Cholesterol-filled immune cells in artery plaque
Regulation of Foamy Macrophage Differentiation and Survival in Atherosclerosis
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · NIH-11239023
This project looks at whether a protein called TREM2 controls how cholesterol-filled immune cells form and survive in people with artery plaque to help prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11239023 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This work focuses on 'foamy' macrophages, immune cells that take up cholesterol and build up inside artery plaques. Researchers use high-resolution gene sequencing of plaque cells, genome-wide CRISPR screens, and laboratory animal models to see how the protein TREM2 affects cholesterol uptake and removal. They compare plaques and macrophages with and without TREM2 to track how these cells live, die, and handle cholesterol. From a patient's perspective, this helps researchers pinpoint new ways to change immune cell behavior that might one day reduce plaque and lower heart attack and stroke risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be adults with atherosclerosis—such as those with coronary or carotid plaque—or people undergoing vascular procedures who can provide plaque samples or medical data.
Not a fit: People without atherosclerosis or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to get direct or timely benefit from this lab-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new treatments that change immune cell cholesterol handling to shrink plaques and reduce heart attack and stroke risk.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab and genetic studies have linked TREM2 to lipid handling in immune cells and shown promising effects in cell and animal models, but translating this into human therapies remains early.
Where this research is happening
MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA — MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WILLIAMS, JESSE WARREN — UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- Study coordinator: WILLIAMS, JESSE WARREN
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.