Cell mechanics and gene switches in thoracic aortic aneurysm
Official title: Mechano-epigenetic disruption in aortic aneurysm
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11245710 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how changes in the way aorta cells sense force and control genes can lead to dangerous enlargement of the chest aorta, aiming to help people with or at risk for thoracic aortic aneurysms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $651,165 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL166425-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11245710 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with thoracic aortic aneurysm, particularly those undergoing aortic repair who can donate tissue or clinical information, would be the most relevant participants.
✕Less likely to help
People without thoracic aortic disease or with unrelated vascular conditions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
What this research studies
Researchers will examine smooth muscle cells from human and mouse aortas to see how defects in mechanosensing make cells change their behavior and contribute to aortic dilation. They will map chromatin and gene-control changes (including H3K4me2) and study how the cell nucleus and attachment structures respond to mechanical stress. The team will combine single-cell RNA sequencing, molecular lab experiments, and analysis of tissue from patients who undergo aortic surgery to link mechanical defects to specific epigenetic and gene changes. The aim is to identify mechano-dependent pathways that could become targets for future treatments to slow or prevent aneurysm growth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new molecular targets to slow or prevent aortic enlargement and lower the risk of rupture, reducing the need for emergency surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous single-cell and laboratory studies have clarified smooth muscle cell changes in aneurysm, but turning those insights into effective non-surgical treatments has not yet been achieved.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gomez, Delphine — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Gomez, Delphine
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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.