Role of angiotensin-(1-7) in cellular and molecular mechanisms of neural control of inflammation and metabolism in cardiovascular disease

• Grant number: 23/13051-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: May 31, 2024
• End date: February 10, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing - Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Evelin Capellari Cárnio
• Grantee: Hadder Batista Silva
• Supervisor: Peder S. Olofsson
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto (EERP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/05371-3 - Anti-inflammatory action of angiotensin-(1-7) on cardiovascular complications induced by experimental Sepsis, BP.DD

Abstract

Angiotensin-(1-7) has demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory effects in cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis. Excessive inflammation contributes to the development and progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Clinical trials have shown that therapeutic reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines can decrease adverse cardiovascular events. While neural signals have been implicated in the regulation of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk, the neural regulation of inflammation in atherosclerosis has been largely overlooked until recently, primarily due to the lack of direct innervation in atherosclerotic plaques. However, a recent study by partners of the "Plaquefight consortium," including Peder Olofsson’s group at Karolinska Institute, revealed that not only are atherosclerotic arteries innervated, but neuroimmune cardiovascular interfaces also play a role in the control of atherosclerosis. This research program aims to investigate how neural signals regulate the onset and progression of atherosclerosis through the study of animal models and patient samples. One of the main objectives is to map the anatomy and function of arterial innervation in atherosclerosis initiation. Additionally, the program aims to explore the mechanisms by which the inflammatory reflex, specifically through signals in the vagus nerve, in conjunction with Angiotensin-(1-7), regulate inflammation in cardiovascular diseases. This research program has the potential to provide valuable information on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, as well as on the role of Angiotensin-(1-7) and the inflammatory reflex in inflammatory cardiovascular diseases. The results can help in understanding the pathogenesis of inflammation via stimulation of the vagus nerve and, in the future, the knowledge acquired during the internship abroad will be implemented with the use of vagal stimulation to attenuate systemic inflammation in studies with sepsis, with the research team at Karolinska Institute as a permanent collaborator of the University of São Paulo. (AU)