Vascular ageing plays a crucial role in many chronic diseases. One of the primary risk factors associated with this process is the increase in arterial stiffness. When arteries lose their elasticity, they can no longer effectively absorb fluctuations in blood pressure, which can precede issues such as hypertension and lead to various serious pathologies.
The Consequences of Arterial Stiffness
- Heart Diseases (35% of individuals over 65): Arterial stiffness places additional strain on the left ventricle, leading to heart failure and, potentially, heart attacks.
- Cerebrovascular Diseases and Dementia (15% of individuals over 65): Stiffened arteries cause micro-damages in brain vessels, contributing to conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
An Innovative Approach: Multi-Scale Digital Twins
To address these challenges, the JuvenTwin project proposes a novel scientific approach based on the use of multi-scale digital twins. These advanced models allow researchers to study and potentially reverse age-related arterial stiffening.
Unlike current approaches that primarily target symptoms, this method focuses on restoring the mechanical properties of vascular cells, enabling a rejuvenation of arteries.
Complex Challenges
While promising, this strategy carries high risks, as mechanical forces in arteries interact with complex biological processes, such as:
- Inflammation,
- Gene expression.
To ensure balance, the project relies on advanced digital models to study these interactions and develop therapies that are both effective and safe.
JuvenTwin Project Objectives
The primary aim of the project is to restore stable mechanical regulation in patients’ arteries when this regulation is disrupted by ageing. To achieve this, JuvenTwin focuses on:
- Analysing the mechanisms by which arterial cells manage mechanical forces.
- Understanding the processes responsible for the progressive degradation of this regulation with age.
- Identifying personalised solutions to effectively restore this regulation.
A Broad Impact for European Citizens
In the long term, JuvenTwin could pave the way for preventive therapies to combat arterial stiffening and extend healthy lifespans for citizens across the European Union.
Multi-Scale Digital Twins: A Revolutionary Technology
Multi-scale digital twins are advanced digital models that replicate the behaviours, interactions, and mechanisms of biological, physical, or mechanical systems at various scales—from cellular to organ levels. This technology is at the heart of JuvenTwin’s innovative approach.