Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have recently identified a region of chromosome 9p21 as the most important source of heritable risk for cardiovascular disease. This locus is independent of traditional risk factors such as smoking, hypertension and hyperlipidemia, and the most predictive 9p21 variants account for more than 20% of an individual's lifetime risk for coronary artery disease. Despite being implicated in the leading cause of death in the Western world, the mechanism(s) by which these polymorphisms lead to vascular disease remain unclear. In this proposal, the investigators seek to elucidate the relationship between a leading candidate gene at the 9p21 risk locus, CDKN2B, and atherosclerosis. Specifically, they will query the role of this gene in a process known as efferocytosis, which is the phagocytic clearance of apoptotic debris. They will investigate how this process regulates the growth of the necrotic core in the developing atherosclerotic plaque and determine the downstream consequences of impaired efferocytosis. This proposal will bring together recognized experts from several fields, highly specialized translational reagents and unique mouse models with the objective of fully describing the vascular biology of CDKN2B. This application includes two specific aims which will: 1) Employ novel lineage tracing and cell-specific knockout models to determine how failed efferocytosis signaling regulates pro-atherosclerotic phenotype switching in the developing plaque; and 2) Test the translational utility of a novel high-affinity humanized antibody which may stimulate the removal of necrotic debris and induce atherosclerotic plaque regression. The objective of these studies is to 'reverse translate' the biology of the 9p21 locus and contribute to the field of cardiovascular genetics in the post-GWAS era. Discoveries made in the course of this proposal are intended to support the stated mission of the National Institutes of Health and provide contributions that will lead to the development of new translational therapies for patients with cardiovascular disease.
Scientists do not yet understand how genetic variation causes cardiovascular disease. Recent studies have identified chromosome 9 and the cell-regulating gene, CDKN2B, as possible sources of inherited risk for disease. Understanding how these pathways function might lead to new therapies for heart and blood vessel disorders- currently the leading killers in the United States.
| Wang, Miao; Hao, Huifeng; Leeper, Nicholas J et al. (2018) Thrombotic Regulation From the Endothelial Cell Perspectives. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 38:e90-e95 |
| Kojima, Yoko; Werner, Norna; Ye, Jianqin et al. (2018) Proefferocytic Therapy Promotes Transforming Growth Factor-? Signaling and Prevents Aneurysm Formation. Circulation 137:750-753 |
| Kojima, Yoko; Weissman, Irving L; Leeper, Nicholas J (2017) The Role of Efferocytosis in Atherosclerosis. Circulation 135:476-489 |
| DiRenzo, Daniel; Owens, Gary K; Leeper, Nicholas J (2017) ""Attack of the Clones"": Commonalities Between Cancer and Atherosclerosis. Circ Res 120:624-626 |
| Kojima, Yoko; Volkmer, Jens-Peter; McKenna, Kelly et al. (2016) CD47-blocking antibodies restore phagocytosis and prevent atherosclerosis. Nature 536:86-90 |
| Leeper, Nicholas J (2016) The role of necroptosis in atherosclerotic disease. JACC Basic Transl Sci 1:548-550 |
| Ross, Elsie Gyang; Shah, Nigam H; Dalman, Ronald L et al. (2016) The use of machine learning for the identification of peripheral artery disease and future mortality risk. J Vasc Surg 64:1515-1522.e3 |
| Nanda, Vivek; Downing, Kelly P; Ye, Jianqin et al. (2016) CDKN2B Regulates TGF? Signaling and Smooth Muscle Cell Investment of Hypoxic Neovessels. Circ Res 118:230-40 |
