NIH-funded research P01 program project

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.

More Obesity research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeP01 program project
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNew York University D/b/a NYU Long Island School of Medicine
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Mineola, United States)
Project startMay 1, 2023
Project endApril 30, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$626,110
NIH project number5P01HL160470-04
Project IDNIH-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

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.