Unravelling the role of cellular microvesicles on lymphatic vessel function

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Atherosclerosis is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in Canada. It is driven by the accumulation of cholesterol and inflammatory cells in the blood vessel (artery) wall that build up what is called a "plaque". Much effort has been directed at increasing circulating levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, or "good cholesterol") to decrease plaque size and consequently, prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, raising plasma levels of HDL-C has met with disappointing clinical outcomes, suggesting that this strategy may not lead to an increased cholesterol mobilization capacity or prevent CAD. As there is an urge to better understand the cholesterol clearance process, beyond the transition of cholesterol onto cholesterol acceptors such as HDL, collaborators and I have focused on the