Environmental factors and vascular health
Airborne stressors such as ambient air pollution, including particulate matter and allergens not only directly compromise pulmonary health by promoting chronic airway inflammation, bronchial obstruction or airway hyperresponsiveness but also facilitate the development of chronic systemic inflammation that may compromise tissue integrity of other vital organs. While respiratory tract responses to airborne stressors may appear as recognizable consequences, such as sneezing, coughing or wheezing, effects on other tissues may go unnoticed. Particularly, compromised cerebro- and cardiovascular health in response to acute and chronic exposures to airborne stressors highlights the health risks of ambient air pollution also with respect to stroke. However, mechanistic insights into how exposures to airborne stressors contribute to increased occurrence of cerebrovascular events or worsen their outcome are not yet available.
Related Funding
Intramural funding for a cross-disciplinary tandem project, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg – funding since 2024
Related Publications
Malm Tillgren Sofia, Nieto-Fontarigo Juan José, Cerps Samuel, Ramu Sangeetha, Menzel Mandy, Mahmutovic Persson Irma, Meissner Anja, Akbarshahi Hamid, Uller Lena.
C57Bl/6N mice have an attenuated lung inflammatory response to dsRNA compared to C57Bl/6J and BALB/c mice.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12950-023-00331-4
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Sex-specific cardiovascular consequences of high dietary salt intake
According to the World Health Organization, most people consume too much salt - on average 9–12 grams per day, which is around twice the recommended maximum level of intake. Excess dietary sodium has been linked to elevations in blood pressure, and recent pre-clinical and clinical data support that even in the absence of an increase in blood pressure, excess dietary salt can adversely affect target organs, including the blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and brain.
Notably, epidemiological studies have suggested sex-specific differences, with a higher prevalence of salt sensitivity observed in women compared to men. However, knowledge of salt-sensitive mechanisms is largely restricted to males, while female-specific studies on the topic are scarce.
Related Funding
Albert Påhlsson Stiftelse: Sex-specific cardiovascular consequences of high in dietary salt consumption - funding period 2022 – 2025
Crafoordska Stiftelse: Preclinical MR imaging of neurological and cardiovascular diseases (together with Lund University Bioimaging Centre) - funding period 2025 – 2026
Related Publications
Meissner Anja, Garcia-Serrano Alba M., Vanherle Lotte, Rafiee Zeinab, Don-Doncow Nicholas, Skoug Cecilia, Larsson Sara, Gottschalk Michael, Magnusson Martin, Duarte João M. N..
Alterations to cerebral perfusion, metabolite profiles, and neuronal morphology in the hippocampus and cortex of male and female mice during chronic exposure to a high-salt diet.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24010300
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Don-Doncow Nicholas, Vanherle Lotte, Zhang Yun, Meissner Anja.
T-Cell accumulation in the hypertensive brain: a role for sphingosine-1-phosphate-mediated chemotaxis.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20030537
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Meissner Anja.
Hypertension and the brain: a risk factor for more than heart disease.
https://doi.org/10.1159/000446082
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Meissner Anja, Minnerup Jens, Soria Guadalupe, Planas Anna M.
Structural and functional brain alterations in a murine model of Angiotensin II-induced hypertension.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.13905
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Effect of high diet on brain function
Cardiovascular risk factor often arise as a result of a combination of unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle and have negative effects on the brain vasculature, brain metabolism and brain function in general. Moreover, they not only increase the risk of acute cerebrovascular event, such as stroke, but also affect their outcomes.
Related Publications
Skoug Cecilia, Erdogan Hüseyin, Vanherle Lotte, Vieira João P. P., Matthes Frank, Eliasson Lena, Meissner Anja, Duarte João M. N..
Density of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors is altered in cortical nerve-terminals of insulin-resistant Goto-Kakizaki rats and diet-induced obese mice.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-023-04033-4
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Jujic Amra, Vieira João P. P., Matuskova Hana, Nilsson Peter M., Lindblad Ulf, Olsen Michael H., Duarte João M. N., Meissner Anja, Magnusson Martin.
Plasma galectin-4 levels are increased after stroke in mice and humans.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241210064
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Effects of the Incretin system on the cardiovascular system
Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) regulate islet function, nutrient absorption, appetite, and energy homeostasis, making them potential diabetes treatments. G-protein coupled receptors for these peptides are also expressed in the cardiovascular system, sparking interest in their relevance to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Most research has focused on GLP-1, with clinical trials showing its benefits beyond blood glucose control. However, with increasing use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, which elevate both GLP-1 and GIP levels, understanding GIP's cardiovascular effects is crucial. DPP-4 inhibitors have been linked to increased heart failure risk in some patients. The newest dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists heighten the need to understand GIP's potential adverse effects on CVD.
Related Funding
Vetenskapsrâdet: Inkretinsystemets inverkan på hjärt-kärlsjukdom och cancer - funding period 2023 - 2026