Adipose MTP and FIT2: how fat tissue controls cholesterol, obesity, and heart disease
Official title: Adipose MTP and FIT2 in the regulation of plasma lipids, obesity and atherosclerosis
Funded at New York University D/b/a NYU Long Island School of Medicine · NIH-11327664 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team at NYU Langone studies how fat tissue proteins MTP and FIT2 influence cholesterol levels, obesity, and atherosclerosis in order to find new ways to prevent heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University D/b/a NYU Long Island School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mineola, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $626,110 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL160470-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11327664 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include adults at risk for or with ASCVD who have high triglycerides or abnormal lipid profiles and are interested in future trials based on fat-tissue biology.
✕Less likely to help
People without ASCVD or abnormal lipid metabolism may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This project explores how two fat-tissue proteins, MTP and FIT2, influence lipid metabolism and inflammation that contribute to atherosclerosis. Researchers will study mice with altered MTP or FIT2 in adipose tissue to understand effects on body fat, liver fat, and artery disease, and will examine the mechanisms by which these proteins change lipase activity and lipid processing. The work combines mouse models with detailed molecular analyses to map how adipose tissue communicates with the liver and blood vessels in the context of ASCVD. The goal is to identify targets in fat tissue that could lower harmful lipids and reduce cardiovascular risk for people with atherosclerotic disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal new fat-tissue targets to lower dangerous lipids and reduce heart disease risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that adipose MTP and FIT2 dramatically affect lipid handling and disease in animal models, supporting potential relevance to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University D/b/a NYU Long Island School of Medicine
Mineola, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hussain, M Mahmood — New York University D/b/a NYU Long Island School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Hussain, M Mahmood
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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.