A newly found artery‑wall cell that shapes plaque and heart disease
Adventitial Fibroblast Phenotypic Modulation in Atherosclerosis
Researchers are focusing on a newly discovered artery‑wall cell that may help prevent or reduce plaque in people with or at risk for heart and blood vessel disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325034 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies a previously overlooked cell type in the outer layer of blood vessels, called adventitial fibroblasts, using both human plaque samples and mouse models. Scientists will use single‑cell gene profiling and a genetic tool to remove or alter these cells and watch how plaques and calcification change. The team will combine human tissue analysis, advanced molecular methods, and animal experiments to identify signals from the vessel wall that drive atherosclerosis. Results are intended to reveal new, specific targets for therapies that act on these outside‑in signals.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or at high risk who can provide tissue or blood samples, such as patients undergoing vascular surgery or catheter procedures.
Not a fit: People without atherosclerosis, those unwilling to provide tissue or blood samples, or those seeking immediate treatment effects are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that target artery‑wall cells to slow, prevent, or reverse atherosclerotic plaque and reduce heart attack and stroke risk.
How similar studies have performed: Cell‑targeted approaches have yielded important advances in vascular disease, but specifically targeting adventitial fibroblasts is novel and largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Paul Po Sheng — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Paul Po Sheng
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.