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Kies de Nederlandse taal
Course module: BMB509113
BMB509113
Cardiovascular Immunology
Course info
Course codeBMB509113
EC3
Course goals
At the end of the course the student:

1. has acquired knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction;
2. has acquired knowledge of the roles of different cells and functions of the immune system in atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases, e.g. innate and adaptive immune response, complement system, T-cells, foam cells and fat tissue;
3. has learned about the therapeutic possibilities regarding vaccination for atherosclerosis;
4. is able to write a research proposal for a PhD-project in cardiovascular research and describe experiments (including laboratory animal models and lab techniques) to address the proposed research questions;
5. can present and defend a research proposal in front of peers;
6. has an overview of the field of research in cardiovascular immunology at the UMC Utrecht and other Dutch UMC’s.
Content
Period (from – till): 4 June 2018 - 15 June 2018
 
Faculty
Prof. D.P.V. de Kleijn, UMCU, DH&L/Cardiology, lecturer and coordinator
Dr. S.C.A. de Jager, UMCU, DH&L/Cardiology, lecturer and coordinator
Dr. F. van Wijk, UMCU/WKZ/Pediatrics, lecturer
Dr. E. Kalkhoven, PhD/ UMCU/WKZ, BMG, Metabolic and Endocrine Diseases, lecturer
Prof. M. Wauben, UU/eterinary Medicine, Cell Biology, lecturer
Prof. P. Quax, LUMC, Surgery, lecturer
Dr. I. Bot, Leiden Academic Center Drug research, Div. Biopharmaceutics, lecturer
Prof. J. Kuiper, Leiden Academic Center Drug research, Div. Biopharmaceutics, lecturer
Prof. C.E. Hack, UMCU/WKZ, DLA, Immunology, lecturer
Prof. E. Stroes, AMC, Vascular Medicine, lecturer
 
Course description
Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease characterized by the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque in the lumen of the larger arteries. In the year 2004, 33% of the deaths in the Netherlands were caused by cardiovascular diseases mostly by myocardial infarction and stroke, with atherosclerosis as the primary underlying cause. Worldwide, atherosclerosis is been considered as the single leading cause of death nowadays.
Recent research has shown that inflammation plays a key role in coronary artery disease (CAD) and other manifestations of atherosclerosis. Immune cells dominate early atherosclerotic lesions, their effector molecules accelerate progression of the lesions, and activation of inflammation can elicit acute coronary syndromes.
In this course, we focus on the role of the immune system in atherosclerotic disease and manifestations of this disease like myocardial infarction and heart failure.
Special attention will be given to the different types of immune cells and their role in atherosclerosis, plaque rupture and acute coronary syndrome as well as signalling of these cells via for example Toll-like receptors. Also the tuning of the immune system in relation to diabetes and obesity (feeding the immune system) will be discussed.
 
Literature/study material 
Recent reviews and original articles
 
Registration
Apply at least 1 week before start of course via the study guide. The maximum of participants is 40.
 
Mandatory 
BoD students: This course is one of the specific cardiovascular BoD-courses. Additional to the mandatory Kick off course, BoD students should accomplish 12 EC with specific (cardiovascular) BoD courses.

Optional for students in other GSLS Master’s programme:
Yes, for students with cardiovascular focus.

Prerequisite knowledge
Basic knowledge of immunology and cardiac biology.
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Kies de Nederlandse taal