MSACL 2019 US Abstract

Investigating Smooth Muscle Foam Cells in Atherosclerosis – Applications of Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Joshua A. Dubland (1), Ying Wang (2), Sima Allahverdian (1), Gordon A. Francis (1)
(1) University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada (2) Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

Warning: Undefined variable $headshot in /var/www/html/view_abstract/view_abstract_in_program.php on line 704

Joshua Dubland (Presenter) University of British Columbia

Presenter Bio: Joshua Dubland holds a BSc (2008, Simon Fraser University) and MSc (2010, University of Toronto) with a specialization in organic chemistry. After completing his MSc, Josh worked briefly in a clinical laboratory developing LC/MS/MS based assays. Josh then worked for 4 years in both a CRO (BRI Biopharmaceutical Research Inc.) and a pharmaceutical company (QLT Inc.) developing and running LC/MS/MS assays in support of DMPK/ADME studies for regulatory submissions. With a keen interest in biochemical mechanisms of disease, Josh returned to academia and has recently completed a PhD in Experimental Medicine (2018, University of British Columbia). His studies focused on atherosclerosis, specifically mechanisms of foam cell formation in arterial smooth muscle cells. Josh has also recently joined the Newborn Screening Laboratory at Children's Hospital in Vancouver, Canada as a Development Lead.

Relevant Financial Disclosures (within past 24 months) No relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose. Discussing Products? NO, presenter will NOT present educational content related to products/services of the ineligible company(ies) listed above. Conflict mitigation NOT REQUIRED.

Atherosclerosis is the major cause of heart attacks and strokes, which are together the leading cause of death worldwide. The clinical driving force behind atherosclerosis is deposition of cholesterol in the arterial wall of susceptible arteries via infiltration and retention of circulating low density lipoprotein (LDL). In addition to macrophages, smooth muscle cells can contribute significantly to the foam cell population in atherosclerosis. Here we utilize LC/MS/MS to investigate the accumulation of cholesterol and downstream formation of 27-hydroxycholesterol in arterial cells in vivo and in vitro. Results of these studies are to be presented.