HomeArteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular BiologyVol. 42, No. 3German Camejo (1936–2021) Free AccessObituaryPDF/EPUBAboutView PDFView EPUBSections ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationsTrack citationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InMendeleyRedditDiggEmail Jump toFree AccessObituaryPDF/EPUBGerman Camejo (1936–2021) Olov Wiklund and Göran Bondjers Olov WiklundOlov Wiklund Correspondence to: Olov Wiklund, MD, PhD, Wallenberg Laboratory, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Bla Straket, Gothenburg 413 45, Sweden. Email E-mail Address: [email protected] https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1074-2094 Wallenberg Laboratory, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Search for more papers by this author and Göran BondjersGöran Bondjers Wallenberg Laboratory, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Search for more papers by this author Originally published23 Feb 2022https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.121.317330Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2022;42:241–242The pathophysiological mechanisms leading to atherosclerosis have been a matter of debate during the last century. Today, we think that a fundamental initiating factor for the development of atherosclerosis is the retention of apoB containing lipoproteins in the arterial intima. The pioneering studies on this mechanism were performed by German Camejo already in the early 1970s. It took decades before the model suggested by German Camejo was widely accepted, but it is now considered an established fact that lipoprotein retention is essential for the initiation of atherosclerosis.When German Camejo died on the 29th of November, we lost a researcher who had made the initial observations that took atherosclerosis research into a new era. Throughout his life, he continued research on lipoprotein retention and its role in the development of atherosclerosis.Download figureDownload PowerPointGerman Camejo was born in Venezuela, and after a Licentiate in Caracas he made his PhD at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in New York, United States. He returned to Caracas where he pursued his career at the Venezuelan Research Institute and the Central University of Venezuela. He was Principal researcher and Deputy Director at the Venezuelan Research Institute. He had a central role in the development of this institute to a highly ranked research laboratory.In 1986, German and his wife Eva were invited to spend a sabbatical at the Wallenberg laboratory at Sahlgrenska University Hospital at University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Although they were exposed to a very cold winter during the first winter in Gothenburg, the sabbatical was extended ultimately leading to a permanent stay in Gothenburg. Here, German had a position as researcher and professor of Clinical Biochemistry at the Wallenberg Laboratory. In 1990, he moved to AstraZeneca as a Principal Investigator, and Head of Department of Biochemistry. In that capacity, he retained his connections to the Wallenberg laboratory. After retirement from AstraZeneca, he was also appointed associate researcher at the Department of Clinical Chemistry, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm.German Camejo was associate editor for ATVB 1988 until 1994.German Camejo obtained several awards for his research:National Medal Andres Bello for Academic Merits 1984;National Medal Francisco de Miranda for Academic Merits 1988;National Science Journalists Association Medal for Science Achievements Humberto Fernandez Moran 2009.Throughout his career, German’ s major interest was to understand the interaction between the proteoglycans of the arterial wall and lipoproteins, and the role of this interaction in disease. After his first publications in the early 70s, a large number of scientific articles on this interaction were published. German characterized the proteoglycan components that have the highest affinity to apoB containing lipoproteins. Furthermore, the molecular characteristics of the lipoprotein-proteoglycan interaction were characterized and the structures of apoB binding to the arterial proteoglycans were identified. German showed how factors, such as hypoxia or drugs, may modulate the retention of lipoproteins in the arterial wall, and the local cellular inflammatory responses to the retention. He also showed that increased affinity of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) to arterial proteoglycans may be associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease.In addition to his focus on LDL retention, German was involved in several other studies in the field of lipoprotein metabolism and made also important methodological developments in the field of lipoprotein research. During his time as investigator at AstraZeneca, he was deeply involved in the development and characterization of PPAR modulators.Most recently, he, in collaboration with investigators at Karolinska Institute, showed how lipoproteins of the brown bear might be involved in protecting its arteries from atherosclerosis. This may mirror his interest in bears during his treks in the forests of Sweden.We, who collaborated closely with German, will remember him as a very generous and hospitable friend. Among the graduate students, he was a very popular mentor and supervisor. Through his wide knowledge he could always give good advice. His energy in discussions on scientific questions was irresistible. During the scientific seminars at the Wallenberg Laboratory, he was able to provide constructive advice far beyond his own area of research. Through his wide reading in all kinds of literature, he was an inspiring talking partner and he was a marvelous storyteller. During his rich global life from the jungles of Venezuela to New York and Sweden, he collected an experience that was an amazing source of good stories to share. German was a marvelous cook with specialties from all over the world, but mostly the Iberian dishes, such as 100 variants of paella.German is mourned by his wife Eva and their children Teobaldo, German Jr, Maqui, and Sarah Elena with their families.Article InformationDisclosuresNone.FootnotesFor Disclosures, see page 242.Correspondence to: Olov Wiklund, MD, PhD, Wallenberg Laboratory, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Bla Straket, Gothenburg 413 45, Sweden. Email olov.[email protected]gu.se Previous Back to top Next FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails March 2022Vol 42, Issue 3Article InformationMetrics © 2022 American Heart Association, Inc.https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.121.317330 Originally publishedFebruary 23, 2022 PDF download Advertisement