A recent study by researchers from Fudan University and Tau Cambridge Ltd. explored a novel therapeutic strategy that combines targeting CD47 with ANGPTL3, a key regulator of lipid metabolism, as a potential treatment for atherosclerosis.
Repair Biotechnologies Inc. and Genevant Sciences Corp. have entered into a collaboration and nonexclusive license agreement to combine Repair’s Cholesterol Degrading Platform (CDP) mRNA technology with Genevant’s proprietary lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology in the development of a potential novel treatment for atherosclerosis.
Scientists from the Cardiovascular Research Center at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and Astrazeneca plc have developed a new mouse model of cardiovascular disease associated with genetic variations of cholesterol metabolism. The animal allows in vivo studies of myocardial infarction, plaque rupture and stroke.
The valosin-containing protein (VCP) modulator KUS-121 from Kyoto University is in phase II development as an intravitreal treatment for nonarteritic central retinal artery occlusion, but its efficacy in atherosclerosis is unknown.
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type-9 (PCSK9) is highly expressed in adult hepatocytes. PCSK9 binds to and promotes the degradation of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, thereby increasing LDL cholesterol levels. PCSK9 inhibition has emerged as a promising strategy for cardiovascular diseases. However, it is still unclear whether PCSK9 can trigger blood vessel inflammation directly modulating monocytes or endothelial cells independently of LDL receptor.
Repair Biotechnologies Inc. has reported new data showing that its lipid nanoparticle (LNP)/messenger RNA (mRNA) therapy rapidly reversed the progression of atherosclerosis in mouse models applicable to familial hypercholesterolemia as well as atherosclerosis in the broader population.
Max Biopharma Inc. and Metaba LLC are collaborating to study the effects of oxysterol drug candidates that target metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, formerly nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, chronic inflammation, and atherosclerosis on metabolic processes.
Atherosclerosis occurs in arterial regions with disturbed blood flow, where endothelial cells are exposed to stress, thus activating proatherogenic signals that promote endothelial dysfunction and reprogramming, among others. Researchers have identified heart development protein with EGF like domains 1 (HEG1) as a flow-sensitive gene in murine artery endothelial cells.
Bitterroot Bio Inc. presented data on an anti-CD47 hybrid protein, BRB-002, tested in a murine model of atherosclerosis. BRB-002 was tested at 2.5 or 10 mg/kg i.p. 3x/week after a high-fat diet. Firstly, BRB-002 was seen to bind CD47 with high affinity in several cell lines, but not in Jurkat CD47-knockout cells.
