Publications by authors named "Stoyan Ivanov"

Macrophages are innate immune cells present in all tissues, in which they participate in immune responses and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. They develop either from embryonic precursors or from circulating monocytes, and their functions are in part dictated by their origin. We previously observed robust monocyte recruitment and contribution to the macrophage pool in brown adipose tissue.

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The past 15 years have witnessed a leap in understanding the life cycle, gene expression profiles, origins and functions of mouse macrophages in many tissues, including macrophages of the artery wall and heart that have critical roles in cardiovascular health. Here, we review the phenotypical and functional diversity of macrophage populations in multiple organs and discuss the roles that proliferation, survival, and recruitment and replenishment from monocytes have in maintaining macrophages in homeostasis and inflammatory states such as atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. We also introduce emerging data that better characterize the life cycle and phenotypic profiles of human macrophages.

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Article Synopsis
  • Monocytes play a crucial role in atherosclerosis by turning into macrophages when they migrate to plaques, and this study explores how their glucose metabolism influences their behavior and contribution to the disease.
  • Researchers found that higher serum glucose levels are linked to increased monocyte numbers, while restricted diets hinder monocytes from switching energy sources, which reduces their presence in the blood.
  • The study highlights that glucose metabolism is vital for maintaining specific monocyte characteristics and functions, but inhibiting glucose uptake alone doesn't prevent atherosclerosis, likely because the remaining monocytes become more migratory.
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Macrophages are essential immune cells present in all tissues, and are vital for maintaining tissue homeostasis, immune surveillance, and immune responses. Considerable efforts have identified shared and tissue-specific gene programs for macrophages across organs during homeostasis. This information has dramatically enhanced our understanding of tissue-restricted macrophage programming and function.

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Obesity and type 2 diabetes cause a loss in brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity, but the molecular mechanisms that drive BAT cell remodeling remain largely unexplored. Using a multilayered approach, we comprehensively mapped a reorganization in BAT cells. We uncovered a subset of macrophages as lipid-associated macrophages (LAMs), which were massively increased in genetic and dietary model of BAT expansion.

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: Despite the established role of subtalar joint arthrodesis (SJA) for treatment of subtalar osteoarthritis, achieving bone union remains challenging, with up to 46% non-union rates. Adequate compression and stable fixation are crucial for successful outcomes, with internal screw fixation being the gold standard for SJA. The delta configuration, featuring highly divergent screws, offers stability, however, it can result in hardware irritation in 20-30% of patients.

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Intracellular metabolism is a crucial regulator of macrophage function. Recent evidence revealed that the polyamine pathway and subsequent hypusination of eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) are master regulators of immune cell functions. In brown adipose tissue (BAT), macrophages show an impressive degree of heterogenicity, with specific subsets supporting adaptive thermogenesis during cold exposure.

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Glucocorticoid synthesis by adrenal glands (AGs) is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to facilitate stress responses when the host is exposed to stimuli. Recent studies implicate macrophages as potential steroidogenic regulators, but the molecular mechanisms by which AG macrophages exert such influence remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of AG macrophages in response to cold challenge or atherosclerotic inflammation as physiologic models of acute or chronic stress.

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Stress exposure has been shown to modulate innate and adaptive immune responses. Indeed, stress favors myelopoiesis and monocyte generation and contributes to cardiovascular disease development. As sex hormones regulate innate and adaptive immune responses, we decided to investigate whether stress exposure leads to a different immune response in female and male mice.

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Atherosclerosis is driven by the expansion of cholesterol-loaded 'foamy' macrophages in the arterial intima. Factors regulating foamy macrophage differentiation and survival in plaque remain poorly understood. Here we show, using trajectory analysis of integrated single-cell RNA sequencing data and a genome-wide CRISPR screen, that triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2) is associated with foamy macrophage specification.

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National arthroplasty registries date back to 1975, when the Swedish Knee Arthroplasty Register was founded. This method of database collecting has since been employed for both patient follow-up and the creation of annual statistical reports. In Bulgaria, there is currently no state-approved software that offers these features.

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: Unstable proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) with metaphyseal defects-weakening the osteosynthesis construct-are challenging to treat. A new augmentation technique of plated complex PHFs with metaphyseal defects was recently introduced in the clinical practice. This biomechanical study aimed to analyze the stability of plated unstable PHFs augmented via implementation of this technique versus no augmentation.

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Cholesterol efflux pathways could be exploited in tumor biology to unravel cancer vulnerabilities. A mouse model of lung-tumor-bearing KRAS mutation with specific disruption of cholesterol efflux pathways in epithelial progenitor cells promoted tumor growth. Defective cholesterol efflux in epithelial progenitor cells governed their transcriptional landscape to support their expansion and create a pro-tolerogenic tumor microenvironment (TME).

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Background and Objectives: Using 3D printed models in orthopaedics and traumatology contributes to a better understanding of injury patterns regarding surgical approaches, reduction techniques, and fracture fixation methods. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel technique implementing 3D printed models to facilitate the optimal preoperative planning of the surgical treatment of complex acetabular fractures. Materials and Methods: Patients with complex acetabular fractures were assigned to two groups: (1) conventional group (n = 12) and (2) 3D printed group (n = 10).

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Brown adipose tissue (BAT) contains many immune cells. The presence of macrophages, monocytes, dendritic cells, T cells, B cells, and mast cells was documented in BAT. However, in comparison to white adipose tissue, relatively little is known on the impact of immune cells on BAT function.

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: The treatment of proximal humerus fractures in elderly patients is challenging, with reported high complication rates mostly related to implant failure involving screw cut-out and penetration. Metaphyseal defects are common in osteoporotic bone and weaken the osteosynthesis construct. A novel technique for augmentation with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement was developed for the treatment of patients in advanced age with complex proximal humerus fractures and metaphyseal voids, whereby the cement was allowed to partially cure for 5-7 min after mixing to achieve medium viscosity, and then it was manually placed into the defect through the traumatic lateral window with a volume of 4-6 mL per patient.

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Despite the ubiquitous function of macrophages across the body, the diversity, origin, and function of adrenal gland macrophages remain largely unknown. We define the heterogeneity of adrenal gland immune cells using single-cell RNA sequencing and use genetic models to explore the developmental mechanisms yielding macrophage diversity. We define populations of monocyte-derived and embryonically seeded adrenal gland macrophages and identify a female-specific subset with low major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression.

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Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the biomechanical performance of different screw configurations for fixation of Sanders type II B joint-depression calcaneal fractures.

Methods: Fifteen human cadaveric lower limbs were amputated and Sanders II B fractures were simulated. The specimens were randomized to three groups for fixation with different screw configurations.

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Actin networks are dynamically regulated through constant depolymerization and polymerization cycles. Although the fundamental mechanisms that govern these processes have been identified, the nature and role of post-translational modifications (PTMs) of actin and actin regulatory proteins are not completely understood. Here, we employed Actin CytoFRET, a method that we developed for real time detection of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) signals generated by actin dynamics, to screen a small library of PTM-interfering compounds on a biosensor leukemic T cell line.

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Macrophages rely on tightly integrated metabolic rewiring to clear dying neighboring cells by efferocytosis during homeostasis and disease. Here we reveal that glutaminase-1-mediated glutaminolysis is critical to promote apoptotic cell clearance by macrophages during homeostasis in mice. In addition, impaired macrophage glutaminolysis exacerbates atherosclerosis, a condition during which, efficient apoptotic cell debris clearance is critical to limit disease progression.

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Monocytes are part of the mononuclear phagocytic system. Monocytes play a central role during inflammatory conditions and a better understanding of their dynamics might open therapeutic opportunities. In the present study, we focused on the characterization and impact of monocytes on brown adipose tissue (BAT) functions during tissue remodeling.

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Metabolism plays a key role in controlling immune cell functions. In this review, we will discuss the diversity of plaque resident myeloid cells and will focus on their metabolic demands that could reflect on their particular intraplaque localization. Defining the metabolic configuration of plaque resident myeloid cells according to their topologic distribution could provide answers to key questions regarding their functions and contribution to disease development.

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Disruption of lymphatic lipid transport is linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D), but regulation of lymphatic vessel function and its link to disease remain unclear. Here we show that intestinal lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) have an increasing CD36 expression from lymphatic capillaries (lacteals) to collecting vessels, and that LEC CD36 regulates lymphatic integrity and optimizes lipid transport. Inducible deletion of CD36 in LECs in adult mice (Cd36) increases discontinuity of LEC VE-cadherin junctions in lacteals and collecting vessels.

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Along with respiratory tract disease , viral respiratory infections can also cause extrapulmonary complications with a potentially critical impact on health. In the present study, we used an experimental model of influenza A virus (IAV) infection to investigate the nature and outcome of the associated gut disorders. In IAV-infected mice, the signs of intestinal injury and inflammation, altered gene expression, and compromised intestinal barrier functions peaked on day 7 postinfection.

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