86 - The Immune Response in Atherosclerosis
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by the accumulation of modified lipoproteins and immune cells in the aortic wall, vascular dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and the formation of dangerous atherosclerotic plaques within vessels. Atherosclerosis causes 25% of global deaths. Our laboratory aims to elucidate the immune processes underlying atherosclerosis development, with the goal of identifying novel therapies to slow the progression of atherosclerosis.
Evidence suggests that the immune response plays a role in the development of atherosclerosis. Importantly, different leukocyte subsets exhibit either pathological or protective properties in atherosclerosis. Several projects in our laboratory investigate the role of B cell subsets in atherosclerosis with a focus on B cell functions regulated by cholesterol metabolism. We also investigate how immunoglobulin A (IgA) influences the development of stable atherosclerotic plaques within blood vessels. An exciting new area of research in the lab involves identifying specific mechanistic links between fragmented sleep and atherogenesis. Sleep fragmentation is a common phenomenon in modern life, affecting ~30% of the population. It increases in aging and has been linked to sleep apnea, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, all of which are significant risk factors for atherosclerosis. Our current projects focus on the role of sleep fragmentation in promoting atherosclerosis and sex-dependent differences that drive atherogenesis in the context of sleep fragmentation and hyperlipidemia in both aged male and postmenopausal female mice. By advancing our understanding of the immune response, cholesterol metabolism, and the effects of modern lifestyle factors, such as sleep fragmentation, on atherosclerosis development, our laboratory aims to uncover novel therapeutic strategies to mitigate the progression of atherosclerosis and reduce its impact on global health.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Elena Galkina
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
BST
College Affiliation
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Life Sciences
86 - The Immune Response in Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by the accumulation of modified lipoproteins and immune cells in the aortic wall, vascular dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and the formation of dangerous atherosclerotic plaques within vessels. Atherosclerosis causes 25% of global deaths. Our laboratory aims to elucidate the immune processes underlying atherosclerosis development, with the goal of identifying novel therapies to slow the progression of atherosclerosis.
Evidence suggests that the immune response plays a role in the development of atherosclerosis. Importantly, different leukocyte subsets exhibit either pathological or protective properties in atherosclerosis. Several projects in our laboratory investigate the role of B cell subsets in atherosclerosis with a focus on B cell functions regulated by cholesterol metabolism. We also investigate how immunoglobulin A (IgA) influences the development of stable atherosclerotic plaques within blood vessels. An exciting new area of research in the lab involves identifying specific mechanistic links between fragmented sleep and atherogenesis. Sleep fragmentation is a common phenomenon in modern life, affecting ~30% of the population. It increases in aging and has been linked to sleep apnea, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, all of which are significant risk factors for atherosclerosis. Our current projects focus on the role of sleep fragmentation in promoting atherosclerosis and sex-dependent differences that drive atherogenesis in the context of sleep fragmentation and hyperlipidemia in both aged male and postmenopausal female mice. By advancing our understanding of the immune response, cholesterol metabolism, and the effects of modern lifestyle factors, such as sleep fragmentation, on atherosclerosis development, our laboratory aims to uncover novel therapeutic strategies to mitigate the progression of atherosclerosis and reduce its impact on global health.