Grant: Catalyst Grant: Sex as a Variable in Biomedical Research

Every 10 minutes a Canadian suffers a stroke. Stroke kills more women than men each year. They are mainly caused by the build-up of fatty deposits (plaques) in the arteries of the neck, that can break-off and travel to the brain. We only know for sure if a plaque is dangerous when it is removed by surgery and assessed under the microscope. Often this is too late as the patient may have already suffered a stroke. It is known that men have more dangerous plaques than women. Thus, research is necessary to understand the different mechanisms that lead to dangerous plaques in women and men. Current knowledge: 1.Some cells in plaques, called macrophages (Mfs), can make the plaque more dangerous. Mfs come from cells in the blood called monocytes. When monocytes enter the plaque, they become Mfs. 2.Adiponectin is a substance in the body that may protect our arteries from developing dangerous plaques. To work, adiponectin is like a key that must attach to its lock on a cell (monocyte or macrophage). Those locks are called receptors. Defects in these receptors may cause dangerous plaques. Research objectives: 1.Assess if women and men have differences in adiponectin receptors on their monocytes and Mfs when they have either dangerous or harmless plaques. 2.Assess if women and men have different defects in the adiponectin receptors on monocytes and Mfs that make plaques more dangerous. Undertake: We will include women and men having a surgery to remove the plaques (dangerous or harmless) from their neck arteries. We will use advanced lab methods to address our research objectives. Impact: ARTERY will identify differences between women and men in adiponectin receptors and if these differences lead to more or less dangerous plaques. In the future, our study may help us find markers to predict dangerous plaques, and new targets for therapy, leading to better care specifically designed for women and for men. Ultimately, this could prevent strokes and save many lives!