Regulation of necrotic core formation in atherosclerosis by macrophage miRNAs (B04)

• Subject Area: Cardiology, Angiology
• Term: since 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 238187445

The necrotic core increases the vulnerability of atherosclerotic lesions due to the deposition of cholesterol crystals and lipid-rich cell debris. We aim to study how miRNAs in macrophages regulate the balance between efferocytosis and cell death, and thus affect the formation of cholesterol crystals in the necrotic core. Therefore, we will investigate the role of (Aim 1) miR-147-5p in inflammatory macrophages, (Aim 2) the miRNA-producing enzyme Dicer in lipid-loaded macrophages, and (Aim 3) the miRNA let7b in macrophages using cell-specific gene deletion in mice and 4D-live cell and plaque imaging methods that we have developed.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1123: Atherosclerosis: Mechanisms and Networks of Novel Therapeutic Targets
• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Project Heads: Dr. Maliheh Nazari Jahantigh, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Andreas Schober; Professor Dr. Christian Weber, until 6/2018