The role of APRIL in triglyceride metabolism

The project The Influence of the Immune System on Triglyceride Metabolism is being carried out bilaterally with the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, and will start in September 2021. The triglyceride or fat metabolism is an essential process for the provision and storage of energy that the body needs to maintain its functions. Deviation from a balanced triglyceride metabolism, for example in the case of hypertriglyceridemia, lead to diseases such as atherosclerosis, which can cause heart attacks or strokes. It is currently unclear whether the immune system regulate triglyceride metabolism. Our aim is to investigate the role of specific molecules that are called cytokines, in triglyceride metabolism. Our studies should provide new insights into the interaction between the immune system and lipid metabolism, which could result in novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia.