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Uyên Châu Nguyên wins UM Dissertation Prize 2025

Uyên Châu Nguyên wins UM Dissertation Prize 2025

29 January 2026

During the Dies Natalis of Maastricht University, Uyên Châu Nguyên received the UM Dissertation Prize 2025.

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Global research network launched to study menopause and heart health

Global research network launched to study menopause and heart health

20 January 2026

Ten international health research funders, including the Dutch Heart Foundation, are investing $10 million in a new global research network to improve early prevention of cardiovascular disease in women. The initiative focuses on understanding how menopause affects heart health and how early intervention can reduce risk.

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Carim Maastricht
Carim Maastricht

Jack Cleutjens

Associate professor

Dr Jack Cleutjens has been working for Maastricht University since 1985. After finishing his thesis 'Basement membrane heterogeneity' in 1989, he started working in the cardiovascular field as a post-doc on the regulation of the wound healing after myocardial infarction. His main interest is in the area of extracellular matrix remodeling, mainly collagen synthesis and degradation.

His area of focus is education and cardiovascular research. He is a specialist in the field of morphometry and (digital) microscopy. Jack Cleutjens is a member of the Dutch Society of Pathology, Experimental Pathology section and of the Dutch Society for Matrix Biology.

Focus areas:
• Cardiovascular examination
• Extracellular matrix turnover
• Myocardial infarction / atherosclerosis
• (Digital) microscopy
• Morphometry

 

Jack-cleutjens

Department of Pathology
Verheylaan 10, 6229 HX Maastricht
Room number: VH10 5.M1-002
T: +31(0)43 387 66 31

  • 2011
    • Goossens, G. H., Bizzarri, A., Venteclef, N., Essers, Y., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Konings, E., Jocken, J. W., Cajlakovic, M., Ribitsch, V., Clement, K., & Blaak, E. E. (2011). Increased adipose tissue oxygen tension in obese compared with lean men is accompanied by insulin resistance, impaired adipose tissue capillarization, and inflammation. Circulation, 124(1), 67-76. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.111.027813
    • Steegh, F. M., Gelens, M. A., Nieman, F. H. M., van Hooff, J. P., Cleutjens, J. P., van Suylen, R. J., Daemen, M. J., van Heurn, E. L., Christiaans, M. H., & Peutz-Kootstra, C. J. (2011). Early loss of peritubular capillaries after kidney transplantation.Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 22(6), 1024-1029. https://doi.org/10.1681/ASN.2010050531
    • Roijers, R. B., Debernardi, N., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Schurgers, L. J., Mutsaers, P. H. A., & van der Vusse, G. J. (2011). Microcalcifications in Early Intimal Lesions of Atherosclerotic Human Coronary Arteries. American Journal of Pathology, 178(6), 2879-2887. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajpath.2011.02.004
  • 2010
    • Daniels, A., van Bilsen, M., Janssen, B. J. A., Brouns, A. E., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Roemen, T. H., Schaart, G., van der Velden, J., van der Vusse, G. J., & van Nieuwenhoven, F. A. (2010). Impaired cardiac functional reserve in type 2 diabetic db/db mice is associated with metabolic, but not structural, remodelling. Acta Physiologica, 200(1), 11-22. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-1716.2010.02102.x
    • Babiker, F. A., Lorenzen-Schmidt, I., Mokelke, E., Vanagt, W. Y., Delhaas, T., Waltenberger, J., Cleutjens, J. P., & Prinzen, F. W. (2010). Long-term protection and mechanism of pacing-induced postconditioning in the heart. Basic Research in Cardiology, 105(4), 523-533. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00395-010-0095-2
    • Bracke, K. R., Dentener, M. A., Papakonstantinou, E., Vernooy, J. H., Demoor, T., Pauwels, N. S., Cleutjens, J., van Suylen, R., Joos, G. F., Brusselle, G. G., & Wouters, E. F. (2010). Enhanced deposition of low-molecular-weight hyaluronan in lungs of cigarette smoke-exposed mice. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, 42(6), 753-761. https://doi.org/10.1165/rcmb.2008-0424OC
    • Lutgens, E., Lievens, D., Beckers, L., Wijnands, E., Soehnlein, O., Zernecke, A., Seijkens, T., Engel, D., Cleutjens, J., Keller, A. M., Naik, S. H., Boon, L., Oufella, H. A., Mallat, Z., Ahonen, C. L., Noelle, R. J., de Winther, M. P., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Biessen, E. A., & Weber, C. (2010). Deficient CD40-TRAF6 signaling in leukocytes prevents atherosclerosis by skewing the immune response toward an antiinflammatory profile. Journal of Experimental Medicine, 207(2), 391-404. https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20091293
  • 2009
    • De Goeij, J. M., De Kluijver, A., Van Duyl, F. C., Vacelet, J., Wijffels, R. H., De Goeij, A. F. P. M., Cleutjens, J. P. M., & Schutte, B. (2009). Cell kinetics of the marine sponge Halisarca caerulea reveal rapid cell turnover and shedding. Journal of Experimental Biology, 212(Pt 23), 3892-900. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.034561
    • van den Borne, S. W. M., van de Schans, V. A. M., Strzelecka, A. E., Vervoort-Peters, H. T. M., Lijnen, P. M., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Smits, J. F. M., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Janssen, B. J. A., & Blankesteijn, W. M. (2009). Mouse strain determines the outcome of wound healing after myocardial infarction. Cardiovascular Research, 84(2), 273-82. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvp207
    • Delnoij, T., van Suylen, R. J., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Schalla, S., & Bekkers, S. C. A. M. (2009). In vivo histology by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. European Heart Journal, 30(20), 2492. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehp319
    • Russell, N. S., Hoving, S., Heeneman, S., Hage, J. J., Woerdeman, L. A. E., de Bree, R., Lohuis, P. J. F. M., Smeele, L., Cleutjens, J., Valenkamp, A., Dorresteijn, L. D. A., Dalesio, O., Daemen, M. J., & Stewart, F. A. (2009). Novel insights into pathological changes in muscular arteries of radiotherapy patients. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 92(3), 477-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2009.05.021
    • Debats, I. B., Booi, D. I., Wehrens, K. M., Cleutjens, J., Deutz, N. E., Hogen, E., Bemelmans, M. H., & van der Hulst, R. R. (2009). Oral Arginine Supplementation and the Effect on Skin Graft Donor Sites: A Randomized Clinical Pilot Study. Journal of burn care & research, 30(3), 417-426. https://doi.org/10.1097/BCR.0b013e3181a28c15
    • Punt, I. M., Cleutjens, J. P. M., de Bruin, T., Willems, P. C., Kurtz, S. M., van Rhijn, L. W., Schurink, G. W. H., & van Ooij, A. (2009). Periprosthetic tissue reactions observed at revision of total intervertebral disc arthroplasty. Biomaterials, 30(11), 2079-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2008.12.071
    • Schellings, M. W. M., Vanhoutte, D., Swinnen, M., Cleutjens, J. P., Debets, J., van Leeuwen, R. E. W., d'Hooge, J., Van de Werf, F., Carmeliet, P., Pinto, Y. M., Sage, E. H., & Heymans, S. (2009). Absence of SPARC results in increased cardiac rupture and dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction. Journal of Experimental Medicine, 206(1), 113-23. https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20081244
    • Debats, I. B., Wolfs, T. G., Gotoh, T., Cleutjens, J. P., Kootstra, C. J., & van der Hulst, R. R. (2009). Role of arginine in superficial wound healing in man.Nitric Oxide-Biology and Chemistry, 21(3-4), 175-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.niox.2009.07.006
  • 2008
    • Sluimer, J. C., Gasc, J. M., Hamming, I., van Goor, H., Michaud, A., van den Akker, L. H., Jütten, B., Cleutjens, J., Bijnens, A. P. J. J., Corvol, P., Daemen, M. J. A. P., & Heeneman, S. (2008). Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression and activity in human carotid atherosclerotic lesions. Journal of Pathology, 215(3), 273-9. https://doi.org/10.1002/path.2357
    • Donners, M. M. P. C., Beckers, L., Lievens, D., Munnix, I., Heemskerk, J., Janssen, B. J., Wijnands, E., Cleutjens, J., Zernecke, A., Weber, C., Ahonen, C. L., Benbow, U., Newby, A. C., Noelle, R. J., Daemen, M. J. A. P., & Lutgens, E. (2008). The CD40-TRAF6 axis is the key regulator of the CD40/CD40L system in neointima formation and arterial remodeling. Blood, 111(9), 4596-604. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2007-05-088906
    • van den Borne, S. W. M., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Hanemaaijer, R., Creemers, E. E., Smits, J. F. M., Daemen, M. J. A. P., & Blankesteijn, W. M. (2008). Increased matrix metalloproteinase-8 and -9 activity in patients with infarct rupture after myocardial infarction. Cardiovascular Pathology, 18(1), 37-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carpath.2007.12.012
    • Smeets, P. J. H., Teunissen, B. E. J., Willemsen, P. H. M., van Nieuwenhoven, F. A., Brouns, A. E., Janssen, B. J. A., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Staels, B., van der Vusse, G. J., & van Bilsen, M. (2008). Cardiac hypertrophy is enhanced in PPAR alpha-/- mice in response to chronic pressure overload. Cardiovascular Research, 78(1), 79-89. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvn001
    • Sluimer, J. C., Gasc, J.-M., van Wanroij, J. L., Kisters, N., Groeneweg, M., Sollewijn Gelpke, M. D., Cleutjens, J. P., van den Akker, L. H., Corvol, P., Wouters, B. G., Daemen, M. J., & Bijnens, A.-P. J. (2008). Hypoxia, hypoxia-inducible transcription factor, and macrophages in human atherosclerotic plaques are correlated with intraplaque angiogenesis. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 51(13), 1258-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2007.12.025
    • Roijers, R. B., Dutta, R. K., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Mutsaers, P. H. A., de Goeij, J. J. M., & van der Vusse, G. J. (2008). Early calcifications in human coronary arteries as determined with a proton microprobe. Analytical Chemistry, 80(1), 55-61. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac0706628
  • 2007
    • Bruggink, A. H., van Oosterhout, M. F. M., de Jonge, N., Cleutjens, J. P. M., van Wichen, D. F., van Kuik, J., Tilanus, M. G. J., Gmelig-Meyling, F. H. J., van den Tweel, J. G., & de Weger, R. A. (2007). Type IV collagen degradation in the myocardial basement membrane after unloading of the failing heart by a left ventricular assist device. Laboratory Investigation, 87(11), 1125-37. https://doi.org/10.1038/labinvest.3700670
    • Cheng, Y. Y. Y., Pels, E., Cleutjens, J. P. M., van Suylen, R. J., Hendrikse, F., & Nuijts, R. M. M. A. (2007). Corneal endothelial viability after femtosecond laser preparation of posterior lamellar discs for Descemet-stripping endothelial keratoplasty. Cornea, 26(9), 1118-22. https://doi.org/10.1097/ICO.0b013e31814531d1
    • Megens, R. T. A., Oude Egbrink, M. G. A., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Kuijpers, M. J. E., Schiffers, P. H. M., Merkx, M., Slaaf, D. W., & van Zandvoort, M. A. M. J. (2007). Imaging collagen in intact viable healthy and atherosclerotic arteries using fluorescently labeled CNA35 and two-photon laser scanning microscopy. Molecular Imaging, 6(4), 247-60. https://doi.org/10.2310/7290.2007.00021
    • Driesen, R. B., Verheyen, F. K., Dijkstra, P., Thoné, F., Cleutjens, J. P., Lenders, M.-H., Ramaekers, F. C. S., & Borgers, M. (2007). Structural remodelling of cardiomyocytes in the border zone of infarcted rabbit heart. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 302(1-2), 225-232. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-007-9445-2
    • Lerut, E., Kuypers, D. R., Verbeken, E., Cleutjens, J., Vlaminck, H., Vanrenterghem, Y., & Van Damme, B. (2007). Acute rejection in non-compliant renal allograft recipients: a distinct morphology. Clinical Transplantation, 21(3), 344-351. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-0012.2007.00647.x
  • 2006
    • Buehler, A., van Zandvoort, M. A. M. J., Stelt, B. J., Hackeng, T. M., Schrans-Stassen, B. H. G. J., Bennaghmouch, A., Hofstra, L., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Duijvestijn, A., Smeets, M. B., de Kleijn, D. P. V., Post, M. J., & de Muinck, E. D. (2006). cNGR: a novel homing sequence for CD13/APN targeted molecular imaging of murine cardiac angiogenesis in vivo. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 26(12), 2681-7. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.ATV.0000245807.65714.0b
    • Bruggink, A. H., van Oosterhout, M. F. M., de Jonge, N., Ivangh, B., van Kuik, J., Voorbij, R. H. A. M., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Gmelig-Meyling, F. H. J., & de Weger, R. A. (2006). Reverse remodeling of the myocardial extracellular matrix after prolonged left ventricular assist device support follows a biphasic pattern. Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 25(9), 1091-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healun.2006.05.011
    • Vanagt, W. Y., Cornelussen, R. N., Poulina, Q. P., Blaauw, E., Vernooy, K., Cleutjens, J. P., van Bilsen, M., Delhaas, T., & Prinzen, F. W. (2006). Pacing-induced dys-synchrony preconditions rabbit myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury. Circulation, 114(1 Suppl), I264-9. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.000893
  • 2005
    • Schurgers, L. J., Teunissen, K. J. F., Knapen, M. H. J., Kwaijtaal, M., van Diest, R., Appels, A., Reutelingsperger, C. P., Cleutjens, J. P. M., & Vermeer, C. (2005). Novel conformation-specific antibodies against matrix gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) protein: undercarboxylated matrix Gla protein as marker for vascular calcification. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 25(8), 1629-33. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.ATV.0000173313.46222.43
  • 2004
    • Sharma, U. C., Pokharel, S., van Brakel, T. J., van Berlo, J. H., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Schroen, B., André, S., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Gabius, H.-J., Maessen, J., & Pinto, Y. M. (2004). Galectin-3 marks activated macrophages in failure-prone hypertrophied hearts and contributes to cardiac dysfunction. Circulation, 110(19), 3121-8. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.0000147181.65298.4D
    • Pokharel, S., van Geel, P. P., Sharma, U. C., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Bohnemeier, H., Tian, X.-L., Schunkert, H., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Paul, M., & Pinto, Y. M. (2004). Increased myocardial collagen content in transgenic rats overexpressing cardiac angiotensin-converting enzyme is related to enhanced breakdown of N-acetyl-Ser-Asp-Lys-Pro and increased phosphorylation of Smad2/3. Circulation, 110(19), 3129-35. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.0000147180.87553.79
    • Schroen, B., Heymans, S., Sharma, U., Blankesteijn, W. M., Pokharel, S., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Porter, J. G., Evelo, C. T. A., Duisters, R., van Leeuwen, R. E. W., Janssen, B. J. A., Debets, J. J. M., Smits, J. F. M., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Bornstein, P., & Pinto, Y. M. (2004). Thrombospondin-2 is essential for myocardial matrix integrity: increased expression identifies failure-prone cardiac hypertrophy. Circulation Research, 95(5), 515-522. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.RES.0000141019.20332.3e
    • De Celle, T., Cleutjens, J. P., Blankesteijn, W. M., Debets, J. J., Smits, J. F., & Janssen, B. J. (2004). Long-term structural and functional consequences of cardiac ischaemia-reperfusion injury in vivo in mice. Experimental Physiology, 89(5), 605-15. https://doi.org/10.1113/expphysiol.2004.027649
    • Kornet, L., Bergen, A. A. B., Hoeks, A. P. G., Cleutjens, J. P., Oostra, R.-J., Daemen, M. J., van Soest, S., & Reneman, R. S. (2004). In patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum a thicker and more elastic carotid artery is associated with elastin fragmentation and proteoglycans accumulation. Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 30(8), 1041-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2004.06.004
    • Xia, Q.-G., Reinecke, A., Dorenkamp, M., Storz, C., Bitterling, H., Penz, S., Cleutjens, J., Daemen, M. J., Simon, R., & Unger, T. (2004). Comparison of cardioprotective effects of mibefradil and ramipril in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 25(6), 763-768.
    • Kolbach, D. N., Hamulyák, K., Prins, M. H., Neumann, H. A., & Cleutjens, J. P. (2004). Severity of venous insufficiency is related to the density of microvascular deposition of PAI-1, uPA and von Willebrand factor. Vasa-European Journal of Vascular Medicine, 33(1), 19-24. https://doi.org/10.1024/0301-1526.33.1.19
    • Lutgens, L. C. H. W., Deutz, N., Granzier-Peeters, M., Beets-Tan, R. G. H., de Ruysscher, D. K. M., Gueulette, J., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Berger, M. P. F., Wouters, B. G., von Meyenfeldt, M. F., & Lambin, P. (2004). Plasma citrulline concentration: a surrogate end point for radiation-induced mucosal atrophy of the small bowel. A feasibility study in 23 patients.International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, 60(1), 275-85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2004.02.052
  • 2003
    • Lutgens, L. C. H. W., Deutz, N. E. P., Gueulette, J., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Berger, M. P. F., Wouters, B. G., von Meyenfeldt, M. F., & Lambin, P. (2003). Citrulline: a physiologic marker enabling quantitation and monitoring of epithelial radiation-induced small bowel damage. International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, 57(4), 1067-1074. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0360-3016(03)00781-8
    • Heeneman, S., Cleutjens, J. P., Faber, B. C., Creemers, E. E., van Suylen, R.-J., Lutgens, E., Cleutjens, K. B., & Daemen, M. J. (2003). The dynamic extracellular matrix: intervention strategies during heart failure and atherosclerosis. Journal of Pathology, 200(4), 516-25. https://doi.org/10.1002/path.1395
    • Creemers, E. E. J. M., Davis, J. N., Parkhurst, A. M., Leenders, P., Dowdy, K. B., Hapke, E., Hauet, A. M., Escobar, P. G., Cleutjens, J. P. M., Smits, J. F. M., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Zile, M. R., & Spinale, F. G. (2003). Deficiency of TIMP-1 exacerbates LV remodeling after myocardial infarction in mice. American Journal of Physiology-heart and Circulatory Physiology, 284(1), H364-71. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.00511.2002
  • 2002
    • Cleutjens, J. P. M., & Creemers, E. E. J. M. (2002). Integration of concepts: cardiac extracellular matrix remodeling after myocardial infarction. Journal of Cardiac Failure, 8(6 Suppl), S344-348. https://doi.org/10.1054/jcaf.2002.129261
    • Lardenoye, J. H. P., de Vries, M. R., Löwik, C. W. G. M., Xu, Q., Dhore, C. R., Cleutjens, J. P. M., van Hinsbergh, V. W. M., van Bockel, J. H., & Quax, P. H. A. (2002). Accelerated atherosclerosis and calcification in vein grafts: a study in APOE*3 Leiden transgenic mice. Circulation Research, 91(7), 577-84. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.res.0000036901.58329.d7
    • Ratajska, A., & Cleutjens, J. P. M. (2002). Embryogenesis of the rat heart: the expression of collagenases. Basic Research in Cardiology, 97(3), 189-97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s003950200011
  • 2001
    • Dhore, C. R., Cleutjens, J. P., Lutgens, E., Cleutjens, K. B., Geusens, P. P., Kitslaar, P. J., Tordoir, J. H., Spronk, H. M., Vermeer, C., & Daemen, M. J. (2001). Differential expression of bone matrix regulatory proteins in human atherosclerotic plaques. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 21(12), 1998-2003. https://doi.org/10.1161/hq1201.100229
    • Spronk, H. M., Soute, B. A., Schurgers, L. J., Cleutjens, J. P., Thijssen, H. H., De Mey, J. G., & Vermeer, C. (2001). Matrix Gla protein accumulates at the border of regions of calcification and normal tissue in the media of the arterial vessel wall. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 289(2), 485-90. https://doi.org/10.1006/bbrc.2001.5996
    • van Eickels, M., Grohé, C., Cleutjens, J. P., Janssen, B. J., Wellens, H. J., & Doevendans, P. A. (2001). 17beta-estradiol attenuates the development of pressure-overload hypertrophy. Circulation, 104(12), 1419-23. https://doi.org/10.1161/hc3601.095577
    • Blankesteijn, W. M., Creemers, E., Lutgens, E., Cleutjens, J. P., Daemen, M. J., & Smits, J. F. (2001). Dynamics of cardiac wound healing following myocardial infarction: observations in genetically altered mice. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica, 173(1), 75-82. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-201X.2001.00887.x
    • Creemers, E. E., Cleutjens, J. P., Smits, J. F., & Daemen, M. J. (2001). Matrix metalloproteinase inhibition after myocardial infarction: a new approach to prevent heart failure?Circulation Research, 89(3), 201-10. https://doi.org/10.1161/hh1501.094396
    • van Gijn, M. E., Snel, F., Cleutjens, J. P., Smits, J. F., & Blankesteijn, W. M. (2001). Overexpression of components of the Frizzled-Dishevelled cascade results in apoptotic cell death, mediated by beta-catenin. Experimental Cell Research, 265(1), 46-53. https://doi.org/10.1006/excr.2001.5174
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