PhD Scientific Days 2020

Theoretical and Translational IV. Lectures

Characterization of the Lymphatic Vasculature in Atherosclerosis

Előadó neve

Christ, Carolin, MSc

Előadó munkahelye

Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary

Előadó telefonszáma

0036707034970

Előadó e-mail címe

carolin.christ@med.semmelweis-univ.hu

Az előadás címe

Characterization of the Lymphatic Vasculature in Atherosclerosis

Szerző(k) neve és munkahelye

Carolin Christ1,2 and Zoltán Jakus1,2
1 Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
2 MTA-SE „Lendület” Lymphatic Physiology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

Szekció

Theoretical and Translational IV. Lectures

Language of the presentation

English

Section, first choice

Molecular Sciences

Section, second choice

Theoretical and Translational Medicine

Összefoglaló szövege

Introduction:
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of medium and large-sized arteries. It is characterized by a plaque formation in the arterial wall due to lipid and cholesterol accumulation. Excess cholesterol is transported from the periphery back to the liver for excretion by reverse cholesterol transport which has been linked to the development of atherosclerosis. Recently it has been shown that lymphatic vessels participate in reverse cholesterol transport. Lymphatic vessels are known to be present in the adventitia of the arterial wall, suggesting a possible role in the development of atherosclerosis.
Aims:
Characterization of the morphology and growth of the lymphatic vasculature in atherosclerosis and investigation of the role of lymphatics in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Materials and Methods:
Lymphatic reporter mice were used to visualize lymphatic vessels in the arterial wall. Ldlr-/- and ApoE-/- mice on control or high-fat diet were used to characterize the lymphatic vasculature in the development of atherosclerosis. Isolation of the aortae was followed by paraffin-based histology and H/E-stainings as well as stainings against lymphatic and blood vessel markers. Whole aortae were stained with Alizarin Red S and Oil-Red-O. To visualize lymphatic vasculature in whole aortae a tissue clearing method was used, followed by immunostaining against lymphatic marker.
Results:
We could show the presence of lymphatic vessels in the adventitia of blood vessels. We demonstrated the different density of the lymphatic vasculature in different parts of the aorta, finding no lymphatic vessels in the aortic arch and more lymphatic vessels in the lower parts of the aorta. Both Ldlr-/- and ApoE-/- mice developed severe atherosclerosis on a high-fat diet, indicating the largest atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic arch. Atherosclerotic mice showed an increased density of lymphatic vessels in the adventitia of the arterial wall.
Conclusion:
Our results suggest the possible role of the lymphatic vasculature in atherosclerosis. In current experiments we are using genetic loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches to block and stimulate lymphatic growth in atherosclerotic mice. Defining the role of the lymphatic system in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis may lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches in the future.

Additional Information

Supervisor: Zoltán Jakus
E-mail address: jakus.zoltan@med.semmelweis-univ.hu

Bemutatás módja

Szóbeli

Kind

Szabad

Status

elfogadva

Accepted presentation method

szóbeli

Előadás fájl jóváhagyás

nem rendelkezett róla

Előadó

4128

Start

11:40

End

11:55

Authors (legacy)

Carolin Christ1,2 and Zoltán Jakus1,2
1 Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
2 MTA-SE „Lendület” Lymphatic Physiology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary