Welcome to the Horizon 2020 atherosclerosis research program website
Cell Metabolism review: Importance of cellular metabolic rewiring during myeloid cell activation
Renewed interest in immune cell metabolism has led to the emergence of a research field aimed at studying the importance of metabolic processes for an effective immune response. In addition to the adaptive immune system, cells of the myeloid lineage have been shown to undergo robust metabolic changes upon activation. In the Cell Metabolism paper, published by
Epigenetic remodeling and the use of ‘epigenetic drugs’ are a promising tool for future treatment of atherosclerosis.
Bonn University (Prof. Eike Latz) and Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen (Prof. Niels Riksen and Dr. Siroon Bekkering) published a review in the journal Seminars on Immunology in which they discuss the concept of trained innate immunity in the context of a hyperlipidemic environment and atherosclerosis. According to this idea the epigenome of myeloid (progenitor) cells is presumably modified
Poster presentations and science talks at European Atherosclerosis Society 2017 meeting
Jan Schnitzler, poster presentation Renate Hoogeveen, scientific talk Simone Verweij, poster presentation Simone Verweij, electronic poster presentation
Investigational anti-inflammatory drug meets primary endpoint in global Phase III CANTOS outcome study
In line with the ground-breaking concept of REPROGRAM not only the cholesterol lowering PCSK9 inhibitors seem to be effective. But now, a purely anti-inflammatory cardiovascular trial with the IL-1ß blocker was positive. Thus, both hypotheses seem to be correct, the cholesterol and the inflammation hypotheses of treating cardiovascular disease. The global Phase III CANTOS
Scientific publication in European Heart Journal
Sophie J. Bernelot Moens, junior researcher in the group of Prof. Erik Stroes and Prof. Menno de Winther (Academic Medical Center) recently published her results in European Heart Journal on how PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies reverse the pro-inflammatory profile of monocytes in familial hypercholesterolaemia. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) monoclonal antibodies increase hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor expression and show potent low-density lipoprotein
Review on the biology of PCSK9 in Cardiovascular Research
The group of Prof. Catapano at University of Milano, Italy (IRCCS MultiMedica-MultiMedica SpA, Cardiovascular Department, Atherosclerosis Center) published an highly interesting review on the biological processes of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin 9 (PCSK9). PCK9 is a key regulator of low-density lipoprotein receptor levels and LDL-cholesterol levels. The PCSK9 gene is associated with hypocholesterolaemia and protection against cardiovascular disease, setting the stage for
First young REPROGRAM researcher meeting
The first informal young REPROGRAM researcher meeting was held at the European Atherosclerosis Society in Prague. REPROGRAM provides an excellent environment for early stage researchers as it brings together senior researchers from different fields of expertise such as cardiovascular diseases, immunology and rheumatology, covering the spectrum of fundamental and clinical studies. Furthermore, life sciences companies are
New CELL METABOLISM paper by the groups of Radboud University Nijmegen
The groups of Riksen, Joosten and Netea investigated the induction of trained immunity (innate immune memory) and the role of immune and metabolic pathways that result in epigenetic rewiring of cellular functional programs. Trained immunity is the key mechanism studied in REPROGRAM and proposed as a common diseases mechanism underlying atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. The study published in CELL
Young REPROGRAM researcher meeting organised at EAS 2017
After a successful 1st REPROGRAM project year and most scientific work currently underway, an INFORMAL MEET-UP will be organized for all “YOUNG” REPROGRAM researchers at the 85th European Atherosclerosis Society congress held in Prague, Czech Republic (23-26 April, 2017). In REPROGRAM, 9 academic groups are involved that embed over 10 Postdoctoral researchers and 12 PhD students, all dedicated to the development of
New scientific publication in Clinical and Vaccine Immunology
Bekkering et al determined the optimal conditions for an in vitro experimental protocol of monocyte training using three of the most commonly used training stimuli from the literature: -glucan, BCG vaccine, and oxLDL. Although the effects of these three stimuli on trained immunity have been described before, this is the first time that the kinetics of this in vitro model have
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N°667837.
