CD40's role in shaping natural antibody production and atherosclerosis
Official title: CD40: a gatekeeper of natural antibody production in atherosclerosis
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11458978 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant tests how immune signals involving CD40 and CD40L influence natural antibody production and plaque development in atherosclerosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $820,111 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL188641-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11458978 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with or at risk for ASCVD who could contribute blood samples or tissue-derived cells for laboratory studies and, in the future, may participate in related clinical investigations.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage mechanistic studies may not directly benefit patients in the short term, and results may inform future therapies rather than immediate treatments.
What this research studies
In this project, researchers at Mayo Clinic Rochester will investigate how different immune cells that carry CD40 or CD40L affect atherosclerotic disease. They will look at cell-specific pathways and how these signals change antibody production and plaque stability, aiming to identify targets that reduce damaging inflammation without weakening overall immunity. The work combines studies in animal models and human-derived cells to map which cell types drive protective versus harmful responses in arteries. The goal is to find precise ways to modulate immunity to prevent heart disease while preserving immune health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these pathways could lead to therapies that limit plaque growth and instability while maintaining normal immune function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that cell-type-specific CD40/CD40L signaling can alter atherosclerosis, supporting potential translational impact.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lutgens, Esther — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Lutgens, Esther
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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.