Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and aortic valve sclerosis

Major Projects

We have demonstrated enzymatically degraded LDL (eLDL) as an essential causative component for the initiation of atherosclerosis. Subsequently, we presented a startup of a hypothesis on the pathogenesis of aortic valve sclerosis declaring extracellular lipoprotein modification, subsequent complement activation and cellular uptake by VICs / myofibroblasts as integral players. Current research focuses on the investigation of the interaction between eLDL and vascular interstitial cells / myofibroblasts with special emphasis on pro- and/or anti-inflammatory cytokine patterns evoked by cellular uptake of eLDL. The aim is to evaluate possible strategies for the prevention of the well known proinflammatory effects of eLDL.

Major Networks and Collaborations

Ulrich F. W. Franke, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Robert Bosch Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany
Matthias Schwab, Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and University of Tuebingen, Stuttgart, Germany
Sotirios Tsimikas, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego
Arnold von Eckardstein, Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University of Zurich and University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

Prof. Dr. Michael Torzewski

phone: ++49-711-8101 3500

Michael Torzewski

Selected References

Capoulade, R., Torzewski M, Mayr M, K. L. Chan, P. Mathieu, Y. Bossé, J. G. Dumesnil, J. Tam, K. K. Teo, S. A. Burnap, J. Schmid, N. Gobel, U. F. W. Franke, A. Sanchez, J. L. Witztum, X. Yang, C. Yeang, B. Arsenault, J. P. Després, P. Pibarot and S. Tsimikas S. ApoCIII-Lp(a) complexes in conjunction with Lp(a)-OxPL predict rapid progression of aortic stenosis. Heart 2020; 106(10): 738-745

Singh, S. and Torzewski M. Fibroblasts and Their Pathological Functions in the Fibrosis of Aortic Valve Sclerosis and Atherosclerosis. Biomolecules 2019; 9(9)

Reustle, A. and Torzewski M. Role of p38 MAPK in Atherosclerosis and Aortic Valve Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19(12)

Cheng, F, Twardowski L, Fehr S, Aner C, Schaeffeler E, Joos T, Knorpp T, Dorweiler B, Laufer S, Schwab M, Torzewski M. Selective p38alpha MAP kinase/MAPK14 inhibition in enzymatically modified LDL-stimulated human monocytes: implications for atherosclerosis. Faseb J 2017; 31(2): 674-686

Torzewski, M., A. Ravandi, C. Yeang, A. Edel, R. Bhindi, S. Kath, L. Twardowski, J. Schmid, X. Yang, U. F. W. Franke, J. L. Witztum and S. Tsimikas. Lipoprotein(a) Associated Molecules are Prominent Components in Plasma and Valve Leaflets in Calcific Aortic Valve Stenosis. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2017; 2(3): 229-240

Twardowski, L., Cheng F, Michaelsen J, Winter S, HofmannU, Schaeffeler E, Muller S, Sonnenberg M, Steuer K, Ott G, Schwab M, Franke UF, Torzewski M. Enzymatically Modified Low-Density Lipoprotein Is Present in All Stages of Aortic Valve Sclerosis: Implications for Pathogenesis of the Disease. J Am Heart Assoc 2015; 4(10): 002156

Curriculum Vitae Michael Torzewski, MD

Affiliation

Chief Physician
Laboratory Medicine and Hospital Hygiene

Robert-Bosch-Hospital
Auerbachstr. 110
D-70376 Stuttgart
phone: ++49-711-8101 3500
fax: ++49-711-8101 3618
email: daniela.tscherner@rbk.de

Education and Professional Career

Oct.1986-Oct.1992	medicine studies, University of Mainz
Oct. 1992	“3. Staatsexamen” (medical examination)
Nov. 10th, 1992	doctorate (Department of Pharmacology, University of Mainz)
Dec.1992-Nov.1993	resident at the Department of Neurosurgery of the Sankt Gertrauden Hospital Berlin-Wilmersdorf (head: Prof. Dr. B. Bingas)
Dec.1993-June 1994	medical assistent, Institute of Anatomy and Special Embryology, University Fribourg/Switzerland (head: Prof. Dr. Dr. G. Rager)
June 1st, 1994	“Approbation” (licence to practice medicine)
July 1994-Dec.1998	assistent doctor, Institute of Pathology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf (head: Prof. Dr. H. E. Gabbert)
Jan. 1999-March 2002	assistant doctor, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg (head: Prof. Dr. G. Schmitz)
Sep. 2001-Feb. 2002	postdoc, Specialized Center of Research on Atherosclerosis (SCOR) (head: Joseph L. Witztum, Professor of Medicine), Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD)
since April 2002	assistant doctor, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz (head: Prof. Dr. K. J. Lackner)
Oct. 2002-Sep. 2003	further education in medical microbiology, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz (head: Prof. Dr. S. Bhakdi)
Oct. 2003-March 2004	further education in internal medicine, Department of Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz (head: Prof. Dr. Ch. Huber)
April 28th, 2004	recognition as specialist in Laboratory Medicine
June 3rd, 2004	“Habilitation” (postdoctoral lecture qualification) in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
since Sep. 16th, 2004	“Oberarzt” (senior physician) at the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz (head: Prof. Dr. K. J. Lackner)
April 20th, 2006	recognition as Clinical Chemist
May 21th, 2008	recognition as specialist in Neuropathology
since Oct. 2006	postgraduate distance learning programme (Master´s degree programme) in Health and Social Service Management, Technical University of Kaiserslautern (Distance and International Studies Center)
Aug. 2009-March 2011	director, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology (IKCH), Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology (IKMI), St. Gallen, Switzerland
Since April1st 2011	head of Department of Laboratory Medicine and Hospital Hygiene, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Stuttgart
June 21th, 2011	extraordinary professorship at the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz
March 19th, 2012	recognition as specialist in Medical Microbiology

Scholarships and Scientific Awards

1989-1992	studentship of the Cusanuswerk, scholarhip organization sponsoring talented students
1999	recipient of the poster award of the German United Society of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL)
2000	„Heinz Meise-Preis“ awarded by the Deutschen Herzstiftung: Torzewski M et al.: Deposition of C-reactive protein in the arterial intima: Role of C-reactive protein receptor-dependent recruitment of monocytes in atherogenesis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2000;20: 2094-2099
2005	recipient of the „W. H. Hauss-Preis“ awarded by the German section of the International Atherosclerosis Society (DGAF)
2005	recipient of the „Robert-Müller-Forschungspreis“ awarded by the medical faculty of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz

Professional Memberships

German Society for Atherosclerosis Research e. V. (DGAF, president elect)
German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine e. V. (DGLM)

Scientific Journal Editorial Board Memberships

Biomolecules