Slava Epelman
Profile: Scientist, University Health Network
Research Interests:
The leading cause of worldwide mortality is cardiovascular disease. After an initiating event, the immune system regulates both cardiac tissue injury and repair. Despite significant investment, we have an incomplete understanding of the immune cells and pathways involved. Phagocytes are an evolutionary conserved immune lineage. We have shown that the macrophage is a specialized mononuclear phagocyte that resides in all tissues from the earliest stages of development, and is critical for tissue regeneration after cardiac injury. We are exploring therapies that enhance macrophage-mediated regeneration of cardiac tissue as a novel therapeutic avenue.