Prof. Dr. Sophie van Linthout

Expertise

Our research is focused at exploring the role of the innate and adaptive immunity in the pathogenesis of non-ischemic heart failure with main interest in inflammatory cardiomyopathy and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The relevance of extra-cardiac versus cardiac inflammation on the pathogenesis of heart failure is investigated. In addition, our research is directed at the search for novel therapeutic targets as well as the evaluation of repurposed anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory strategies.

In view of translational research, patient materials of specific heart failure cohorts are analyzed and identified targets and therapies evaluated in experimental models.

• NLRP3 inflammasome and S100A8/A9 alarmins
• (cardiac) fibroblasts as inflammatory supporter cells
• cardiosplenic axis
• immunometabolism
• immune checkpoint inhibitors and myocarditis
• immunomodulating strategies: cell-based and pharmacological strategies