Dissertation
Mast cells in advanced atherosclerosis: from human plaque stability to new therapeutic targets
In this thesis, the role of mast cells in atherosclerosis and novel therapeutic strategies to inhibit atherosclerosis progression are discussed. The first part of the thesis specifically focuses on the relation between mast cells and advanced human atherosclerotic plaque characteristics.
- Author
- E. Hemme
- Date
- 19 February 2025
- Links
- Thesis in Leiden Repository
The second part of the thesis focuses on identifying and examining new potential therapeutic targets to treat atherosclerosis. In chapter 2, we implemented a flow-cytometry-based method to identify mast cells and its activation status in advanced human plaques. We evaluated the relation between mast cells and key features of human plaque stability. In chapter 3, we further investigated the link between mast cells and plaque stability in a large patient cohort from the BiKe biobank. In particular, we examined the role of mast cells in plaque calcification via vascular smooth muscle cells. In the second part of the thesis, we used single-cell RNA sequencing data of human plaques to identify novel therapeutic targets in atherosclerosis. In chapter 4, we examined the therapeutic potential of Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase in atherosclerosis by treating Ldlr-/- mice with a small molecule inhibitor in early and advanced experimental atherosclerosis. Chapter 5 explores Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Receptor signaling as novel target in the treatment of atherosclerosis.