Vascular Biology and Inflammation

Our established multi-disciplinary research theme is focused on the multifaceted biology of endothelial cells. This includes their roles in inflammation and the formation of new vessels, both of which play critical roles in the pathogenesis of a range of diseases as diverse as atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.

Theme Leads

Professor Asif Iqbal
Professor of Inflammation Biology
Staff profile of Dr Asif Iqbal, Professor of Inflammation Biology, at Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham
Dr Ingrid Dumitriu
Reader in Cardiovascular Immunology
Staff profile of Dr Ingrid Dumitriu, Reader in Cardiovascular Immunology at the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences.

Department of Cardiovascular Sciences Research Themes: Vascular Biology and Inflammation

Introduction to the Vascular Biology and Inflammation research theme at the Department (formerly Institute) of Cardiovascular Sciences

Introduction to the Vascular Biology and Inflammation research theme at the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences

Transcript

Dr Asif Iqbal: Hello, I'm Dr Asif Iqbal, and together with my colleague Dr Ingrid Dumitriu, we lead the Vascular Biology and Inflammation Research Team in the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences.

Dr Ingrid Dumitriu: The Vascular Biology and Inflammation Research Team includes several research groups bringing together experienced clinical and non-clinical academics with multidisciplinary expertise in: cellular molecular approaches, pre-clinical in vivo and in vitro disease models, translational science, and computational modelling.

Dr Asif Iqbal: Our world leading researchers use basic research and translational approaches to identify novel molecules and pathways associated with a range of cardiovascular diseases, including: atherosclerosis, ischemia, myocardial infarction, and angiogenesis. The ultimate aim of our research is to develop a range of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to improve the current management and outcomes of patients.

Dr Ingrid Dumitriu: Through Birmingham Health Partners, we work closely with the major NHS trusts across Birmingham, including University Hospitals Birmingham and Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust. This enhances and accelerates translational research findings into diagnostics and treatments for patients. We have access to state-of-the-art research facilities, including intravital microscopy, live cell imaging, and flow-based migration assays.

Dr Asif Iqbal: We are proud to be part of the Vascular Biology and Inflammation research theme in the Institute, and to work closely with our colleagues on research that can improve the lives of our patients in Birmingham, the UK, and around the world.

About our theme

Our world leading research into acute physiological inflammation and chronic inflammatory diseases has changed the way we understand the inflammatory process. It has also led to the discovery of novel tumour endothelial targets and the development of novel anti-cancer agents.

A core theme of our research determines how circulating white blood cells are recruited to inflamed tissues. We continue to identify new paradigms of leukocyte trafficking, having recently established new anti-inflammatory roles for dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) which control the migration of neutrophils and T-cells. The role of tissue cells in regulating inflammation is also an extremely active area of research where our science is greatly aided by a new state of the art facility for imaging leukocyte trafficking into live tissues.

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels is a key component of many pathologies including cancer, atherosclerosis and arthritis. We have for many years studied differential gene expression in vessels of pathologic tissue such as tumour vessels compared to those in healthy tissue.

A corner stone of our scientific effort is the translation of our innovative science into the clinic for the benefit of patients. The localisation of stem cells and their therapeutic affects in cardiovascular inflammation is being investigated in a new model of the beating heart.

The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences is also the academic base for two University Spinout Companies. Chimeric Therapeutics Ltd, which is developing new therapies employing T cells against CLEC14A on the vessels in solid tumours, and Viatem Ltd, which is undertaking an R&D programme to develop new anti-inflammatory drugs from the PEPITEM peptide.

Our Principal Investigators

Principal Investigators

Professor Roy Bicknell
Angiogenesis and tumour vascular targeted immunotherapy

Professor Dirk-Peter Herten
Molecular level signalling of inflammation and thrombo-inflammation

Professor Asif Iqbal
Disease mechanisms in acute and chronic inflammation

Professor Melanie Madhani
Identifying Novel Targets and Interventions for Hypertension; Myocardial Infarction and Heart Failure

Professor Ed Rainger
Resolution of inflammation and thrombo-inflammation

Dr Alexander Brill
Mechanisms of venous thrombosis and interplay between thrombosis and inflammation

Dr Ingrid Dumitriu
Targeting inflammation in cardiovascular disease - focus on atherosclerosis and atrial fibrillation

Dr James Guggenheim
Imaging the vasculature using photoacoustic and coherent optics techniques

Dr Victoria Heath
Molecular regulation of blood vessel formation

Dr Peter Hewett
Regulation of endothelial genes (e.g. VEGF/VEGFRs) which play fundamental role in vascular homeostasis/remodelling and responses to shear stress. How these are perturbed in pathologies including diabetes, atherosclerosis and preeclampsia

Dr Neena Kalia
Role of the coronary microcirculation in myocardial infarction

Dr Julie Rayes
Understanding mechanisms of thromboinflammation in sterile and infectious conditions. In particular, I am interested in danger-associated molecular patterns effect on platelet and how it regulates its interaction with immune and endothelial cells

Honorary Principal Investigators

Dr Gillian Lowe
Inherited platelet disorders

Associate/Affiliate Principal Investigators

Professor Georgios Gkoutos
Health Data Science, Bioinformatics, Artificial Intelligence for Health, Multmodal multiomics integrative analytics, Translational comparative phenomics, Precision Medicine

Professor Claudio Mauro
Interconnections between metabolic and inflammatory pathways

Dr Keith Brain
Autonomic cardiovascular regulation

Dr Paul Harrison
Platelets; Neutrophils; Extracellular Vesicles; Trauma and Burns

Dr Patricia Lalor (Trish)
Human liver inflammation and fibrosis; endothelial and platelet biology and impact of these on inflammation

Dr Sam Lucas
Regulation of cerebral blood flow; optimising interventions for improved vascular health

Dr Helen McGettrick
Endothelial responses and control of immune cell movement across blood vessels

Dr Mike Tomlinson
Tetraspanins and associated membrane proteins