Project: Subclinical atherosclerosis characterization: Nanoparticle-based molecular and cellular imaging
| Acronym | SCAN (Reference Number: 3. JTC-2017_44) |
| Project Topic | Non-invasive imaging of cellular processes can become a key tool to 1) understand progression of atherosclerosis to coronary artery disease (CAD); 2) identify persons that need preventive therapy; 3) test the causal role of potential risk factors, including life style; and 4) guide development of new drugs against CAD. The aim of SCAN is to expand knowledge on smooth muscle cell (SMC) plasticity in experimental and human atherosclerosis, and to develop nanoparticle-based imaging of macrophage-like SMCs as a measure of plaque progression rate and instability. Recent research has shown that the quantitative importance of the SMC lineage for the cellular content of plaques has been grossly underestimated. The applicants in particular have shown that SMCs in plaques undergo abundant conversion to a previously unrecognized, macrophage-like cell type. Given the important role of traditional fibrous cap SMCs for safeguarding against acute CAD, and the importance of inflammation in disease progression, we hypothesize that such SMC modulation has direct consequences for future risk of progression and acute CAD events. SCAN is a collaboration between experienced experimental atherosclerosis and imaging groups in Nijmegen, Tübingen and Madrid. It brings together deep knowledge in atherosclerosis mechanisms, SMCs, and imaging modalities; genetically designed atherosclerosis models in mice and minipigs; human atherosclerotic plaque biobanks; two complementary and cutting-edge nanoparticle platforms, and state-ofthe- art MRI, PET/CT, ultrasound, and optoacoustic imaging facilities. |
| Network | ERA-CVD |
| Call | Joint Transnational Call for Proposals 2017: Mechanisms of early atherosclerosis and/or plaque instability in Coronary Artery Disease |
Project partner
| Number | Name | Role | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III | Coordinator | Spain |
| 2 | Radboud University Medical Centre | Partner | Netherlands |
| 3 | University of Tübingen, Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry (IFIB) | Partner | Germany |