Targeting CD36 cell surface receptor to treat macrophage-induced chronic inflammation

Chronic inflammation is the common denominator for various diseases, including atherosclerosis, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), obesity, type-2 diabetes, liver diseases and even cancers. In most cases, this inflammation is the result of massive pro-inflammatory macrophage infiltration in tissues, due to their aberrant signalling and dysfunction, in presence of fat accumulation. The CD36 scavenger receptor has been shown to be key player in inflammation, with its TLR2 co-receptor. Combined fat accumulation and formation of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) activate TLR2 receptor through the binding of oxLDL to CD36, and triggers the disproportional recruitment of pro-inflammatory macrophages causing the inflammation. The project aims to better understand the role of azapeptides with high CD36 affinity binding in the treatment of inflammation conditions.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sylvain Chemtob

Student:

Ragnhild Ohm

Partner:

Mperia Therapeutics Inc

Discipline:

Medicine

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

Program: