Age- and region-specific lab models of the brain’s small blood vessels
Reverse engineering zonation-specific and age-specific iPSC-derived cerebrovascular models based on transcriptomic profiling of the human brain
This project builds lab-grown versions of brain blood vessel cells that reflect different vessel types and ages to help understand how aging and disease affect brain circulation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11168778 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use human stem cells and gene activity maps from human brain samples to create brain microvascular cells that match artery- or vein-like identities across different brain zones. They will perform pooled genetic screens to find combinations of transcription factors that steer cells toward these zonation-specific identities and grow the cells in 3-D environments with age-related signals like aged serum. The team will compare gene expression and functional features across zones and ages to see how aging changes vascular cells. These lab models aim to mimic human cerebrovascular zonation and aging so scientists can study vascular contributions to brain diseases and aging.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who could be asked to participate include donors of blood, skin cells, or brain tissue—especially older adults and people with Alzheimer’s, other neurodegenerative diseases, or cerebrovascular disorders.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment are unlikely to get direct clinical benefit from this laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the models could reveal how aging harms brain blood vessels and guide development of therapies to protect brain health.
How similar studies have performed: Other teams have made iPSC-derived blood–brain barrier and vascular models with useful findings, but combining zonation, aging signals, and pooled genetic screens is a newer approach with limited precedent.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Searson, Peter C — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Searson, Peter C
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.