Researchers Convene to Explore Role of Inflammation, Immune Response in Cardiovascular Disease

Newswise — Westminster, Colo. (August 22, 2016)—Unveiling the causes of and contributors to cardiovascular disease (CVD)—the No. 1 killer of people in the U.S.—is high priority for scientists, clinicians and public health professionals. More and more research points to the involvement of inflammation and the immune system on the development of CVD. Cardiovascular physiologists and immunologists will meet to explore how these mechanisms interact at the Inflammation, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease conference in Westminster, Colo., on Aug. 24–27, 2016.

“In the last 10 years or so, it’s become apparent that immune cells and inflammatory cells contribute to a variety of different cardiovascular diseases,” said conference organizer David Harrison, PhD, of Vanderbilt University in Nashville. “Most physiologists and researchers didn’t learn a lot of immunology or a lot of the concepts have evolved since most of us went through our training.”

The conference will offer cardiovascular scientists basic instruction in the biology of the immune system and inflammation along with an essential update on cutting-edge research into how these systems influence cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology. “Our hope is that the conference will also allow researchers from different research backgrounds to forge connections that can lead to breakthroughs in cardiovascular science,” Harrison added.

Conference papers will be published in the American Journal of Physiology–Heart and Circulatory Physiology.

Program HighlightsWednesday, August 24Plenary 1: The Endothelium and Vascular ImmunitySpeaker: Jordan Pober, Yale University

Thursday, August 25Symposia I: Basic Aspects of Innate Immune Cells Chairs: Cornelia Weyand, Stanford University and Tomasz Guzik, University of Glasgow, UK

Symposia II: Basic Aspects of T Cells Chair: Jorg Goronzy, Stanford University

Symposia III: Basic Aspects of B Cells Chair: Amy Major, Vanderbilt University

Symposia IV: Basic Aspects of Vascular Cells with Immune Function Chair: Meena Madhur, Vanderbilt University

Friday, August 26Symposia V: CV Disease in Inflammatory and Autoimmune Disease Chair: Mike Ryan, University of Mississippi Medical Center

Symposia VI: Inflammation and Hypertension during Pregnancy and Gender DifferencesChair: Kathryn Sandberg, Georgetown University

Symposia VII: Inflammation, Immunity, Intestinal Flora and the Metabolic Syndrome Chair: Sean Davies, Vanderbilt University

Saturday, August 27Symposia VIII: Inflammation, Hypertension, and End-Organ Damage Chairs: David Mattson, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and Jens Titze, Vanderbilt University

Symposia IX: Inflammation and Atherosclerosis Chair: Elena Galkina, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: The Inflammation, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease conference will be held in Westminster, Colo., from August 24 through 27, 2016. To schedule an interview with the conference organizers or presenters, contact the APS Communications Office or 301-634-7209. Find more research highlights in the APS Press Room.

Physiology is the study of how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function in health and disease. Established in 1887, the American Physiological Society (APS) was the first U.S. society in the biomedical sciences field. The Society represents more than 11,000 members and publishes 14 peer-reviewed journals with a worldwide readership.