New Research Paves the Way for a Unique Approach to Combat the Root of Heart Disease that Acclerates the Build up of Fats, Cholesterol, and Other Substances In and On the Artery Walls

Cholesterol, an essential fatty substance in the bloodstream, is vital for various bodily functions.

However, an excessive amount of cholesterol elevates the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular diseases, quietly manifesting as an epidemic in Western societies.

The primary culprits behind high cholesterol are often associated with poor dietary choices, obesity, and high blood pressure.

While moderate alcohol consumption may enhance “good” cholesterol, stress can elevate the production of “bad” cholesterol.

Additionally, high cholesterol can have a hereditary component.

High cholesterol, along with elevated triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, and the consumption of saturated fats, collectively contribute to atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases, which remains the top global cause of death and disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Recent groundbreaking research conducted by the University of Minnesota Medical School has uncovered a novel pathway for combating cardiovascular disease.

This study, published in Nature Cardiovascular Research, reveals TREM2 as a unique and promising avenue for atherosclerosis treatment, a condition characterized by the accumulation of plaque within arteries.

Jesse Williams, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the U of M Medical School, lauded the study, stating, “This is a highly impactful study that may inform future approaches to treat atherosclerosis.

“Current approaches almost exclusively target lowering LDL cholesterol, but we’ve known for decades that inflammation also contributes to atherosclerotic plaque build-up in the arteries. This study reveals a new pathway for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.”

In their research using preclinical models of atherosclerosis, the team discovered that the removal of the TREM2 gene in macrophages, crucial immune system white blood cells, significantly inhibited the disease’s progression.

They also observed that targeted deletion of the TREM2 pathways effectively reduced pre-existing atherosclerotic disease, making TREM2 a potential target for future immunotherapeutic studies in cardiovascular disease risk.

This ongoing research will continue in collaboration with Alector, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, to conduct preclinical testing of TREM2-targeted antibodies aimed at halting the advancement of atherosclerosis.

The study was funded by the American Heart Association, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

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