Blocking RGC-32 to prevent harmful artery wall changes
Targeting response gene to complement 32 to alleviate vascular remodeling
Researchers will try blocking a protein called RGC-32 to reduce harmful artery wall changes in people with conditions like pulmonary arterial hypertension and artery restenosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251971 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on a protein called RGC-32 that helps blood vessel lining cells change into scar-forming cells (a process called endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, or EndoMT). Scientists will work with human pulmonary artery endothelial cells in the lab, examine samples from patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, and use genetically modified mice to model disease. They will reduce or increase RGC-32 in cells and animals and measure endothelial and mesenchymal markers, blood vessel structure, and heart/pulmonary pressures. The goal is to connect findings from cells and mice to what is seen in patient tissues to guide future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with pulmonary arterial hypertension or patients who have artery restenosis or other forms of vascular remodeling and who might later join trials targeting RGC-32.
Not a fit: Patients without vascular remodeling or those with unrelated medical conditions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this primarily preclinical project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify a new target (RGC-32) for treatments that prevent or reduce artery wall scarring and complications such as pulmonary hypertension or restenosis.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and animal studies have connected RGC-32 and EndoMT to vascular disease, but directly targeting RGC-32 as a therapy remains largely untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Columbia, United States
- University of Missouri-Columbia — Columbia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Shiyou — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Chen, Shiyou
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.