Copper uptake transporter as a sensor in blood vessel inflammation
Official title: Cu uptake transporter as a disturbed flow sensor in vascular inflammatory disease
Funded at Augusta University · NIH-11309673 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist-led study will explore how a copper transporter in blood vessel cells acts as a sensor that may drive inflammation and a new cell-death pathway linked to atherosclerosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $747,054 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL174014-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11309673 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with or at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease could benefit from future therapies targeting copper-transport pathways.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without vascular disease may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project will look at how the copper transporter CTR1 in endothelial cells responds to disturbed blood flow and whether it promotes inflammation and cuproptosis, a copper-related cell death, in arteries. Researchers will examine how copper availability and transport influence mitochondrial function and inflammatory gene activity in cells lining blood vessels. Using data from human-relevant contexts and advanced sequencing, the study aims to link mechanical signals from blood flow to molecular changes that contribute to plaque formation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could reveal new targets to prevent or slow artery plaque development by modulating copper-related pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows copper and related pathways influence vascular inflammation and cell death, but the exact endothelial mechano-signaling role is still being defined.
Where this research is happening
-
Augusta University
Augusta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fukai, Tohru — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Fukai, Tohru
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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.