Project title: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms in Atherosclerotic Plaque Progression - Contract no. 346/2007
Programme: PN-II Idei
Thematic field: PCE
Abstract: Heart disease and stroke, the main cardiovascular diseases (CVD), have become global epidemics in our days. High levels of cholesterol and other abnormal lipids are among the main risk factors of atherosclerosis, the number one killer in the world. Globaly the number of deaths reaches 16.7 million/year and is on the rise according to the World Health Organisation statistics (WHO). However, recent advanteges in CVD treatment together with improvements in surgical techniques heve increased the quality of life and reduced premature death rates and disbilities. Nevertheless, they still add a heavy burden to the rising global costs of health care. The medical priorities highlight not only the need for early recognition of the warning signs of a heart attack, but also the need for early biomarkers for prevention. Two active partners in the development and progression of atherosclerotic plaques are the macrophages and endothelial cells that influence each other and modify the microenviroment composition of the plaque leading to either rapid progression or regression of individual lesions in patients. In this project we address specific aspects related to atherosclerosis: 1) The role and function of caveolin 1 and 2 in the permeability control of the vasculr endothelium; 2) The way in which folic acid and folic acid conjugates may be helpful to identify activated macrophages; 3) The correlation between gene/preoteic expression of HMGB1 (High Mobility Group Box 1) and plaque pregression; 4) The high potential of proteomic analysis to evidence and identify the multiple changes induced in activated vascular cells in experimental hyperlipidemia.
Stages: stage 1 , stage 2 , stage 3
Duration: 3 years
Project start date: 1.10.2007
Project finish date: 1.09.2010
Total value: 1000000 RON
State budget financing: 1000000 RON
Project director: PhD. Felicia Antohe
Project director e-mail: felicia.antohe@icbp.ro
Coordinating institution: Institute of Cellular Biology and Pahtology "Nicolae Simionescu"
List of publications and presentations (link)