Member SpotlightsUnraveling the Plasticity of Macrophages in Atherogenesis Dr. Stefan Lorkowski   1. What is your professional title and what degree(s) do you hold? • Associate Professor in Nutritional Biochemistry • Habilitation and venia legendi in Biochemistry and Cell Biology • PhD in Biochemistry • Diploma in Chemistry (German equivalent of Master in Chemistry) 2. Please explain what your organization/institution does (including department and any important distinctions about it)? Research at the Institute of Nutrition at the Friedrich Schiller University is aimed at unraveling the molecular basis of aging and molecular processes causing age- and diet-related diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and atherosclerosis. The research groups at this institute are involved in the study of different aspects for the diagnosis, cure and prevention of age-related diseases. In this respect a special focus is set at the role of vitamins, fatty acids, antioxidants, dietary fibers and metabolites for preventing and curing age- and diet-related changes in metabolism. My department of Nutritional Biochemistry at the Institute of Nutrition investigates the molecular origin of atherosclerosis and its complications (e.g. myocardial infarction and stroke). At the focus of our interest are macrophages, the phagocytic cells of the immune system, and their contribution to the progression and outcome of atherosclerosis. The regulation of macrophage activation by pharmacological measures, food components and their interaction with neighboring cells is of particular interest. Our research is finally aimed at identifying novel approaches to prevent myocardial infarction and stroke. 3. Please elaborate on your educational background (i.e., schools attended and field of study pursued)? • 2008: Associate Professor for Nutritional Biochemistry of Nutrition Institute of Nutrition Sciences, University of Jena, Germany Working on macrophage activation and plasticity in atherosclerosis, dietary modulation of atherogenesis • 2006: Postdoctoral lecture qualification (Habilitation) and venia legendi in Biochemistry and Cell Biology University of Münster, Germany • 2003-2008: Head of research group Leibniz Institute of Arteriosclerosis Research Münster Working on macrophage activation and plasticity in atherosclerosis • 2001-2003: Postdoctoral fellow Leibniz Institute of Arteriosclerosis Research Münster Working on macrophage activation and plasticity in atherosclerosis • 2001: Doctoral degree (PhD) in Biochemistry Westphalian Wilhelms University Münster • 1997-2001: PhD studentship Institute of Arterio¬scle¬ro¬sis Research, Münster Working on macrophage foam cell formation during atherogenesis • 1997: German Master of Science equivalent in Chemistry (Diplom-Chemiker) Westphalian Wilhelms University Münster • 1995: German Bachelor equivalent in Chemistry (Vordiplom) Westphalian Wilhelms University Münster • 1992-1997: Studies in Chemistry and Biochemistry Westphalian Wilhelms University Münster 4. Please elaborate on your professional background (i.e., other organizations/institutions you have worked for, awards, honors, etc.)? Institutions worked for • Since 03/2008 Institute of Nutritional Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany • 09/1997 - 02/2008 (Leibniz) Institute of Arteriosclerosis Research, Münster, Germany Honours and Awards 2009 Fellow of the Society of Biology 2007 Sibylle Hahne Prize for Science, Medicine and Technology, Sibylle-Hahne-Stiftung 2004 European Chemist, German Chemical Society 2004 Chartered Scientist, UK Science Council 2003 Chartered Chemist, Royal Society of Chemistry 2002 IUPAC Prize for Young Chemists for the best Ph.D. thesis, International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry 2001 E. Betz Award for Arteriosclerosis Research, German Society of Arteriosclerosis Research 2001 Clinical Biologist, Society for Clinical Biology and Bioanalytics 2001 Chartered Biologist, Society of Biology Professional Memberships I am member of various professional societies: • European Macrophage and Dendritic Cell Society • German Chemical Society • German Infarction Research Aid • German Life Sciences Association • German Nutrition Society • German Society for Cell Biology • German Society of Arteriosclerosis Research • Royal Society of Chemistry • Society of German Natural Scientists and Physicians • Society of Biology • Society of Leukocyte Biology • Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Serving in Professional Memberships • Treasurer and Member of Executive Board, German Society of Arteriosclerosis Research • President, German Infarction Research Aid • Member of Scientific Executive Committee, German Nutrition Society 5. What are your academic and professional interests (i.e., description of your research projects, committees you serve on, etc)? My research is focused on macrophage biology and the understanding of mechanisms that underlie the contribution of macrophages to the progression and stability of atherosclerotic plaques. A major focus of my work is macrophage foam cell formation, in particular the formation and degradation of lipid droplets as well as the mechanisms of cellular lipid uptake and export. Another major research topic of my group is to investigate the plasticity of macrophages and the ability of monocytes and macrophages to contribute actively to extracellular matrix remodeling by means of producing proteases as well as extracellular matrix components. The aim of my work is to develop new approaches for better understanding atherogenesis and for preventing atherosclerosis and its complications by means of dietary and drug intervention. In particular, I want to understand how monocytes and macrophages are activated depending on the dietary and (patho)physiological state of the body. My hypothesis is that the state of macrophage activation is responsible for the progression and outcome of atherosclerosis. For example, classically activated macrophages produce a large number of proteases which contribute to plaque destabilization by means of degradation of the extracellular matrix covering and stabilizing lipid-rich atherosclerotic plaques. Such unstable plaques tend to rupture, thus activating clotting cascade and causing occlusion of arteries. Furthermore, the pro-inflammatory phenotype of classically activated macrophages triggers plaque growth. By contrast, alternatively activated and deactivated macrophages exhibit an anti-inflammatory character, show reduced proteolytic activity and, as shown by my own group, have the ability to produce proteins of the extracellular matrix. This little known and non-characterized ability of macrophages may be a characteristic of a macrophage activation mode which contributes actively to wound healing and tissue regeneration. It is of note, that – beside cytokines – food ingredients such as fatty acids and bioactive secondary plant compounds are able to modulate macrophage activation, too. Food ingredients are therefore, similar to drugs, key targets for modulating the progression of atherosclerosis by means of modulating macrophage activation. My particular interest is to identify and characterize the mediators (i.e. cytokines, food ingredients and metabolites, as well as drugs and other small molecules) and signaling cascades involved in monocyte and macrophage activation. An important aim is to develop suitable genetically modified macrophage cell culture models and mouse models that allow for standardized whole genome analyses of expression and signaling. Using these models I want to develop a systems biological approach in which physiological and disease processes involving macrophages are connected with the genes that underlie them and drugs, food ingredients or natural compounds that treat them. A reference compendium of macrophage signatures that attempts to describe all biological states of this cell may have the potential to reveal hidden connections among food ingredients, metabolites, drugs, genes and diseases in which macrophages are involved. To sum up, my aim is to understand the role of macrophage plasticity in tissue regeneration and extracellular matrix remodeling using both in vitro and in vivo model systems with a particular focus on atherosclerosis and its complications. 6. What are some of your outside interests (i.e., sports you enjoy, hobbies, outside activities, etc.)? My outside interests are focused on family, going in for sports (athletics, soccer, badminton), reading and listening to audiobooks. 7. Please describe your motivations as to why you wanted to go into the scientific field -- what were your motivations or inspirations? I love to be a scientist because it gives me the chance to understand the fascinating complexity of the molecular processes of life. ### << Previous Next >> [ View All Member Spotlights ] |
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