Systemic vasculitis

Problem

Vasculitis is a rare disease characterised by chronic inflammation of the blood vessels. The group’s research is targeted at determining the mechanisms involved in perpetuating the inflammation and vascular remodelling, in order to identify therapeutic targets and biomarkers that can be useful in clinical practice.

Approach

The group studies pathogenic pathways related to the development of inflammation and vascular remodelling in samples from patient with vasculitis, using biochemical techniques, cell and molecular biology, both targeted and omics (genomic, proteomic, etc.). Analyses are performed using functional models that include primary cells from patients, co-cultures, adhesion models, migration and angiogenesis and ex vivo 3D cultures. The group also works on describing clinical cohorts through the collection of clinical and imaging data, as well as biological samples and it participates in designing and conducting innovative clinical trials.

Impact

The group has contributed to defining the clinical problems of patients with vasculitis related to chronicity and abnormal vascular remodelling, and to discerning pathogenic pathways. Its members have identified biomarkers predictive of clinical evolution and have contributed to the application and approval of innovative targeted therapies.

The group has developed a functional model for the preclinical analysis of new targeted therapies already used by other researchers and that has attracted interest from different companies. The group’s contributions have been reflected in the most important clinical guides.