Research for a better understanding of atherosclerosis, "first killer" in Belgium

Research for a better understanding of atherosclerosis, "first killer" in Belgium

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death in Belgium! This pathology, linked to the progressive narrowing of the arteries with age, is responsible for thrombosis, embolism, myocardial infarction and stroke. These cardiovascular diseases due to atherosclerosis account for up to 45% of all deaths.

Valérie Pireaux recently defended her PhD thesis, performed under the direction of Prof. Martine Raes (Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, UNamur), on the role of macrophages in the formation and evolution of atherosclerotic plaques. Her thesis focused on the effects of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), referred to as "bad cholesterol", on macrophage polarization. Read more