Periodic Reporting for period 2 - UCARE (Uncovering the epigenetic signature of female-specifiC biological networks and key driver genes of coronary ArteRy diseasE)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-03-01 al 2023-08-31
In this project, we aim to unravel these sex differences and translate female-specific biology to blood diagnostics to improve the diagnoses of heart diseases in women.
In the last year, my team has made substantial progress in the elucidation of sex-specific mechanisms driving atherosclerotic disease. We identified important sex differences in gene regulation of atherosclerosis in humans pointing to crucial involvement of smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis development. Our data suggest that cell phenotypic switching is a dominant feature in female atherosclerosis (Hartman et al. Circulation 2021). Next steps are to understand how these sex differences arise, whether these are driven by sex hormones and their receptors, or sex chromosomes. In addition, we will further identify biomarker profiles that relate to plaque erosion in women.