Targeting the reciprocal interaction of GvHD and atherosclerosis after allogeneic HSCT (B11)

• Subject Area: Cardiology, Angiology ; Hematology, Oncology ; Immunology
• Term: since 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 324392634

Patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. To address the interconnection between GvHD and atherosclerosis, we established a GvHD-atherosclerosis mouse model and could show an increased atherosclerotic lesion formation in the aorta after allo-HSCT. The endothelium is the first contact for immunological effector cells and a key regulator of inflammatory processes. We will now further explore endothelial cell reorganization in GvHD target organs, test the function VEGFR1/2 in vascular remodeling and target organ damage in GvHD, and investigate endothelial cells as potential initiators of the alloreactive T cell response after allo-HSCT.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 221: Modulation of graft-versus-host and graft-versus-leukemia immune responses after allogeneic stem cell transplantation
• Applicant Institution: Universität Regensburg
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Andreas Beilhack; Professorin Dr. Alma Zernecke-Madsen