Fabkin, a New Hormone Complex, and Its Role in Lipids and Inflammation Driving Atherosclerosis
Official title: Role of a Novel Hormone Complex, Fabkin, in Dyslipidemia and Inflammation in Atherosclerosis
Funded at Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11406165 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new hormone complex called Fabkin is being studied to see if it links fat metabolism and inflammation in atherosclerosis so future treatments could target both problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $653,407 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL178888-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406165 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with atherosclerosis or high cardiovascular risk who may benefit from future therapies targeting lipid and inflammatory pathways.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without cardiovascular risk factors or existing atherosclerosis may not directly benefit from this early-stage research.
What this research studies
This project from Harvard is exploring Fabkin, a hormone complex made of FABP4, adenosine kinase, and related proteins, and how it may influence liver fat handling and inflammatory responses linked to atherosclerosis. Researchers will study how Fabkin affects lipid levels and inflammatory signals that drive plaque formation, with a focus on purinergic signaling pathways. The work aims to identify whether targeting Fabkin could become a new therapeutic approach for reducing cardiovascular risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new therapies that lower bad cholesterol and dampen arterial inflammation to reduce heart disease risk.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show that inflammation and lipid metabolism interact in atherosclerosis, but Fabkin is a novel target with preliminary evidence awaiting confirmation.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hotamisligil, Gokhan S — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Hotamisligil, Gokhan S
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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.