Enzymes that weaken blood and lymph vessels
Protease-Mediated Vascular Instability in Development and Disease
This project looks at how enzymes called proteases can damage blood and lymph vessels and aims to find ways to prevent bleeding, swelling, and clotting problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11045044 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are using genetic mouse models and tissue analyses to understand why excess protease activity causes blood and lymph vessels to leak or rupture. They will compare multiple models with high protease levels to find common changes in the surrounding matrix and how those changes affect the cells that line vessels. The team focuses on established vessels in the body rather than only new vessel growth and will map matrix breakdown and signaling events near sites of vascular damage. The goal is to identify mechanisms that could be targeted to protect vessel integrity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with conditions involving fragile or leaky blood vessels—such as unexplained bleeding, chronic edema, or clotting disorders—may ultimately benefit from therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not driven by protease-related vessel damage, or those who need immediate clinical treatment, are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat bleeding, swelling (edema), and blood clots by protecting blood and lymph vessel walls.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown proteases influence new blood vessel growth, but applying that knowledge to damage in established vessels is a newer approach with limited direct clinical testing so far.
Where this research is happening
Oklahoma City, United States
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation — Oklahoma City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Griffin, Courtney T — Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
- Study coordinator: Griffin, Courtney T
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.