Author

Amena Aktar

Western University

Listed by name: these papers carry no ORCID for this author, so different people with the same name may be mixed together.

Biology Disciplines

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Immunology· 2

Signature Assays, Organisms & Methods

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Assay:bulk RNA-seq· 2 Research Focus:cell signaling & trafficking· 2 Organism:human· 2 Approach:statistical model· 2 Research Focus:cell type annotation· 1 Research Focus:chromatin & epigenetic regulation· 1 Approach:experimental assay· 1 Research Focus:host-pathogen & immune response· 1

Frequent Co-Authors

Angela M. Vrieze· 2 shared Bryan HeitiD· 2 shared Kiera TelesnickiiD· 2 shared Paisley Cox‐Duvall· 2 shared A. Dave Nagpal· 1 shared Charles YiniD· 1 shared Dave NagpaliD· 1 shared Kasia Wodz· 1 shared

Activity by Year

2025-2025 · peak 2/yr

Co-Author Collaboration Network

10 top collaborators · 37 mutual co-author links

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2 shared papersImmunology

Angela M. Vrieze

Mutual co-authors in cluster

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2 papers

Recent·Most cited

GATA2 Mediates Macrophage Proliferation During Atherosclerosis

Amena Aktar, Angela M. Vrieze, Kiera Telesnicki, Minhyuk Mun, Kasia Wodz, Charles Yin, Paisley Cox‐Duvall, Dave Nagpal, Bryan Heit

This study identifies GATA2 as a key transcription factor driving macrophage proliferation in atherosclerosis by upregulating MYB and reducing apoptosis sensitivity.

Journal of the American Heart Association · Oct 28, 2025Peer-reviewedImmunology

GATA2 Induces a Stem Cell-Like Transcriptional Program in Macrophages that Promotes Atherogenesis.

Amena Aktar, Angela M. Vrieze, Kiera Telesnicki, Paisley Cox‐Duvall, Matthew Arbolino, Rodney P. DeKoter, A. Dave Nagpal, Bryan Heit

This study shows that GATA2 upregulation in macrophages promotes atherogenesis by inducing a stem cell-like transcriptional program that impairs cholesterol efflux and phagocytosis.

bioRxiv · Jul 18, 2025 · PreprintImmunology