T-Mem GEne in Atherosclerosis (GEMMA)

Role of T-Mem GEne in the Molecular Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular diseases and is characterized by the progressive accumulation of lipids and inflammatory cells such as macrophages and lymphocytes within the vessel wall of large and medium-sized arteries, forming the so-called "atherosclerotic plaques". The formation process of these lesions is different depending on the age, genetics and physiological state of the individual affected. Furthermore, behavioral factors and the lifestyle of each individual play a key role, which can lead to the presence of a series of pro-atherosclerotic pathologies and risk factors, such as in particular systemic arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and cigarette smoking. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying this pathogenetic process are still under investigation.

The results of a study conducted in the past in collaboration between the U.O. have recently been published. of Vascular Surgery and the laboratory of Dr. I. Zucchi of the Institute of Biomedical Technologies of the CNR of Milan Segrate (Protocol GEMMA NUOVA, 16/int/2016), which describes that the overexpression of a newly identified gene (TMEM230) it may have a role in the formation of atherosclerotic vascular disorders, but it is still unclear how the expression of this gene is modulated in vivo.

Knowledge of these factors would increase the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis and could represent a possible target for prevention and targeted pharmacological treatment, with consequent potential reduction in disability or mortality from cardiovascular diseases.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Atherosclerosis
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: surgery for artherial and/or venous diseases

Detailed Description

The proposed study aims to analyze, in patients suffering from vascular pathologies, the modulation of the expression of the TMEM230 gene, identified in the laboratory of Dr. I. Zucchi of the Institute of Biomedical Technologies (CNR of Milan Segrate), and its role in the molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis.

This collaboration aims to collect a series of patients with different vascular pathologies.

This is a transversal genetic study, which involves the analysis of approximately 12 samples of vascular tissue of various types coming from the intraoperative removal of material that is normally disposed of in appropriate containers for biological waste. In particular, the vascular samples will be represented by: varicose veins (for varicectomies), carotid/femoral plaque (for thromboendarterectomy), artery wall (for aneurysmectomy/limb amputations). Alongside the collection of these samples, 5 ml of venous blood will also be collected from a peripheral venous access already positioned on the patient for the surgical procedure, regardless of the study in question.

The study requires that the samples taken be temporarily stored in order to guarantee correct analysis, according to the methods described below, and destroyed at the end of the study.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 12

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Mattia Ricotti; Phone Number: +390252774236; Email: mattia.ricotti@grupposandonato.it

Study Locations

• Italy
  • Milan
    • San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy, 20097
      • Recruiting
      • I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico San Donato
      • Contact: Daniela Mazzaccaro, MD, PhD; Phone Number: 4341 + 39 025277; Email: daniela.mazzaccaro@grupposandonato.it
      • Contact: Giovanni Nano, MD, PhD; Phone Number: 4341 + 39 025277; Email: giovanni.nano@grupposandonato.it

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: N/A

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

All patients coming to the Operative Unit of Vascular Surgery at IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, needing open surgical intervention for arterial and/or venous pathologies

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• adult patients (age > 18 years)
• consent to participate in the study,
• patients coming to the Vascular Surgery Unit I of the IRCCS Policlinico San Donato for a vascular pathology of the arterial or venous district worthy of surgical treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

• minor patients,
• patients who have not given their consent to participate in the study,
• patients who have vascular pathologies of the arterial or venous district not susceptible to surgical intervention.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
T-Mem expression	Analysis of the gene expression profile in different vascular and blood samples.	through study completion, an average of 2 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
3D organoids	Generation of pathological 3D organoids from patient vascular samples, to study the modulation of gene expression, also using sequencing techniques.	through study completion, an average of 2 years

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: IRCCS Policlinico S. Donato

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Virani SS, Alonso A, Benjamin EJ, Bittencourt MS, Callaway CW, Carson AP, Chamberlain AM, Chang AR, Cheng S, Delling FN, Djousse L, Elkind MSV, Ferguson JF, Fornage M, Khan SS, Kissela BM, Knutson KL, Kwan TW, Lackland DT, Lewis TT, Lichtman JH, Longenecker CT, Loop MS, Lutsey PL, Martin SS, Matsushita K, Moran AE, Mussolino ME, Perak AM, Rosamond WD, Roth GA, Sampson UKA, Satou GM, Schroeder EB, Shah SH, Shay CM, Spartano NL, Stokes A, Tirschwell DL, VanWagner LB, Tsao CW; American Heart Association Council on Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2020 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2020 Mar 3;141(9):e139-e596. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000757. Epub 2020 Jan 29.
• Tian K, Xu Y, Sahebkar A, Xu S. CD36 in Atherosclerosis: Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2020 Aug 9;22(10):59. doi: 10.1007/s11883-020-00870-8.
• Cocola C, Magnaghi V, Abeni E, Pelucchi P, Martino V, Vilardo L, Piscitelli E, Consiglio A, Grillo G, Mosca E, Gualtierotti R, Mazzaccaro D, La Sala G, Di Pietro C, Palizban M, Liuni S, DePedro G, Morara S, Nano G, Kehler J, Greve B, Noghero A, Marazziti D, Bussolino F, Bellipanni G, D'Agnano I, Gotte M, Zucchi I, Reinbold R. Transmembrane Protein TMEM230, a Target of Glioblastoma Therapy. Front Cell Neurosci. 2021 Nov 17;15:703431. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2021.703431. eCollection 2021.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 28, 2023
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 27, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 19, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): January 30, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 7, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 1, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Arteriosclerosis; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Atherosclerosis; Surgical Procedures, Operative
• Other Study ID Numbers: GEMMA V1 - 35/int/2023

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No