LATEST NEWS FROM THE LAB

• Epigenetic mechanisms in vascular biology.

The transcriptional landscape of every cell is shaped by multiple layers of epigenetic control. They range from the regulation of chromatin accessibility by DNA methylation and histone modifications to post-transcriptional repression of RNA transcripts by microRNAs. These epigenetic mechanisms often act in concert and are regulated in homeostasis and disease conditions within cells of the arterial vessel wall. We aim to investigate the cross-talk between different epigenetic layers of control (particularly, histone modification and non-coding RNAs) in vascular cells (e.g., endothelial and smooth muscle cells) and to define their contribution to cell-to-cell communication with immune cells in atherosclerosis.

• Role of autophagy in cardiovascular disease.

Autophagy is a crucial mechanism for cell homeostasis and resilience during environmental conditions, such as nutrient deprivation or several pathological stimuli. Classically believed as a catabolic process for bulk recycling of dysfunctional intracellular components, autophagy now emerges as a coordinated adaptive response also featuring non-degradative functions to preserve cell viability and genomic stability in response to different stressors. Stimuli relevant to cardiovascular biology (e.g., shear stress, hypoxia, lipoproteins) affect the activity of autophagy which features cell-specific adaptive roles in preserving vascular homeostasis. We aim to investigate the role of autophagy in cell types involved in atherosclerosis to identify its contribution to disease development and progression.

We are pleased to contribute to the education of students at different stages of their academic journey.

• Master students from Human Biology Master Program at LMU

We are always looking for motivated master, MD or PhD students and postdoctoral guest scientists who want to join our lab

Just send an email with your CV, references and motivation letter to: donato.santovito@med.lmu.de

Santovito D, Henderson JM, Bidzhekov K, Triantafyllidou V, Jansen Y, Chen Z, Farina FM, Diagel A, Aslani M, Blanchet X, Schunkert H, Megens RTA, Döring Y, Sattler M, Weber C. Mex3a Protects Against Atherosclerosis: Evidence From Mice and Humans. Circulation 2024 

Cimen I, Natarelli L, Kichi ZA, Henderson JM, Farina FM, Briem E, Aslani M, Megens RTA, Jansen Y, Mann-Fallenbuchel E, Gencer S, Duchêne J, Nazari-Jahantigh M, van der Vorst EPC, Enard W, Döring Y, Schober A, Santovito D, Weber C. Targeting a cell-specific microRNA repressor of CXCR4 ameliorates atherosclerosis in mice. Sci Transl Med. 2023

Farina FM, Weber C, Santovito D. The emerging landscape of non-conventional RNA functions in atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis. 2023

Santovito D, Weber C. Non-canonical features of microRNAs: paradigms emerging from cardiovascular disease. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2022

Santovito D, Toto L, De Nardis V, Marcantonio P, D’Aloisio R, Mastropasqua A, De Cesare D, Bucci M, Paganelli C, Natarelli L, Weber C, Consoli A, Mastropasqua R, Cipollone F. Plasma microRNA signature associated with retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes. Sci Rep. 2021

Henderson JM, Weber C, Santovito D. Beyond self-recycling: cell-specific role of autophagy in atherosclerosis. Cells. 2021

Santovito D, Egea V, Bidzhekov K, Natarelli L, Mourão A, Blanchet X, Wichapong K, Aslani M, Brunßen C, Horckmans M, Hristov M, Geerlof A, Lutgens E, Daemen MJAP, Hackeng T, Ries C, Chavakis T, Morawietz H, Naumann R, von Hundelshausen P, Steffens S, Duchêne J, Megens RTA, Sattler M, Weber C. Noncanonical inhibition of caspase-3 by a nuclear microRNA confers endothelial protection by autophagy in atherosclerosis. Sci Transl Med. 2020

Santovito D, Marcantonio P, Mastroiacovo D, Natarelli L, Mandolini C, De Nardis V, Paganelli C, De Cesare D, Affaitati G, Giamberardino MA, Stellin L, Pinelli M, Weber C, De Blasis G, Occhiuzzi U, Bucci M, Desideri G, Cipollone F. High dose rosuvastatin increases ABCA1 transporter in human atherosclerotic plaques in a cholesterol-independent fashion. Int J Cardiol. 2020

Santovito D, De Nardis V, Marcantonio P, Mandolini C, Paganelli C, Vitale E, Buttitta F, Bucci M, Mezzetti A, Consoli A, Cipollone F. Plasma Exosome MicroRNA Profiling Unravels a New Potential Modulator of Adiponectin Pathway in Diabetes: Effect of Glycemic Control. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014