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Welcome to the Vessel Wall Biology Group

Anna Hultgårdh, Professor  Tel: +46 46 2229673 e-mail: Anna.Hultgardh@med.lu.se

The vascular extracellular matrix is a collection of different macromolecules assembled into highly ordered networks closely associated with the vascular cells that produce them. Each component of the extracellular matrix possesses unique characteristics which create the foundation for the different functions within the vessel wall.

Pathological conditions, such as atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty, involves significant and specific changes in the vascular extracellular matrix, where the proteins assemble into a more abundant, but less functional extracellular matrix. The aim of this project is to relate the abundance of specific proteins and proteoglycans to vessel wall function and disease.

Atherosclerotic and restenotic tissue from different mouse models are used to characterize alterations in extracellular matrix composition. We are primarily interested in matrix proteins which possess cell?binding (osteopontin, BSP, COMP) and/or collagen?binding (decorin, biglycan, fibromodulin, chondroadherin, PRELP) capacity.

These proteins and proteoglycans can affect fuctional properties, such as migration and proliferation, of the cells within the vessel wall, as well as being important for stability/instability of the atherosclerotic plaque. Versican and fibulin?1 and 2, which form a network with hyaluronan, are other matrix proteins which we are analyzing. Functional studies of the different matrix components are analyzed in knock out mice lacking expression of specific proteins and bread with atherosclerotic mice.

Functional studies are also carried out in different cell culture systems as well as in an in vivo model where an injury is made to the vessel wall by placing a plastic collar around the carotid artery. Atherosclerotic and restenotic lesions are analyzed morphometrically, as well as by immunohistochemistry.

The identification of expression and functions of matrix proteins/proteoglycans within the vessel wall will give new insight to the degradation/repair processes taking place as a response to vessel wall injury.