Cardiovascular immunology and metabolism

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide, imposing a significant burden on society. Coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, the two most common forms of cardiovascular disease, are caused by acute complications of atherosclerosis. CVD kills over 17 million individuals every year, which accounts for one third of all global deaths.

Although population-wide management of traditional risk factors for CVDs (e.g. hyperlipidemia, high-blood pressure, glycaemia) has reduced the incidence of cardiovascular events in developed countries, substantial residual risk remains. Thus, translational therapeutic strategies targeting novel molecular pathways regulating atherosclerosis are needed. 

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease initiated by retention and accumulation of lipids in the artery wall, especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL), leading to maladaptive responses of innate and adaptive immune cells. Notably, metabolism and activation are fully integrated in immune cells, and systemic or microenvironmental changes in metabolism have been shown to modulate their responses.

In pioneer work, we have identified several targets to modulate the unwanted immune responses in the artery wall, including components of LDL that can trigger innate and adaptive immune cells, and metabolites of the essential amino acid tryptophan, via the Kynurenine pathway. Our research indicates that metabolites are not just ‘fuels’ in their metabolic pathways, but that they can also act as signalling molecules in immune cells and influence atherosclerosis. By increasing the understanding of the immunometabolic reactions controlling immune responses in atherogenesis, our research will lead to the development of new drugs to treat and prevent atherosclerotic CVDs.

Vascular surgery

Vascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the western world. In order to prevent disease development and develop preventive strategies, a complete understanding of basic cellular and molecular mechanisms is necessary. Our group utilizes a translational platform with advanced cell- and molecular biology, animal models in combination with patient centred research to resolve target processes in peripheral vascular disease such as mechanisms related to thromboembolic carotid disease and stroke, pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysms, vascular repair processes and inflammation in association with interventional procedures and pulmonary hypertension. The close proximity between clinical vascular surgery and advanced molecular research creates a unique platform for the resolution of issues of immediate concern for clinical care as well as breeding of future clinical academic leadership.

Donations

   If you would like to support this area of research

   you could do that by using Swish transfer. 

  Our Swish number is 123-245 79 76

Always state the name of group leader in order for us to allocate the gift properly. 

Or you can also use the following accounts:

BG: 628-4418
PG: 514114-8

Always state the name of group leader in order for us to allocate the gift properly. 

If you are outside of Sweden, please use the following information:

Bank: SEB, Stockholm, Sweden
Account No. 5201-11 370 12
Iban-number: SE16 5000 0000 0520 1113 7012
Bic-code (the bank´s electronic address): ESSESESS
Account holder: Center for Molecular Medicine Foundation
L8:05, Karolinska University Hospital
171 76 Stockholm, Sweden