Chiara MACCHI – Pharm. and Mol. Biology Depart. – Univ. of Milano – Exploring the Role of Classical and Non-Classical Biomarkers in the Context of Atherosclerotic Burden – Nov. 24, 2022 – 12:30 – room 514 – School of Medicine (105)

At the invitation of Antonio Gallo (Team 5), the Umrs1166-Ican monthly seminar has the honor and pleasure of wellcoming

Chiara MACCHI

Pharmacology and Molecular Biology Department – University of Milano

Exploring the role of classical and non-classical biomarkers in the context of atherosclerotic burden

November 24, 2022 – 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm

room 514 – School of Medicine – 105 boulevard de l’Hôpital 75013 Paris

Abstract: Cardiovascular risk stratification is a clinical challenge. Although lifestyle interventions and pharmacological strategies lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) have led to a reduction in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), even among those with controlled LDL-C, ASCVD events continue to occur frequently. Thus, there is a need to identify new biomarkers improving the risk prediction for cardiovascular events. On this matter, emerging evidence emphasizes the importance of extracellular vesicles in intercellular communication processes with key effects on cell survival, endothelial homeostasis, inflammation, neoangiogenesis and thrombosis. Another aspect worth considering is related to mitochondria. They are responsible for the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the regulation of nutritional metabolism, calcium homeostasis and cellular viability in several organs. Pertaining cardiovascular burden, accumulation of mitochondrial DNA damage and progressive respiratory chain dysfunction are associated with atherosclerosis or cardiomyopathy in human investigations and animal models of oxidative stress. Mitochondrial dysfunction can also result in apoptosis, favoring plaque rupture. The characterization of extracellular vesicles and the study of mitochondrial functionality could thus pave the way for a better cardiovascular risk prediction as well as for promising therapeutic strategy in atherosclerosis.