Erik Biessen

Professor

Prof. Erik Biessen graduated with specialisations in Physical and Bio-Chemistry at Wageningen University. After a series of post-doctoral fellowships at Leiden University, in the labs of Prof. Van Boom (Organic Chemistry; glycolipid synthesis) and Prof. Van Berkel (Biopharmaceutics; drug/gene targeting), he was in 1994, selected as one of 6 post-docs the Molecular Cardiology programme (a competitive 12 year career development track of the Netherlands Heart Foundation. In 2001, he received the NWO innovative research premium incentive (Vidi) and in 2003 the NHS Established Investigator award, to be appointed Professor of Therapeutic Gene Modulation in 2005. In 2007, he moved to Maastricht University to lead the Experimental Vascular Pathology group. Prof Biessen has a part time appointment at the Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research, RWTH Aachen.

Erik Biessen’s current passion is to deploy systems medicine approaches, to understand and define critical innate immune pathways in human atherosclerosis and cardiometabolic comorbidities and to validate the relevance of these processes for disease progression by intervention studies in in vitro and in vivo models. Hereto, the group has developed a new high content microscopy based functionomics platform to measure macrophage functional profile at unprecedented resolution and speed and a technology pipeline for spatial mapping of macrophage phenotype and molecular context. Keywords of his research: systems medicine, bioinformatics, multispectral analysis, macrophage biology. Dr Biessen is partner of several H2020-ITN (EvolUtion, INTRICARE, CareSyan), and two Interreg programmes and is coordinator of H2020/ERA-CVD project (AtheroMacHete).

Department of Pathology
Verheylaan 10, 6229 HX Maastricht
Room number: 5M01.032
T: +31(0)43 387 46 35

  • 2015
    • Abbas, A., Gregersen, I., Holm, S., Daissormont, I., Bjerkeli, V., Krohg-Sorensen, K., Skagen, K. R., Dahl, T. B., Russell, D., Almas, T., Bundgaard, D., Alteheld, L. H., Rashidi, A., Dahl, C. P., Michelsen, A. E., Biessen, E. A., Aukrust, P., Halvorsen, B., & Skjelland, M. (2015). Interleukin 23 Levels Are Increased in Carotid Atherosclerosis Possible Role for the Interleukin 23/Interleukin 17 Axis. Stroke, 46(3), 793–799. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.114.006516
    • Zegers, C. M. L., Rekers, N. H., Quaden, D. H. F., Lieuwes, N. G., Yaromina, A., Germeraad, W. T. V., Wieten, L., Biessen, E. A. L., Boon, L., Neri, D., Troost, E. G. C., Dubois, L. J., & Lambin, P. (2015). Radiotherapy Combined with the Immunocytokine L19-IL2 Provides Long-lasting Antitumor Effects. Clinical Cancer Research, 21(5), 1151-1160. https://doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-14-2676
    • Herias, V., Biessen, E. A. L., Beckers, C., Delsing, D., Liao, M., Daemen, M. J., Pham, C. C. T. N., & Heeneman, S. (2015). Leukocyte Cathepsin C Deficiency Attenuates Atherosclerotic Lesion Progression by Selective Tuning of Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 35(1), 79-86. https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.114.304292
  • 2014
    • Biessen, E. A. L., & Christ, A. (2014). Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Atherosclerosis Knocking at T-Cell's Door. Circulation, 130(16), 1340-1342. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.012641
    • Hanssen, N. M. J., Brouwers, O., Gijbels, M. J., Wouters, K., Wijnands, E., Cleutjens, J. P. M., De Mey, J. G., Miyata, T., Biessen, E. A., Stehouwer, C. D. A., & Schalkwijk, C. G. (2014). Glyoxalase 1 overexpression does not affect atherosclerotic lesion size and severity in ApoE(-/-) mice with or without diabetes. Cardiovascular Research, 104(1), 160-170. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvu189
    • Burgmaier, M., Schutters, K., Willems, B., Van der Vorst, E. P. C., Kusters, D., Chatrou, M., Norling, L., Biessen, E. A. L., Cleutjens, J., Perretti, M., Schurgers, L. J., & Reutelingsperger, C. (2014). AnxA5 reduces plaque inflammation of advanced atherosclerotic lesions in apoE(-/-) mice. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 18(10), 2117-2124. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcmm.12374
    • Bot, I., Daissormont, I. T. M. N., Zernecke, A., van Puijvelde, G. H. M., Kramp, B., de Jager, S. C. A., Sluimer, J. C., Manca, M., Herias, V., Westra, M. M., Bot, M., van Santbrink, P. J., van Berkel, T. J. C., Su, L., Skjelland, M., Gullestad, L., Kuiper, J., Halvorsen, B., Aukrust, P., ... Biessen, E. A. L. (2014). CXCR4 blockade induces atherosclerosis by affecting neutrophil function. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, 74, 44-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yjmcc.2014.04.021
    • Hoeksema, M. A., Gijbels, M. J. J., Van den Bossche, J., van der Velden, S., Sijm, A., Neele, A. E., Seijkens, T., Stoger, J. L., Meiler, S., Boshuizen, M. C. S., Dallinga-Thie, G. M., Levels, J. H. M., Boon, L., Mullican, S. E., Spann, N. J., Cleutjens, J. P., Glass, C. K., Lazar, M. A., de Vries, C. J. M., ... de Winther, M. P. J. (2014). Targeting macrophage Histone deacetylase 3 stabilizes atherosclerotic lesions. EMBO Molecular Medicine, 6(9), 1124-1132. https://doi.org/10.15252/emmm.201404170
    • Lagraauw, H. M., Westra, M. M., Bot, M., Wezel, A., van Santbrink, P. J., Pasterkamp, G., Biessen, E. A. L., Kuiper, J., & Bot, I. (2014). Vascular neuropeptide Y contributes to atherosclerotic plaque progression and perivascular mast cell activation. Atherosclerosis, 235(1), 196-203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2014.04.025
    • Vaidya, A., Severens, J. L., Bongaerts, B. W. C., Cleutjens, K. B. J. M., Nelemans, P. J., Hofstra, L., van Dieijen-Visser, M., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2014). High-sensitive Troponin T assay for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction: an economic evaluation. BMC Cardiovascular disorders, 14, Article 77. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2261-14-77
    • Halvorsen, B., Smedbakken, L. M., Michelsen, A. E., Skjelland, M., Bjerkeli, V., Sagen, E. L., Tasken, K., Bendz, B., Gullestad, L., Holm, S., Biessen, E. A., & Aukrust, P. (2014). Activated platelets promote increased monocyte expression of CXCR5 through prostaglandin E2-related mechanisms and enhance the anti-inflammatory effects of CXCL13. Atherosclerosis, 234(2), 352-359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2014.03.021
    • Hanssen, N. M. J., Wouters, K., Huijberts, M. S., Gijbels, M. J., Sluimer, J. C., Scheijen, J. L. J. M., Heeneman, S., Biessen, E. A. L., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Brownlee, M., de Kleijn, D. P., Stehouwer, C. D. A., Pasterkamp, G., & Schalkwijk, C. G. (2014). Higher levels of advanced glycation endproducts in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques are associated with a rupture-prone phenotype. European Heart Journal, 35(17), 1137-1146. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/eht402
    • Halvorsen, B., Dahl, T. B., Smedbakken, L. M., Singh, A., Michelsen, A. E., Skjelland, M., Krohg-Sorensen, K., Russell, D., Hoepken, U. E., Lipp, M., Damas, J. K., Holm, S., Yndestad, A., Biessen, E. A., & Aukrust, P. (2014). Increased levels of CCR7 ligands in carotid atherosclerosis: different effects in macrophages and smooth muscle cells. Cardiovascular Research, 102(1), 148-156. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvu036
    • Chatzigeorgiou, A., Seijkens, T., Zarzycka, B., Engel, D., Poggi, M., van den Berg, S., van den Berg, S., Soehnlein, O., Winkels, H., Beckers, L., Lievens, D., Driessen, A., Kusters, P., Biessen, E., Garcia-Martin, R., Klotzsche-von Ameln, A., Gijbels, M., Noelle, R., Boon, L., ... Lutgens, E. (2014). Correction for Chatzigeorgiou et al., Blocking CD40-TRAF6 signaling is a therapeutic target in obesity-associated insulin resistance (vol 111, pg 2686, 2014). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 111(12), 4644-4644. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1403231111
    • Gabriels, K., Hoving, S., Gijbels, M. J., Pol, J. F., te Poele, J. A., Biessen, E. A., Daemen, M. J., Stewart, F. A., & Heeneman, S. (2014). Irradiation of existing atherosclerotic lesions increased inflammation by favoring pro-inflammatory macrophages. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 110(3), 455-460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2014.01.006
    • Chatzigeorgioua, A., Seijkens, T., Zarzycka, B., Engel, D., Poggi, M., van den Berg, S., van den Berg, S., Soehnlein, O., Winkels, H., Beckers, L., Lievens, D., Driessen, A., Kusters, P., Biessen, E., Garcia-Martin, R., Ameln, A. K., Gijbels, M., Noelle, R., Boon, L., ... Lutgens, E. (2014). Blocking CD40-TRAF6 signaling is a therapeutic target in obesity-associated insulin resistance. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 111(7), 2686-2691. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1400419111
    • Wolfs, I. M. J., Stoger, J. L., Goossens, P., Pottgens, C., Gijbels, M. J. J., Wijnands, E., van der Vorst, E. P. C., van Gorp, P., Beckers, L., Engel, D., Biessen, E. A. L., Kraal, G., van Die, I., Donners, M. M. P. C., & de Winther, M. P. J. (2014). Reprogramming macrophages to an anti-inflammatory phenotype by helminth antigens reduces murine atherosclerosis. Faseb Journal, 28(1), 288-299. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.13-235911
  • 2013
    • Christ, A., Temmerman, L., Legein, B., Daemen, M. J. A. P., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2013). Dendritic Cells in Cardiovascular Diseases Epiphenomenon, Contributor, or Therapeutic Opportunity. Circulation, 128(24), 2603-2613. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.003364
    • Lievens, D., Habets, K. L., Robertson, A.-K., Laouar, Y., Winkels, H., Rademakers, T., Beckers, L., Wijnands, E., Boon, L., Mosaheb, M., Ait-Oufella, H., Mallat, Z., Flavell, R. A., Rudling, M., Binder, C. J., Gerdes, N., Biessen, E. A. L., Weber, C., Daemen, M. J. A. P., ... Lutgens, E. (2013). Abrogated transforming growth factor beta receptor II (TGFRII) signalling in dendritic cells promotes immune reactivity of T cells resulting in enhanced atherosclerosis. European Heart Journal, 34(48), 3717-3727. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehs106
    • Hoefer, I. E., Sels, J.-W., Jukema, J. W., Bergheanu, S., Biessen, E., McClellan, E., Daemen, M., Doevendans, P., de Groot, P., Hillaert, M., Horsman, S., Ilhan, M., Kuiper, J., Pijls, N., Redekop, K., van der Spek, P., Stubbs, A., van de Veer, E., Waltenberger, J., ... Pasterkamp, G. (2013). Circulating cells as predictors of secondary manifestations of cardiovascular disease: design of the CIRCULATING CELLS study. Clinical research in cardiology, 102(11), 847-856. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-013-0607-9
    • van der Veer, E. P., de Bruin, R. G., Kraaijeveld, A. O., de Vries, M. R., Bot, I., Pera, T., Segers, F. M., Trompet, S., van Gils, J. M., Roeten, M. K., Beckers, C. M., van Santbrink, P. J., Janssen, A., van Solingen, C., Swildens, J., de Boer, H. C., Peters, E. A., Bijkerk, R., Rousch, M., ... van Zonneveld, A. J. (2013). Quaking, an RNA-Binding Protein, Is a Critical Regulator of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype. Circulation Research, 113(9), 1065-1075. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.113.301302
    • Yu, H., Segers, F., Sliedregt-Bol, K., Bot, I., Woltman, A. M., Boross, P., Verbeek, S., Overkleeft, H., van der Marel, G. A., van Kooten, C., van Berkel, T. J. C., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2013). Identification of a novel CD40 ligand for targeted imaging of inflammatory plaques by phage display. Faseb Journal, 27(10), 4136-4146. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.12-224667
    • Legein, B., Temmerman, L., Biessen, E. A. L., & Lutgens, E. (2013). Inflammation and immune system interactions in atherosclerosis. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 70(20), 3847-3869. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-013-1289-1
    • Segers, F. M. E., den Adel, B., Bot, I., van der Graaf, L. M., van der Veer, E. P., Gonzalez, W., Raynal, I., de Winther, M., Wodzig, W. K., Poelmann, R. E., van Berkel, T. J. C., van der Weerd, L., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2013). Scavenger Receptor-AI-Targeted Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for In Vivo MRI Detection of Atherosclerotic Lesions. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 33(8), 1812-1819. https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.112.300707
    • Bot, M., Van Veldhoven, P. P., de Jager, S. C. A., Johnson, J., Nijstad, N., Van Santbrink, P. J., Westra, M. M., Van Der Hoeven, G., Gijbels, M. J., Mueller-Tidow, C., Varga, G., Tietge, U. J. F., Kuiper, J., Van Berkel, T. J. C., Nofer, J.-R., Bot, I., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2013). Hematopoietic Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Lyase Deficiency Decreases Atherosclerotic Lesion Development in LDL-Receptor Deficient Mice. PLOS ONE, 8(6). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0063360
    • Bot, M., de Jager, S. C. A., MacAleese, L., Lagraauw, H. M., van Berkel, T. J. C., Quax, P. H. A., Kuiper, J., Heeren, R. M. A., Biessen, E. A. L., & Bot, I. (2013). Lysophosphatidic acid triggers mast cell-driven atherosclerotic plaque destabilization by increasing vascular inflammation. Journal of Lipid Research, 54(5), 1265-1274. https://doi.org/10.1194/jlr.M032862
    • de Jager, S. C. A., Bot, I., Kraaijeveld, A. O., Korporaal, S. J. A., Bot, M., van Santbrink, P. J., van Berkel, T. J. C., Kuiper, J., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2013). Leukocyte-Specific CCL3 Deficiency Inhibits Atherosclerotic Lesion Development by Affecting Neutrophil Accumulation. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 33(3), e75–e83. https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.112.300857
    • Vrins, C. L. J., Out, R., van Santbrink, P., van der Zee, A., Mahmoudi, T., Groenendijk, M., Havekes, L. M., van Berkel, T. J. C., van Dijk, K. W., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2013). Znf202 Affects High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels and Promotes Hepatosteatosis in Hyperlipidemic Mice. PLOS ONE, 8(2), Article e57492. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0057492
    • Borissoff, J. I., Otten, J. J. T., Heeneman, S., Leenders, P., van Oerle, R., Soehnlein, O., Loubele, S. T. B. G., Hamulyak, K., Hackeng, T. M., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Degen, J. L., Weiler, H., Esmon, C. T., van Ryn, J., Biessen, E. A. L., Spronk, H. M. H., & ten Cate, H. (2013). Genetic and Pharmacological Modifications of Thrombin Formation in Apolipoprotein E-deficient Mice Determine Atherosclerosis Severity and Atherothrombosis Onset in a Neutrophil-Dependent Manner. PLOS ONE, 8(2), Article e55784. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0055784
    • Rademakers, T., Douma, K., Hackeng, T. M., Post, M. J., Sluimer, J. C., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Biessen, E. A. L., Heeneman, S., & van Zandvoort, M. A. M. J. (2013). Plaque-Associated Vasa Vasorum in Aged Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice Exhibit Proatherogenic Functional Features In Vivo. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 33(2), 249–256. https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.112.300087
    • Otten, J. J. T., de Jager, S. C. A., Kavelaars, A., Seijkens, T., Bot, I., Wijnands, E., Beckers, L., Westra, M. M., Bot, M., Busch, M., Bermudez, B., van Berkel, T. J. C., Heijnen, C. J., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2013). Hematopoietic G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 deficiency decreases atherosclerotic lesion formation in LDL receptor-knockout mice. Faseb Journal, 27(1), 265-276. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.12-205351
  • 2012
    • Stoger, J. L., Gijbels, M. J. J., van der Velden, S., Manca, M., van der Loos, C. M., Biessen, E. A. L., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Lutgens, E., & de Winther, M. P. J. (2012). Distribution of macrophage polarization markers in human atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis, 225(2), 461-468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2012.09.013
    • Viswanathan, K., Bot, I., Liu, L., Dai, E., Turner, P. C., Togonu-Bickersteth, B., Richardson, J., Davids, J. A., Williams, J. M., Bartee, M. Y., Chen, H., van Berkel, T. J. C., Biessen, E. A. L., Moyer, R. W., & Lucas, A. R. (2012). Viral Cross-Class Serpin Inhibits Vascular Inflammation and T Lymphocyte Fratricide; A Study in Rodent Models In Vivo and Human Cell Lines In Vitro. PLOS ONE, 7(9), Article e44694. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0044694
    • de Jager, S. C. A., Bongaerts, B. W. C., Weber, M., Kraaijeveld, A. O., Rousch, M., Dimmeler, S., van Dieijen-Visser, M. P., Cleutjens, K. B. J. M., Nelemans, P. J., van Berkel, T. J. C., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2012). Chemokines CCL3/MIP 1 alpha, CCL5/RANTES and CCL18/PARC are Independent Risk Predictors of Short-Term Mortality in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes. PLOS ONE, 7(9), Article 45804. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0045804
    • Smedbakken, L. M., Halvorsen, B., Daissormont, I., Ranheim, T., Michelsen, A. E., Skjelland, M., Sagen, E. L., Folkersen, L., Krohg-Sorensen, K., Russell, D., Holm, S., Ueland, T., Fevang, B., Hedin, U., Yndestad, A., Gullestad, L., Hansson, G. K., Biessen, E. A., & Aukrust, P. (2012). Increased levels of the homeostatic chemokine CXCL13 in human atherosclerosis - Potential role in plaque stabilization. Atherosclerosis, 224(1), 266-273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2012.06.071
    • Schurgers, L. J., Joosen, I. A., Laufer, E. M., Chatrou, M. L. L., Herfs, M., Winkens, M. H. M., Westenfeld, R., Veulemans, V., Krueger, T., Shanahan, C. M., Jahnen-Dechent, W., Biessen, E., Narula, J., Vermeer, C., Hofstra, L., & Reutelingsperger, C. P. (2012). Vitamin K-Antagonists Accelerate Atherosclerotic Calcification and Induce a Vulnerable Plaque Phenotype. PLOS ONE, 7(8), Article e43229. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0043229
    • den Dekker, W. K., Tempel, D., Bot, I., Biessen, E. A., Joosten, L. A., Netea, M. G., van der Meer, J. W. M., Cheng, C., & Duckers, H. J. (2012). Mast Cells Induce Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Apoptosis via a Toll-Like Receptor 4 Activation Pathway. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 32(8), 1960-1969. https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.112.250605
    • Cheng, C., Haasdijk, R., Tempel, D., van de Kamp, E. H. M., Herpers, R., Bos, F., Den Dekker, W. K., Blonden, L. A. J., de Jong, R., Burgisser, P. E., Chrifi, I., Biessen, E. A. L., Dimmeler, S., Schulte-Merker, S., & Duckers, H. J. (2012). Endothelial Cell-Specific FGD5 Involvement in Vascular Pruning Defines Neovessel Fate in Mice. Circulation, 125(25), 3142–3159. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.111.064030
    • Segers, F. M. E., Yu, H., Molenaar, T. J. M., Prince, P., Tanaka, T., van Berkel, T. J. C., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2012). Design and Validation of a Specific Scavenger Receptor Class AI Binding Peptide for Targeting the Inflammatory Atherosclerotic Plaque. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 32(4), 971-U285. https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.111.235358
    • Yu, H., Bot, I., Sliedregt-Bol, K., Xu, X., Bot, M., van Heiningen, S. H., van der Marel, G. A., Bennett, M. R., Overkleeft, H., van Berkel, T. J. C., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2012). Selective Modulation of Nuclear Factor of Activated T-Cell Function in Restenosis by a Potent Bipartite Peptide Inhibitor. Circulation Research, 110(2), 200–210. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.111.240895
  • 2011
    • Daissormont, I. T. M. N., Christ, A., Temmerman, L., Millares, S. S., Seijkens, T., Manca, M., Rousch, M., Poggi, M., Boon, L., van der Loos, C. M., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Lutgens, E., Halvorsen, B., Aukrust, P., Janssen, E. M., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2011). Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Protect Against Atherosclerosis by Tuning T-Cell Proliferation and Activity. Circulation Research, 109(12), 1387-1395. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.111.256529
    • Engel, D., Beckers, L., Wijnands, E., Seijkens, T., Lievens, D., Drechsler, M., Gerdes, N., Soehnlein, O., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Stan, R. V., Biessen, E. A. L., & Lutgens, E. (2011). Caveolin-1 deficiency decreases atherosclerosis by hampering leukocyte influx into the arterial wall and generating a regulatory T-cell response. Faseb Journal, 25(11), 3838-3848. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.11-183350
    • Bot, I., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2011). Mast cells in atherosclerosis. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 106(5), 820-826. https://doi.org/10.1160/TH11-05-0291
    • Cheng, C., Tempel, D., Den Dekker, W. K., Haasdijk, R. A., Chrifi, I., Bos, F. L., Wagtmans, K., Van De Kamp, E. H. M., Blonden, L. A. J., Biessen, E. A. L., Moll, F. L., Pasterkamp, G., Serruys, P. W., Schulte-Merker, S., & Duckers, H. J. (2011). Ets2 Determines the Inflammatory State of Endothelial Cells in Advanced Atherosclerotic Lesions. Circulation Research, 109(4), 385-395. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.111.243444
    • de Jager, S. C. A., Bermudez, B., Bot, I., Koenen, R. R., Bot, M., Kavelaars, A., de Waard, V., Heijnen, C. J., Muriana, F. J. G., Weber, C., van Berkel, T. J. C., Kuiper, J., Lee, S.-J., Abia, R., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2011). Growth differentiation factor 15 deficiency protects against atherosclerosis by attenuating CCR2-mediated macrophage chemotaxis. Journal of Experimental Medicine, 208(2), 217-225. https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20100370
    • Bot, I., Jukema, J. W., Lankhuizen, I. M., van Berkel, T. J. C., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2011). Atorvastatin inhibits plaque development and adventitial neovascularization in ApoE deficient mice independent of plasma cholesterol levels. Atherosclerosis, 214(2), 295-300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2010.11.008
    • von der Thüsen, J. H., Borensztajn, K. S., Moimas, S., van Heiningen, S. H., Teeling, P., van Berkel, T. J. C., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2011). IGF-1 Has Plaque-Stabilizing Effects in Atherosclerosis by Altering Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype. American Journal of Pathology, 178(2), 924-934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajpath.2010.10.007
    • Bot, I., Bot, M., van Heiningen, S. H., van Santbrink, P. J., Lankhuizen, I. M., Hartman, P., Gruener, S., Hilpert, H., van Berkel, T. J. C., Fingerle, J., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2011). Mast cell chymase inhibition reduces atherosclerotic plaque progression and improves plaque stability in ApoE(-/-) mice. Cardiovascular Research, 89(1), 244-252. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvq260
  • 2010
    • Lievens, D., Zernecke, A., Seijkens, T., Soehnlein, O., Beckers, L., Munnix, I. C. A., Wijnands, E., Goossens, P., van Kruchten, R., Thevissen, L., Boon, L., Flavell, R. A., Noelle, R. J., Gerdes, N., Biessen, E. A., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Heemskerk, J. M., Weber, C., & Lutgens, E. (2010). Platelet CD40L mediates thrombotic and inflammatory processes in atherosclerosis. Blood, 116(20), 4317-4327. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2010-01-261206
    • Bai, L., Gabriels, K., Wijnands, E., Rousch, M., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Tervaert, J. W. C., Biessen, E. A. L., & Heeneman, S. (2010). Low- but not high-dose FK506 treatment confers atheroprotection due to alternative macrophage activation and unaffected cholesterol levels. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 104(1), 143-150. https://doi.org/10.1160/TH09-07-0502