Arylsulfatase enzymes and artery hardening
The Role of Arylsulfatase in Vascular Calcification
Researchers are looking at whether two enzymes (ARSE and SULF1) cause calcium to build up in arteries and if blocking them could lower the chance of heart attack and stroke in people with atherosclerosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11324021 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project combines genetic analysis from more than 22,000 people with lab experiments on human vascular smooth muscle cells and tests in mice. The team identified genetic variants near the ARSE gene linked to coronary artery calcification and found that blocking ARSE or SULF1 stopped calcification in cell models. They will map the molecular steps by which these enzymes drive calcium deposits and test interventions in mouse models lacking SULF1. The aim is to find specific targets that could prevent or reverse artery calcification that leads to heart attacks and strokes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or high coronary artery calcium scores, and those willing to provide genetic or blood samples, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People whose cardiovascular issues are unrelated to artery calcification, or who cannot provide samples or access participating sites, are less likely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new treatments that prevent or reverse calcium buildup in arteries and reduce heart attack and stroke risk.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier genetic studies plus preliminary lab and mouse experiments support a role for these sulfatases in calcification, but benefits in people have not yet been demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Malhotra, Rajeev — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Malhotra, Rajeev
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.