A07-Role of platelets for the inflammatory response and matrix remodelling in aortic aneurysm formation

Project A07 aims to understand how platelets modulate vascular stiffness, aneurysm formation and progression to identify key mechanisms that allow the development of new therapeutic strategies. We will investigate the contribution of the platelet-specific glycoproteins GPIb and GPVI to platelet-mediated inflammation, cell survival and aortic remodelling, mitochondrial dysfunction of platelets and ROS formation. We plan to target GPVI in mice with experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) by therapeutic and prophylactic approaches. In a first translational approach, we will identify the co-incidence of AAA and alterations in platelet signalling in AAA patients.