G, Zhu D., 2024. Sirt7 protects against vascular calcification via modulation of reactive oxygen species and senescence of vascular smooth muscle cells. Free Radic Biol Med, 223:30-41.

MacRae VE., 2024. The Adaptive Immune System: A New Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum Protagonist? J Invest Dermatol, 144(8):1670-1672.

Phadwal K, Tan X, Koo E, Zhu D, MacRae VE., 2023. Metformin ameliorates valve interstitial cell calcification by promoting autophagic flux. Sci Rep, 13(1):21435.

McNair AJ, Markby GR, Tang Q, MacRae VE, Corcoran BM., 2023. TGF-β phospho antibody array identifies altered SMAD2, PI3K/AKT/SMAD, and RAC signaling contribute to the pathogenesis of myxomatous mitral valve disease. Front Vet Sci, 10:1202001.

Chen J, Yu H, Tan X, Mok SWF, Xie Y, Wang Y, Jiang X, Macrae VE, Lan L, Fu X, Zhu D., 2023. PFKFB3-driven vascular smooth muscle cell glycolysis promotes vascular calcification via the altered FoxO3 and lactate production. FASEB J., 37:e23182.

Phadwal K, Tang QY, Luijten I, Zhao JF, Corcoran B, Semple RK, Ganley IG, MacRae VE. p53 Regulates Mitochondrial Dynamics in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Calcification. Int J Mol Sci, 24(2):1643.

Houston DA, Stephen LA, Jayash SN, Myers K, Little K, Hopkinson M, Pitsillides AA, MacRae VE, Millan JL, Staines KA, Farquharson C., 2023. Increased PHOSPHO1 and alkaline phosphatase expression during the anabolic bone response to intermittent parathyroid hormone delivery. Cell Biochem Funct, 41:189-201.

Tang Q, Markby GR, MacNair AJ, Tang K, Tkacz M, Parys M, Phadwal K, MacRae VE, Corcoran BM, 2023. TGF-β-induced PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway controls myofibroblast differentiation and secretory phenotype of valvular interstitial cells through the modulation of cellular senescence in a naturally occurring in vitro canine model of myxomatous mitral valve disease. Cell Prolif, 56:e13435.

Phadwal K, Koo E, Jones RA, Forsythe RO, Tang K, Tang Q, Corcoran BM, Caporali A, MacRae VE, 2022. Metformin protects against vascular calcification through the selective degradation of Runx2 by the p62 autophagy receptor. J Cell Physiol, 237:4303-4316.

Hsu SN, Stephen LA, Dillon S, Milne E, Javaheri B, Pitsillides AA, Novak A, Millán JL, MacRae VE, Staines KA, Farquharson C 2022 Increased PHOSPHO1 expression mediates cortical bone mineral density in renal osteodystrophy. J Endocrinol, 254:153-167.

Tang Q, McNair AJ, Phadwal K, Macrae VE, Corcoran BM, 2022. The Role of Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling in Myxomatous Mitral Valve Degeneration. Front Cardiovasc Med, 9:872288.

Wang S, Yu H, Gao J, Chen J, He P, Zhong H, Tan X, Staines KA, Macrae VE, Fu X, Jiang L, Zhu D., 2022. PALMD regulates aortic valve calcification via altered glycolysis and NF-κB-mediated inflammation. J Biol Chem, 298:101887.

Li S, Yokota T, Wang P, Ten Hoeve J, Ma F, Le TM, Abt ER, Zhou Y, Wu R, Nanthavongdouangsy M, Rodriguez A, Wang Y, Lin YJ, Muranaka H, Sharpley M, Braddock DT, MacRae VE, Banerjee U, Chiou PY, Seldin M, Huang D, Teitell M, Gertsman I, Jung M, Bensinger SJ, Damoiseaux R, Faull K, Pellegrini M, Lusis AJ, Graeber TG, Radu CG, Deb A, 2022. Cardiomyocytes disrupt pyrimidine biosynthesis in nonmyocytes to regulate heart repair. J Clin Invest, 132:e149711.

Roberts FL, Rashdan NA, Phadwal K, Markby GR, Dillon S, Zoll J, Berger J, Milne E, Orriss IR, Karsenty G, Le Saux O, Morton NM, Farquharson C, MacRae VE, 2021. Osteoblast-specific deficiency of ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase or phosphodiesterase-1 engenders insulin resistance in high-fat diet fed mice. J Cell Physiol, 236:4614-4624.

Rashdan NA, Sim AM, Cui L, Phadwal K, Roberts FL, Carter R, Ozdemir DD, Hohenstein P, Hung J, Kaczynski J, Newby DE, Baker AH, Karsenty G, Morton NM, MacRae VE, 2020. Osteocalcin Regulates Arterial Calcification Via Altered Wnt Signaling and Glucose Metabolism. J Bone Miner Res, 35:357-367.

Recent presentations and conferences

New insights into the role of metabolism in vascular calcification. Medical Technology Research Centre annual conference, Anglia Ruskin University, September 2025.

Advances in the mechanism research of cardiovascular calcification. Guangzhou Medical University, April 2025.

The Role of Metabolism and Mitochondria in Vascular Calcification. Guangzhou Medical University, April 2025.

Investigating the role of metabolism in vascular calcification. INTEC online webinar, March 2023.

The role of mitochondria in vascular calcification. Budapest PXE meeting October 2023.

Introducing vascular calcification. Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, May 2023.

The use of animal models to study ectopic calcification. International Network on Ectopic Calcification (INTEC) kick-off meeting, Ghent, October 2022.

The role of osteocalcin in vascular calcification”, International Symposium on Cardiovascular Calcification. Antwerp December 2019.

Investigating the role of sex hormones in vascular calcification. Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, March 2019.

Investigating the tissue specific effects of ENPP1. PXE International 2018 Research Conference, Philadelphia September 2018.

Steroids and calcification. COST conference, Stockholm, September 2018.

Endocrine functions of the skeleton: implications for type II diabetes. University of Hawaii, March 2018.

Investigating bone specific actions of NPP1. COST conference, Budapest, October 2017.

The multifaceted effects of ENPP1 deficiency. French Society of Physiology, Paris, June 2016.

Using 3D printing to create bone and skull models. Edinburgh Zoo, UK, October 2015.

Media experience

Why do men have more heart attacks? The Naked Scientists podcast, 26 April 2016. www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/interviews/why-do-men-have-more-heart-attacks.

Testosterone link to heart attacks in men, say Edinburgh researchers. BBC News, 21 April 2016. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-36100525.