Connective Issues Winter 2026

DONOR POWER Advancing Bold, Global Research

For researchers studying genetic aortic and vascular conditions like Marfan, Loeys-Dietz, and VEDS, the biggest breakthroughs often begin with the hardest questions that don’t currently have clear answers, established methods, or guaranteed results. That’s exactly where the Marfan Foundation comes in. Through the generosity of donors, the Foundation invests in innovative research through its grant program with the goal of changing how genetic aortic and vascular condi tions are understood, treated, and prevented. A Global Team, United by a Shared Mission The largest grant available through the Foundation is the Everest award. The 2023 recipients have received $440,000 to date and include a global research team led by Julie De Backer, MD, PhD (Belgium); Hiromi Yanagisawa, MD, PhD (Japan/United States); and Patrick Sips, PhD (Belgium). They were united by a shared goal of understanding what triggers aortic dissection before it happens. This international project brings together complemen tary expertise and perspectives. The teams communicate constantly, from frequent emails to monthly online video calls, ensuring that discoveries are shared quickly. “We bring diverse expertise and research/cultural backgrounds, so we can envision the problem through manydi ff erent eyes,” said Dr. De Backer. “Each team has complementary expertise, leading to a strong synergism in the execution of the project. It’s a reminder that when researchers collaborate across borders, progress accelerates.” Inspired by Patients, Driven by Purpose For many researchers like Dr. De Backer, their work is personal. She traces her path back to an inspiring high school biology teacher who sparked her interest in medi cine and early cardiology training where she was intrigued by rare genetic/congenital cardiovascular disease. “As a young doctor, I was touched by some of the stories and felt the need to try my best to help improve care,” she said. That connection only grew stronger through her work with the Marfan patient community in Belgium, which helped shape both her clinical and research priorities. For Dr. Yanagisawa, the motivation began with curiosity. “I was fascinated by the beauty and mystery of the human body,” she said. Over time, that curiosity evolved into a focus on the integrity of the aortic wall.

 Hiromi Yanagisawa, MD, PhD (left) and Julie De Backer, MD, PhD (right) with collaborating Everest award researcher Lynn Sakai, PhD (middle)

Finding Aortic Dissection’s Triggers At the heart of this project is one question: What trig gers an aortic dissection? Now, in their second year of Everest funding, the research team is uncovering something unexpected: the immune system may play a key role from the very beginning of aortic disease. “We now see that multiple cell types, including immune cells, known for their role in infections or autoimmune con ditions, play a significant role in the development of aortic disease in Marfan syndrome,” Dr. De Backer explained. “We need to further find out how and at what stage multiple cell interactions occur during disease development.” The team aims to better understand what triggers these pathological processes, which ultimately damage the aorta, with the goal of developing new strategies to prevent aortic dissection in patients. Guided by data from their Everest project, the team hopes to one day develop novel immunotherapy options to

“Funding through the Marfan Foundation represents a unique opportunity to drive novel research ideas forward, with the hope of creating a breakthrough in the field.” ~Dr. Julie De Backer

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