CD31, APOE, and CRP: a pathway linked to Alzheimer's disease in people
Official title: Identification and characterization of the CD31-ApoE-mCRP pathway for Alzheimer's disease in humans.
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11456941 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Boston University Medical Campus will explore how a blood protein (CRP) and APOE variants interact with a specific brain blood vessel receptor (CD31) to influence inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease in humans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $768,281 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG075832-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11456941 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with varying APOE genotypes, particularly those at risk for or living with Alzheimer’s disease.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without the APOE4 risk allele or those without Alzheimer’s pathology may experience limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This research will examine whether the inflammatory protein CRP, the APOE genetic variants people carry, and the CD31 receptor on brain blood vessels work together to drive Alzheimer’s pathology in people. The team will study how mCRP binds to CD31 on brain endothelial cells and whether this interaction leads to increased CD31 phosphorylation, neuroinflammation, and vascular-related brain damage. By using human data and samples, the project aims to link these mechanisms to cognitive decline and disease progression in individuals with different APOE statuses (APOE4 > APOE3 > APOE2). The work has three aims that build on prior findings to test these relationships in humans and inform potential therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding this pathway could identify new targets to reduce inflammation and vascular contributions to Alzheimer’s, potentially slowing progression for people with certain APOE genes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests a link between CRP, APOE, and vascular factors in AD, with this project extending those findings to a human-focused mechanistic pathway.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Qiu, Wei Qiao Wendy — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Qiu, Wei Qiao Wendy
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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.