Research summary
The lymphatic system is a critical part of the human body’s immune and circulatory systems, contributing to fluid balance, immune cell transport, waste removal and immune defenses. Dr. Catherine Martel has proposed that better control of lymphatic function early enough in a disease could limit the development of atherosclerosis (the narrowing and hardening of arteries). Now, as Canada Research Chair in Lymphatics and Cardiovascular Medicine, Martel is exploring the connections between abnormal lymphatic function and atherosclerosis.
She and her research team are studying lymphatic function in patients with (or at risk for) coronary artery disease. Early research suggests that small vesicles released from the activated cells involved in lymphatic function could explain the link between lymphatic dysfunction and atherosclerosis. To understand this, the team is studying the effects of circulating extracellular vesicles on the inner lining of the lymphatic vessels (the lymphatic endothelium). Ultimately, their findings could help prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases.