AG Stark/Pekayvaz

Mechanisms of sterile inflammation in cardiovascular diseases

Inflammation is a key pathogenic mechanism that has a major impact on cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis and myocardial infarction. Using bioimaging and in vivo models, we aim to identify novel anti-inflammatory mechanisms that can be used as therapeutic targets.

Our work in the Collaborative Research Center 914 (Immune Cell Migration in Inflammation, Development and Disease) is dedicated to the analysis of basic mechanisms of sterile inflammation. In particular, we are investigating the mechanisms of cell-cell contacts for the initiation and resolution of inflammation.

In the field of atherosclerosis, we concentrate on the interaction of myeloid leukocytes with smooth muscle cells. In the Collaborative Research Center 1123 (Atherosclerosis - Mechanisms and Networks of New Therapeutic Target Structures), we are currently investigating the plasticity of smooth muscle cells and their contribution to inflammation during the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

As we have identified sterile inflammation as an important factor in the pathogenesis of thrombosis, we are now focusing on the systemic effects of thrombosis and on translational projects evaluating potential therapeutic targets in patient samples. This work is supported by the ERC Starting Grant T-MEMORE (Thrombotic MEMory - Thrombotic MEMory - Linking a break in tolerance to platelets to Rethrombosis).

Our goal is to identify anti-inflammatory approaches in cardiovascular medicine and translate them into the clinical context. This is made possible by the positioning of our laboratory at the interface between basic research and clinical medicine.

LMU Newsroom # Medicine: Searching for clues in the blood clot (08.10.2021)
Originally translated with DeepL