Doctoral defence 4.10.2024: Juuso Taskinen

Doctoral defence on Friday 4.10.2024 at 12:15-14:15

Juuso Taskinen: The role of endoplasmic reticulum membrane contact sites in human endothelial cells.

Metsätieteiden talo, Raisio-sali (ls B2), Latokartanokaari 7, Helsinki

Juuso Taskinen, from the Lipid Signaling and Homeostasis group at the Minerva Institute, will defend his dissertation on October 4, 2024, on the role of membrane contacts in the physiology of endothelial cells.

Endothelial cells form the inner lining of blood and lymphatic vessels, regulating, among other things, the transport of nutrients and oxygen between blood and tissues, hemostasis, blood clotting, and inflammatory responses. Disruptions in endothelial function play an important role in major public health diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. In his work, Taskinen studied the global effects of inhibiting or reducing the components of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-formed membrane contacts on endothelial cell function, using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) as a model. He reduced these contacts by decreasing the levels of VAPA and VAPB proteins or pharmacologically inhibiting the activity of OSBP or ORP7 proteins involved in these contacts. The results revealed the multifaceted effects of inhibiting these contacts on cell function and metabolism, including angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels), lipid composition (including cholesterol and cholesterol esters), the functioning of the ER and Golgi apparatus, and the cells’ stress and inflammatory responses. The work demonstrated the central role that ER membrane contact sites play in the function of healthy endothelial cells and provided insights into how disruptions in these contacts may contribute to disease development.

The dissertation was supervised by Prof. Vesa Olkkonen. Prof. Varpu Marjomäki from the University of Jyväskylä serves as the opponent and Prof. Pekka Lappalainen from the University of Helsinki as the custos. The public defense will take place on October 4, 2024, at 12:00 in the Raisio Hall (lecture hall B2) of the Forest Sciences Building, Latokartanokaari 7, Helsinki.