Postdoctoral Position in Metabolism and Vascular Function

USP-CEU welcomes postdoctoral researchers with an excellent track record to apply to the European Commission Marie Sklodowska-Curie (MSCA) Postodoctoral Felloships. Selected candidates will be provided with special assistance for proposal writing and development.

Research Project:

The candidate, according to her/his background and interests, may agree with the supervisor to develop one of the following priority lines of research in our Group:

• Exosome-mediated crosstalk between perivascular adipose tissue and aorta: role of AT₂R in obesity.

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) acts as an exocrine organ, releasing vasocontractile and vasorelaxant substances that modulate vascular function. In obesity, PVAT become dysfunctional, thus accounting for the development of endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. We have shown that angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT₂R) agonists reduce vascular damage in obesity. Using both in vivo and in vitro approaches, we aim to identify candidate miRNAs in PVAT-derived exosomes that could participate in the pathogenesis of vascular damage both in male and female mice. In addition, we would like to investigate if the beneficial effects of AT₂R agonism are related with a change in the miRNA fingerprint in PVAT-derived exosomes.

• Brown adipocyte transplantation as a therapeutic tool in atherosclerosis

Several studies have been conducted on rodents to determine the beneficial effects of brown adipose tissue (BAT) transplantation. In most of these studies, the BAT grafts originated from healthy adult mice were transplanted in obese or diabetic mice, showing metabolic benefit by increasing energy expenditure and improving insulin sensitivity. This approach could be of interest in the field of atherosclerosis due to the lipid clearance capacity of an active BAT. However, due to the difficulties to transpose this approach to humans, we believe that the transplantation of in vitro-activated brown adipocytes is a more promising approach. As a proof of concept, we aim to differentiate and activate a murine cell line of brown adipocytes in vitro. Once activated, cells will be transplanted into ApoE^-/^- mice. We will study the progression of the atherosclerotic lesion as well as the underlying mechanisms.

Hosting Group:

Prof. Marta Viana leads this multidisciplinary research team (Metabolism and Vascular function, MET-VASC), made up of clinical and basic researchers from different areas, specialized in the study of vascular alterations associated to metabolic diseases.

Our current research lines are summarized in:

1. Search for differential biomarkers between patients with morbid obesity and different metabolic profiles that allow to individualize and prioritize therapeutic actions.
2. Study of intertisular communication between perivascular adipose tissue and the artery as the origin of vascular dysfunction associated with obesity.
3. Brown adipose tissue transplantation as an anti-obesity tool after in vitro activation.
4. Activation of the protective branch of the renin-angiotensin system to prevent the loss of vascular function associated with obesity.

We have been granted with continuous competitive funding from Spanish Government and private research contracts with the industry. In the last 5 years, we have published 46 research papers among all the members of the group. Some examples can be found below:

1. González-Blázquez R, Alcalá M, Cárdenas-Rebollo JM, Viana M, Steckelings UM, Boisvert WA, Unger T, Fernández-Alfonso MS, Somoza B, Gil-Ortega M. AT2R stimulation with C21 prevents arterial stiffening and endothelial dysfunction in the abdominal aorta from mice fed a high-fat diet. Clin Sci (Lond). 2021 Dec 22;135(24):2763-2780. IF: 6.124 (Q1). ASSOCIATED PROJECT: Estudio de los mecanismos implicados en el desarrollo de rigidez arterial asociada a obesidad: papel del receptor AT₂ del tejido adiposo perivascular. Fundación Universitaria San Pablo CEU - Banco Santander FUSP-BS-PPC-USP03/2017. IP: Marta Gil Ortega. 2017-2019. 15 000€.

2. González-Blázquez R, Alcalá M, Fernández-Alfonso M, Steckelings UM, Lorenzo MP, Viana M, Boisvert W, Unger T, Ortega MG, Somoza B. C21 preserves endothelial function in the thoracic aorta from DIO mice: role for AT2, Mas and B2 receptors. Clin Sci (Lond). 2021 Apr 26:CS20210049. doi: 10.1042/CS20210049. IF: 6.124 (Q1). ASSOCIATED PROJECT: Estudio de los mecanismos implicados en el desarrollo de rigidez arterial asociada a obesidad: papel del receptor AT₂ del tejido adiposo perivascular. Fundación Universitaria San Pablo CEU - Banco Santander FUSP-BS-PPC-USP03/2017. IP: Marta Gil Ortega. 2017-2019. 15 000€.
3. Vega-Martín E, Gil-Ortega M, González-Blázquez R, Benedito S, Fernández-Felipe J, Ruiz-Gayo M, Del Olmo N, Chowen JA, Frago LM, Somoza B, Fernández-Alfonso MS. Differential Deleterious Impact of Highly Saturated Versus Monounsaturated Fat Intake on Vascular Function, Structure, and Mechanics in Mice. Nutrients. 2021 Mar 19;13(3):1003. doi: 10.3390/nu13031003. IF: 4.543 (Q1). ASSOCIATED PROJECT: Cross-talk entre los astrocitos hipotalámicos y el tejido adiposo perivascular en el metabolismo energético y la función cardiovascular: impacto de modificaciones en la dieta. Ministerio de Economía y competitividad (BFU2017-82565-C2-2-R). IP: Soledad Fernández Alfonso y Beatriz Somoza Hernández. 2018-2021. 90 000€.
4. González-Blázquez R, Alcalá M, Fernández-Alfonso MS, Villa Valverde P, Viana M, Gil-Ortega M, Somoza B. Relevance of Control Diet Choice in Metabolic Studies: Impact in Glucose Homeostasis and Vascular Function. Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 19;10(1):2902. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-59674-0. IF:4.380 (Q1). ASSOCIATED PROJECT: Estudio de los mecanismos implicados en el desarrollo de rigidez arterial asociada a obesidad: papel del receptor AT₂ del tejido adiposo perivascular. Fundación Universitaria San Pablo CEU - Banco Santander FUSP-BS-PPC-USP03/2017. IP: Marta Gil Ortega. 2017-2019. 15000€.
5. Gil-Ortega M, Vega-Martín E, Martín-Ramos M, González-Blázquez R, Pulido-Olmo H, Ruiz-Hurtado G, Schulz A, Ruilope LM, Kolkhof P, Somoza B, Kreutz R, Fernández-Alfonso MS. Finerenone reduces intrinsic arterial stiffness in Munich Wistar Frömter rats, a genetic model of chronic kidney disease. Am J Nephrol. 2020 Feb 21:1- 10. doi: 10.1159/000506275. IF:2.961 (Q1). ASSOCIATED PROJECT: Efecto de la finerenona en un modelo de nefropatía diabética en rata. Bayer Pharma. 2019-2021. 70 000€.

Keywords: Obesity, Brown Adipose Tissue, vascular dysfunction

Application profiles:

A solid background in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Cell Biology and Molecular Biology is required; previous experience with adipocytes cell culture and organ bath is an advantage. Candidates will be expected to develop their proposal tailored to their profile together with host supervisor. At the deadline for the submission of proposals (14/09/2022) candidates:

• Shall have a maximum of 8 years of postdoctoral research experience.
• Must not have resided or carried out their main activities in Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the abovementioned deadline.

An expression of interest shall be sent to Marta Viana. Your file should contain the following elements:

• A short CV (Max. 2 pages)
• A one-page research proposal
• A short statement explaining why CEU would be the best host institution for your research.
• Two letters of reference.