Hormones in cardiovascular diseases
Our research group investigates the complex relationships between metabolic regulation and cardiovascular health. We focus in particular on the hormones amylin and incretin hormones, which play a central role in regulating blood sugar levels. We are investigating how these hormones influence glucose metabolism and how they may contribute to the development or prevention of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Amylin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. We are investigating its physiological function and pathological influence in order to better understand its role in glucose homeostasis and thus be able to model its influence on pathological processes. In particular, we are investigating the interaction between amylin and incretin hormones. We analyze the mechanisms by which metabolic diseases lead to damage to blood vessels and the heart, in particular the development and progression of arteriosclerosis and heart failure in diabetics.
Our work provides the basis for the development of new treatment strategies, in particular through the targeted use of hormonal agents or substitutes for the prevention of cardiovascular complications in diabetes. In our research, we combine molecular biological methods, preclinical models, and clinical data to gain a deeper understanding of the pathophysiological relationships between hormone action, metabolic diseases, and cardiovascular health.
Selected publications:
- Casagrande V, Panarello L, Lepri A, Quatrana A, Internò C, Antonetti L, Bonanno E, Cicalini I, Pieragostino D, Gorgels A, De Laurenzi V, Goettsch C, Cardellini M, Federici M, Menghini R. Effect of 3-hydroxyisobutyrate in vivo administration on cardiometabolic disease in ApoE-/- mouse model. Pharmacol Res. 2025 Sep 8;220:107943. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2025.107943. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40930330.
- Heyn J, Gorgels A, Hense N, Gombert A, Buhl EM, Stark L, Vondenhoff S, Simon J, Noels H, Marx N, Goettsch C. GRP75 inhibition attenuates arterial calcification. Atherosclerosis. 2025 May 15:119243. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2025.119243. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40410081.
- Dzhanaev R, Hasberg C, Gorgels A, Schmitz C, Winkler CF, Malyaran H, Gräber S, Gentier A, Jaminon A, Agten S, Hackeng T, Akbulut AC, Schurgers L, Mottaghy FM, Goettsch C, Jahnen-Dechent W. Application of the mineral-binding protein fetuin-A for the detection of calcified lesions. Theranostics. 2023; 13(2):659-672. doi:10.7150/thno.78773
- Koeppert S, Ghallab A, Peglow S, Winkler CF, Graeber S, Büscher A, Hengstler JG, Jahnen-Dechent W. Live Imaging of Calciprotein Particle Clearance and Receptor Mediated Uptake: Role of Calciprotein Monomers. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021;9:633925. doi:10.3389/fcell.2021.633925
- Babler, A, Schmitz, C, Buescher, A, Herrmann, M, Gremse, F, Gorgels, T, Floege, J & Jahnen-Dechent, W. Microvasculopathy and soft tissue calcification in mice are governed by fetuin-A, magnesium and pyrophosphate. PLoS One. 2020; 15(2):e0228938. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0228938
- Jahnen-Dechent W, Büscher A, Köppert S, Heiss A, Kuro-O M, Smith ER. Mud in the blood: the role of protein-mineral complexes and extracellular vesicles in biomineralisation and calcification. J Struct Biol. 2020;212(1):107577. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2020.107577
- Koeppert S*, Büscher A*, Babler A, Ghallab A, Buhl EM, Latz E, Hengstler JG, Smith ER and Jahnen-Dechent W. Cellular clearance and biological activity of calciprotein particles depend on their maturation state and crystallinity. Frontiers Immunol. 2018;9:1991. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01991
* equal contribution - Herrmann M, Schäfer C, Heiss A, Gräber S, Kinkeldey A, Büscher A, Schmitt MMN, Bornemann J, Nimmerjahn F, Herrmann M, Helming L, Gordon S and Jahnen-Dechent W. Clearance of fetuin-A--containing calciprotein particles is mediated by scavenger receptor-A. Circ Res. 2012;111(5):575-84. doi: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.111.261479
