International Collaborations with France
In cooperation with the French National Research Agency (ANR), the FWF offers funding for closely integrated project collaborations between researchers in Austria and France.
Heart attacks and strokes are leading causes of death and disability worldwide. They are most often caused by atherosclerosis — a chronic disease in which fatty deposits build up in the arterial wall, leading to inflammation, vessel narrowing, and ultimately tissue damage. Although cholesterol-lowering and anti-inflammatory treatments have significantly improved cardiovascular outcomes, many individuals remain at risk because the underlying immune processes driving atherosclerosis are not sufficiently controlled. To address this residual risk, new therapies that specifically modulate the immune system are urgently needed.
Our research aims to develop an innovative mRNA-based vaccine designed to prevent and treat atherosclerosis by inducing a protective immune response. Rather than targeting cholesterol levels, this approach focuses on specific molecular structures (atherosclerosis-associated antigens) that are characteristic of diseased blood vessels. By teaching the immune system to recognise these antigens, the vaccine is intended to elicit protective antibodies and beneficial immune cells that can stabilise or even reduce arterial plaque.
We have developed a first-generation mRNA vaccine encoding such atherosclerosis-asscoiated antigens. This technology enables the body’s own cells to produce and display these antigens in a way that activates the immune system, generating a targeted and lasting response. Preliminary studies have shown that this vaccine can induce strong antigen-specific immune reactions, including the formation of antibodies that recognise relevant structures in the vessel wall.
In the next phase, we will test the effects of these mRNA vaccines in established mouse models of atherosclerosis and cardiometabolic disease. We will assess their capacity to prevent plaque formation, slow disease progression, and promote regression of existing lesions. In addition, we will examine how antibody- and cell-mediated mechanisms contribute to the protective effects in order to optimise vaccine efficacy.
This project represents an important step toward developing a vaccine-based strategy for cardiovascular disease prevention. By targeting immune pathways that drive atherosclerosis, this approach could complement existing therapies and provide long-lasting protection against heart attacks and strokes. If successful, it could fundamentally change cardiovascular prevention by addressing the root causes of arterial inflammation and plaque development, opening the door to a new generation of precision immunotherapies against atherosclerosis.
Grant-DOI 10.55776/PIN1428925