Endothelial ceramides and protection against coronary artery disease
Official title: The role of endothelial ceramides in coronary atherosclerosis
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11383817 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how certain fats in blood vessel walls influence heart disease and whether they can predict or prevent plaque problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 14, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $816,853 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL181967-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11383817 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with or at risk for coronary artery disease whose samples or data could help study ceramide-related mechanisms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to advanced vascular studies or related samples may not directly benefit from the research.
What this research studies
If funded, researchers will study how different ceramide molecules in the endothelial cells of the heart’s arteries affect the development of atherosclerosis. The work uses mouse models and human-like systems to explore how ceramide species influence endothelial cell health, response to stress, and plaque stability. The goal is to understand whether specific ceramides promote protection or progression of coronary disease, which could point to new therapeutic strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how ceramides in blood vessels affect heart disease could lead to new ways to prevent or treat CAD.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data in animals and human tissues suggest ceramide balance in endothelial cells influences atherosclerosis, indicating potential for translational impact.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Di Lorenzo, Annarita — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Di Lorenzo, Annarita
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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.