Index: Karolinska Institutet: KI North: Department of Medicine, Solna
Immunometabolic regulation of atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease that has been associated to an abnormal glucose metabolism in immune cells in the atherosclerotic plaque. It is well established that changes in metabolic pathways mediate potent effects on innate and adaptive immune responses to inflammatory insults such as inflammasome activation and interleukin-1ß production. Our preliminary data suggest that metabolic reprogramming of immune system in atherosclerosis is a promising therapeutic approach that influences vascular inflammation and inflammasome activation in the development of atherosclerosis. Through a systematic mechanistic examination of the immunometabolism in human disease, mouse models and cell cultured systems, this project offers the possibility of identifying new therapeutic targets to prevent and treat atherosclerotic CVD. Notably, targeting this pathway is in a unique position of being able to simultaneously regulate undesirable immune and metabolic responses. By creating novel successful strategies for preventing the adverse outcomes of CVD, our research can fill an unmet medical field that will lead to an enormous beneficial impact on health care. |