A02-Danger signaling pathways in aortic disease

Chronic inflammation is responsible for the development and progression of aortic disease. In the first funding period, we demonstrated that specific activation of the innate immune system is critical for this pro-inflammatory state. Project A02 will expand on these findings by deciphering what cell types mediate the observed effects using conditional mice and specific in vitro models. For translation, we will test therapeutic interventions targeting innate immune receptor activation. Finally, we will study the role of danger signalling mechanisms of monocytes with specific pro-inflammatory genetic predispositions, termed clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), in the development of aortic disease.