Online PhD defence Baixue Yu

Keywords: Adventitial fibroblasts, Aging, Atherosclerosis, Cardiovascular disease

"Fibroblast identify and function in atherosclerosis and aging"

Heart and blood vessel diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. In this thesis, we studied a special group of cells called fibroblasts, which help support and maintain blood vessels. Using advanced techniques to analyze thousands of individual cells, we discovered that these fibroblasts are more diverse and active than previously thought. We found that most fibroblasts in atherosclerosis (build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries) come from existing cells rather than changing from other cell types. We also showed that aging changes how these cells behave, making them less able to repair tissue and more likely to contribute to stiffness in the vessel wall. Certain key genes were identified that control these aging effects. Finally, we discovered that a protein called DPEP1 plays a protective role in regulating blood pressure. Loss of this protein can lead to higher blood pressure and impaired vessel function. Overall, this work improves our understanding of fibroblast identity and function in blood vessels during disease and aging.

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