Summary: 2002
ACR Basic Research Conference
“Vascular Biology: New insights into Thrombosis,
Atherosclerosis, Angiogenesis and Inflammation”
The American College
of Rheumatology Basic Research Conference “Vascular Biology: New
insights into Thrombosis, Atherosclerosis, Angiogenesis and Inflammation”
was held October 24-25, 2002 in New Orleans, LA. The ACR Committee on
Research selected this topic because it is critical to understanding the
pathogenesis, mechanisms of tissue injury, and long-term sequelae of systemic
inflammatory disease. This area of research is likely to provide new therapeutic
approaches for rheumatic disease patients.
The goals for the
conference were to
(1) bring
together experts in areas of interest to the rheumatology scientific committee,
(2) facilitate discussion between basic scientists and
translational investigators, and
(3)
provide a milieu for young scientists to interact with leaders in the
field of vascular biology.
2002 BRC Overview:
To meet these goals, the Basic Research Conference focused around five
areas:
The Co-chairs, Drs.
Jane Salmon (Hospital for Special Surgery and Weill Medical College of
Cornell University, New York, NY) and Roy Silverstein (Weill Medical College
of Cornell University, New York, NY), invited 16 scientists who have made
important contributions to vascular biology. In addition to the five formal
sessions by invited speakers, six abstracts were presented and 25 posters
were on view during an evening session. There were nearly 500 registrants
for the program.
Several important themes emerged from the conference. The central role
of oxidation reactions in vascular injury and atherosclerosis and the
critical role of enzymatic systems (e.g., peroxidases and heme oxygenases)
and oxygen-sensitive gene transcription systems (e.g., HIF-1) in regulating
vascular biology were highlighted. The presentations identified potential
new targets for therapeutic and diagnostic interventions in vascular disease.
The interaction between the coagulation and pro-inflammatory systems was
also discussed, particularly in relation to rheumatic diseases. The importance
of cell interactions with the extracellular matrix in the regulation of
cell signaling was another theme with relevance to both vascular biology
and rheumatology. Finally, the emerging field of stem cell biology and
its implications in cellular therapies and tissue engineering were discussed.
A complete summary
of the conference is also available in printer-friendly
PDF format 
(125 KB).
