Platelet CyPA/ RAGE as modulators of inflammation and immune responses during myocardial remodelling and aneurysm formation (B03)

• Subject Area: Cardiology, Angiology
• Term: from 2018 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 374031971

In this project, we study the functional role of Cyclophilin A (CyPA) secreted from platelets in cardiovascular disease models. Based on prior observations that extracellular CyPA drives angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy and abdominal aortic aneurysm formation, this project will apply a novel mouse model to delete CyPA specifically in platelets for studying the role of platelet-derived CyPA in these disease models. This project will also evaluate the role of recently identified CyPA receptors in mediating CyPA effects herein. In addition, the principal function of platelet activation and degranulation in cardiac hypertrophy and aortic aneurysm formation will be studied using different genetic mouse models.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 240: Platelets – Molecular, cellular and systemic functions in health and disease
• Applicant Institution: Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg
• Project Heads: Dr. David Heinzmann, since 10/2019; Privatdozent Dr. Peter Seizer, until 9/2019; Professorin Dr. Alma Zernecke-Madsen