Immune targets to treat cardiovascular diseases

Almudena R. Ramiro

Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III - CNIC, Spain

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, and the WHO estimates that 17.9 million people die from them every year. These deaths are mainly caused by atherosclerosis (the build-up of fat, cholesterol and other substances in the arteries) and abdominal aortic aneurysm, the two most common diseases of the arterial vessels. The immune system plays a key role in both diseases, as they are associated with a chronic inflammatory immune response involving both innate and adaptive immunity.

Due to this major role in causing cardiovascular diseases, the immune system is a highly attractive target for the development of early diagnostic tools and new treatments. However, this path has always been hampered by limited knowledge regarding which antigens trigger the immune response.

The research team has already identified an atherosclerosis antigen and in this project will attempt to identify new immune targets for both atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm. The research will pave the way for implementing new strategies to restrict or enhance specific immune responses.

Dr. José Luis Martín Ventura, Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Spain

Harnessing the adaptive immune response in vascular pathologies: towards the identification of new therapeutic avenues

€750,042.40