Is There a Role for Myeloid Cell-derived Versican in Diabetes-accelerated Atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular diseases, caused by atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, are the number one cause of death in the world, causing over 30% of deaths. Diabetes is also becoming an increasingly common disease with nearly 10% of Americans diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is known to increase macrophage expression and inflammatory activation leading to increased risk of death by 50%. Macrophages are important inflammatory response cells that are present in every stage of atherosclerosis and may become a target for emerging strategies to combat atherosclerosis. Versican is an extracellular matrix protein that is found in higher levels in diabetic individuals and is associated with increased atherosclerosis. Therefore, it is hypothesized that if the versican gene is knocked out, there will be fewer apoptotic cells, less inflammation, and slower atherosclerotic progression.

Materials Available

• Abstract

---

Project Type(s): Master's Thesis

Author(s): Katie Osterbauer

Program(s): Master of Science

Year: 2018

Adviser(s):

• Michael Rosenfeld