Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Isabel Goncalves, Jiangming Sun, Christoffer Tengryd, Mihaela Nitulescu, Ana F. Persson, Jan Nilsson, Andreas Edsfeldt
Summary: The study demonstrates that calculating a vulnerability index (VI) can predict the likelihood of future cardiovascular events in high-risk patients, which is important for risk stratification and treatment planning.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Andreas Edsfeldt, Maarten Swart, Pratibha Singh, Lea Dib, Jiangming Sun, Jennifer E. Cole, Inhye Park, Dania Al-Sharify, Ana Persson, Mihaela Nitulescu, Patricia Das Neves Borges, Christina Kassiteridi, Michael E. Goddard, Regent Lee, Petr Volkov, Marju Orho-Melander, Lars Maegdefessel, Jan Nilsson, Irina Udalova, Isabel Goncalves, Claudia Monaco
Summary: The study found that IRF5 is associated with plaque vulnerability and symptoms in human carotid endarterectomies. In a murine model of inducible carotid artery plaque rupture, IRF5 drives plaque rupture. IRF5 modulates macrophage phenotype and colocalizes with CD11c(+) macrophages at the plaque shoulder.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Elmira Mahdinia, Nafiseh Shokri, Abdolkarim Talebi Taheri, Sahar Asgharzadeh, Mohammad Elahimanesh, Mohammad Najafi
Summary: This review summarizes the cellular, structural, and molecular dysfunctions involved in the formation, growth, and remodeling of atherosclerotic plaques. It discusses the recruitment, polarization, and accumulation of cells, as well as the communication between endothelial cells, macrophages, and vascular smooth muscle cells in the plaque microenvironment. Additionally, it elaborates on the structural components of plaques and the factors contributing to their rupture and erosion in the vessel.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2023)
Article
Hematology
M. F. A. Karel, B. M. E. Tullemans, G. D'Italia, T. P. Lemmens, T. A. M. Claushuis, M. J. E. Kuijpers, J. M. E. M. Cosemans
Summary: Under shear gradient conditions, the Btk inhibitor ibrutinib reduces platelet deposition on human atherosclerotic plaque and decreases thrombus size and contraction.
THROMBOSIS RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaoxin Li, Yanyan Yang, Zhibin Wang, Shaoyan Jiang, Yuanyuan Meng, Xiaoxia Song, Liang Zhao, Lu Zou, Min Li, Tao Yu
Summary: Cardiovascular diseases caused by arteriosclerosis are a leading global cause of death, and regulating plaque stability is crucial for reducing mortality. Recent research suggests that non-coding RNAs play a significant role in regulating the pathophysiological process of atherosclerotic plaque formation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Xing Luo, Minghao Liu, Shengfang Wang, Yuwu Chen, Xiaoyi Bao, Ying Lv, Shan Zhang, Biyi Xu, Xiuzhu Weng, Xiaoxuan Bai, Ming Zeng, Chen Zhao, Ji Li, Haibo Jia, Bo Yu
Summary: In this study, it was found that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), salicylic acid, and proline could be used as non-invasive biomarkers to differentiate plaque erosion (PE) and plaque rupture (PR) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marko Kumric, Josip A. Borovac, Dinko Martinovic, Tina Ticinovic Kurir, Josko Bozic
Summary: Despite advancements in mitigating ACS complications, it remains a global health burden. Most vulnerable plaques leading to ACS are due to sudden disruption rather than gradual narrowing of vessel lumen. Current imaging modalities for vulnerable plaque detection are invasive, leading to the search for biomarkers from lipid and inflammation processes.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Oliver Borst, Meinrad Gawaz
Summary: Subendothelial collagen exposed to platelets after rupture of atherosclerotic plaques is the main trigger of platelet activation and acute arterial thrombotic occlusion. Developing antiplatelet strategies that selectively inhibit atherothrombosis without interfering with bleeding control is an unmet clinical need. Platelet glycoprotein VI (GPVI) plays a crucial role in collagen-induced platelet activation and aggregation, making it a potential target for novel therapeutic strategies in thrombotic and inflammatory diseases.
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Constance C. F. M. J. Baaten, Magdolna Nagy, Wolfgang Bergmeier, Henri M. H. Spronk, Paola E. J. van der Meijden
Summary: Coronary atherosclerosis is the leading cause of heart disease in developed countries and is a chronic inflammatory process. The composition and location of atherosclerotic plaques determine the phenotype of the lesion, and plaque rupture or erosion can lead to acute clinical events. The contribution of platelets to thrombus formation differs depending on the plaque phenotype.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jun Qian, Yanhua Gao, Yan Lai, Zi Ye, Yian Yao, Keke Ding, Jing Tong, Hao Lin, Guoqi Zhu, Yunan Yu, Haoran Ding, Deqiang Yuan, Jiapeng Chu, Fei Chen, Xuebo Liu
Summary: This study analyzed the transcriptomic profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and found that immune cells in patients with plaque rupture exhibited highly pro-inflammatory characteristics, while plaque erosion was associated with intermediate monocyte amplification, neutrophil activation, and degranulation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Sophie Z. Gu, Martin R. Bennett
Summary: Atherosclerosis is a major cause of death globally, with myocardial infarctions often resulting from rupture or erosion of coronary plaques. Imaging modalities alone have limited ability to accurately assess plaque risk, necessitating the use of additional biomarkers. Plaque structural stress (PSS), which incorporates various variables, has been shown to be correlated with acute coronary syndrome, plaque rupture, and major adverse cardiovascular events, offering valuable prognostic information beyond imaging. This review explores the methods for calculating PSS, the imaging modalities used for modeling PSS, and the potential for refining treatment options and predicting future events based on PSS.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jiannan Li, Runzhen Chen, Jinying Zhou, Ying Wang, Xiaoxiao Zhao, Chen Liu, Peng Zhou, Yi Chen, Li Song, Shaodi Yan, Hongbing Yan, Hanjun Zhao
Summary: This study found that the level of plaque structural stress in ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction patients with plaque rupture is closely associated with glucose control (HbA1c level). Optical coherence tomography can be used to evaluate the risk of plaque rupture, highlighting the importance of glucose control in patients with coronary atherosclerotic disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amelia Drysdale, Amanda J. J. Unsworth, Stephen J. J. White, Sarah Jones
Summary: The vascular extracellular matrix (ECM) composed of collagens and glycoproteins produced by endothelial and smooth muscle cells plays a crucial role in regulating the structure and function of the vascular wall. Dysregulation in the expression of these proteins is associated with endothelial dysfunction and is implicated in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. The composition of ECM in atherosclerotic plaques varies depending on plaque phenotype and vulnerability, and different plaque phenotypes may require distinct antithrombotic approaches.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jasmine Melissa Madsen, Henning Kelbaek, Lars Nepper-Christensen, Mia Ravn Jacobsen, Kiril Aleksov Ahtarovski, Dan Eik Hofsten, Lene Holmvang, Frants Pedersen, Hans -Henrik Tilsted, Jens Aaroe, Svend Eggert Jensen, Bent Raungaard, Christian Juhl Terkelsen, Lars Kober, Thomas Engstrom, Jacob Thomsen Lonborg
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of STEMI patients treated with PCI without stenting. The results showed that patients treated without stenting, who had no significant residual stenosis and stable flow after initial PCI, had comparable event rates to patients treated with immediate stenting.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ilenia Calcaterra, Pasquale Ambrosino, Nicoletta Vitelli, Roberta Lupoli, Roberta Clara Orsini, Martina Chiurazzi, Mauro Maniscalco, Matteo Nicola Dario Di Minno
Summary: Antiphospholipid antibodies are autoantibodies directed against plasma proteins with affinity for membrane phospholipids, and they play a key role in the development of antiphospholipid syndrome. Risk factors for future thrombotic events in asymptomatic carriers include LA activity, multiple aPL positivity, high-titer aPL, and concomitant systemic autoimmune disease. Carriers of aPL are also at risk for accelerated atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular risk. Risk stratification is recommended to prevent thrombotic complications in aPL-positive subjects.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
C. A. Bonfiglio, C. Weber, D. Atzler, E. Lutgens
Summary: Current therapies for cardiovascular disease primarily focus on lipid lowering and face residual risk. Inflammation, along with lipids, plays a significant role in atherosclerosis. Clinical trials targeting the interleukin-1 beta-inflammasome pathway have successfully reduced cardiovascular events but not overall CVD mortality. Novel and improved immunotherapeutics for CVD are eagerly anticipated.
QJM-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nidhi Verma, Shubham Srivastava, Ruchi Malik, Pankaj Goyal, Janmejay Pandey
Summary: This study identified two small molecule inhibitors, lovastatin and simvastatin, through virtual screening and drug repurposing, that can completely inhibit biofilm formation and disintegrate pre-formed biofilms in Bacillus subtilis. Targeting the key components of the extracellular matrix appears to be an effective approach for inhibiting microbial biofilms.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Virginia Egea, Remco Theodorus Adrianus Megens, Donato Santovito, Sarawuth Wantha, Richard Brandl, Wolfgang Siess, Sajjad Khani, Oliver Soehnlein, Alexander Bartelt, Christian Weber, Christian Ries
Summary: let-7f promotes hMSC tropism towards atheromas through the LL-37/FPR2 axis and demonstrates that hMSCs develop a potentially athero-protective signature upon contact with the human plaque environment.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Laura A. Bosmans, Claudia M. van Tiel, Suzanne A. B. M. Aarts, Lisa Willemsen, Jeroen Baardman, Bram W. van Os, Myrthe den Toom, Linda Beckers, David J. Ahern, Johannes H. M. Levels, Aldo Jongejan, Perry D. Moerland, Sanne G. S. Verberk, Jan van den Bossche, Menno M. P. J. de Winther, Christian Weber, Dorothee Atzler, Claudia Monaco, Norbert Gerdes, Annelie Shami, Esther Lutgens
Summary: This study investigates the role of CD40 in atherosclerosis and shows that inhibiting CD40 signaling can reduce atherosclerosis. The researchers used myeloid-specific CD40-deficient mice and found that the absence of CD40 in myeloid cells reduces atherosclerosis and systemic inflammation by preventing pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Floriana Maria Farina, Christian Weber, Donato Santovito
Summary: Most of our genome is transcribed into ncRNAs, including miRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs, etc., which play important roles in regulating gene expression at various levels. They are involved in chromatin remodeling, transcriptional regulation, mRNA splicing, stability, and decay, and ultimately affect physiological and pathological mechanisms in vascular biology and atherosclerosis. Recent research has revealed unexpected findings, expanding the functional repertoire of ncRNAs beyond gene regulation and highlighting an additional layer of biological control. This review discusses emerging aspects of ncRNA biology, their implications for vascular biology and atherosclerosis, and possible translational applications.
Article
Hematology
Myrthe E. Reiche, Kikkie Poels, Laura A. Bosmans, Winnie G. Vos, Claudia M. van Tiel, Marion J. J. Gijbels, Suzanne A. B. M. Aarts, Myrthe den Toom, Linda Beckers, Christian Weber, Dorothee Atzler, Patrick C. N. Rensen, Sander Kooijman, Esther Lutgens
Summary: The CD40-CD40L dyad has an important role in chronic inflammatory diseases associated with aging. This study found that CD40 is also present on adipocytes. Deficiency of adipocyte CD40 leads to a decrease in bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells, increased T-cell activation, and elevated corticosterone levels, particularly with age. However, adipocyte CD40 deficiency also reduces atherosclerosis burden and ameliorates diet-induced obesity.
Review
Cell Biology
Sarajo K. Mohanta, Changjun Yin, Christian Weber, Andreas J. R. Habenicht
Summary: Two pairs of biological systems, namely the nervous and vascular systems, and the nervous and immune systems, have been defined as major participants in the regulation of physiological and pathological tissue reactions. The interactions between these systems have led to the concepts of neurovascular link and neuroimmunology. Recent studies on atherosclerosis have proposed the concept of neuroimmune cardiovascular interfaces (NICIs), which involve complex crosstalks between the nervous system, immune system, and cardiovascular system.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Emiel P. C. van der Vorst, Sanne L. Maas, Kosta Theodorou, Linsey J. F. Peters, Han Jin, Timo Rademakers, Marion J. Gijbels, Mat Rousch, Yvonne Jansen, Christian Weber, Michael Lehrke, Corinna Lebherz, Daniela Yildiz, Andreas Ludwig, Jacob F. Bentzon, Erik A. L. Biessen, Marjo M. P. C. Donners
Summary: This study demonstrates that endothelial ADAM10 plays a protective role in the development of murine atherosclerosis, primarily by limiting inflammation induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL). The findings provide novel opportunities for treating atherosclerosis progression, but caution should be exercised when considering the use of ADAM10 inhibitors for therapy in other diseases.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Sarajo K. K. Mohanta, Changjun Yin, Christian Weber, Cristina Godinho-Silva, Henrique Veiga-Fernandes, Qian J. J. Xu, Rui B. B. Chang, Andreas J. R. Habenicht
Summary: The cardiovascular system is connected to the brain through complex axonal connections. Two distinct subcircuits, the artery-brain circuit and the heart-brain circuit, have recently been defined. The impact of the nervous system on the progression of cardiovascular disease is not well understood. This review explores the anatomy and inner workings of these subcircuits and discusses the possibility of a systemic cardiovascular brain circuit.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Christian Weber, Andreas J. R. Habenicht, Philipp von Hundelshausen
Summary: This review summarizes recent progress in the therapeutic targeting of inflammatory components in atherosclerosis. Novel strategies, such as interference with the CD40L-CD40 dyad and selective targeting of TRAFs, show potential in reducing atherosclerosis and plaque instability without immune side effects. Additionally, modulation of the chemokine system and disruption of the adventitial neuroimmune cardiovascular interfaces offer promising avenues for intervention beyond anti-inflammatory approaches.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christine Krammer, Bishan Yang, Sabrina Reichl, Simon Besson-Girard, Hao Ji, Verena Bolini, Corinna Schulte, Heidi Noels, Kai Schlepckow, Georg Jocher, Georg Werner, Michael Willem, Omar El Bounkari, Aphrodite Kapurniotu, Ozgun Gokce, Christian Weber, Sarajo Mohanta, Jurgen Bernhagen
Summary: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory condition of our arteries and the underlying pathology of heart attacks and strokes. The role of the inflammatory cytokine MIF in the progression of atherosclerosis and its relationship with age and atherogenic cytokines are not fully understood.
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lea Strohm, Steffen Daub, Matthias Oelze, Marin Kuntic, Henning Ubbens, Veronique Klein, Imo E. Hoefer, Alex Von Kriegsheim, Hartmut Kleinert, Christian Weber, Dorothee Atzler, Philipp Wild, Thomas Muenzel, Christoph Knosalla, Esther Lutgens, Andreas Daiber
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Stephan Sachs, Anna Goetz, Brian Finan, Annette Feuchtinger, Richard D. DiMarchi, Yvonne Doering, Christian Weber, Matthias H. Tschoep, Timo D. Mueller, Susanna M. Hofmann
Summary: Long-acting acylated GIP analog (acyl-GIP) treatment can improve dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis independently of body weight loss. This treatment may improve dyslipidemia by directly modulating lipid metabolism in the inguinal fat depot.
CARDIOVASCULAR DIABETOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xavier Blanchet, Christian Weber, Philipp von Hundelshausen
Summary: Chemoattractant cytokines or chemokines are involved in gradient formation and cell recruitment. They interact with their receptors, glycosaminoglycans, and other soluble effector proteins to form complexes. Chemokine dimerization changes their structure and confers additional biological activities. This review provides an overview of chemokine functionality and their interactions with other proteins, as well as potential therapeutic tools targeting chemokine multimeric structures.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)