Fever-related heat and disturbed blood flow weaken the artery lining via a cellular stress pathway
Official title: Fever-Range Hyperthermia and Disturbed Flow Disrupt the Arterial Endothelial Barrier via IRE1α-XBP1–Dependent Autophagy
Funded at Nova Southeastern University · NIH-11425069 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study will explore how fever-range heat and uneven blood flow together harm the inner lining of arteries, especially in areas prone to atherosclerosis, by triggering a specific cellular stress pathway.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nova Southeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Lauderdale-Davie, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $144,800 |
| NIH project number | 1R16GM166725-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11425069 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cardiovascular risk factors or atherosclerosis-prone conditions may benefit from future therapies that preserve endothelial integrity.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation is described in the current plan; the work is primarily preclinical lab research.
What this research studies
If you have cardiovascular risks, this research looks at how fever and unusual blood flow can damage the artery lining at a cellular level. Researchers will simulate body-like temperatures and flow patterns in the lab to see how the endothelial barrier breaks down. They will focus on a molecule pathway called IRE1α–XBP1 and its role in autophagy, which may loosen cell junctions that keep arteries intact. The goal is to map when and where this damage happens and how the two stressors interact, with potential implications for preventing vascular injury during fever or inflammation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding this mechanism could lead to interventions that protect the arteries during fever or inflammatory conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest that combined heat and flow disturbances worsen endothelial junctions, supporting ongoing exploration of this mechanism.
Where this research is happening
-
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale-Davie, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Salinas, Manuel M. — Nova Southeastern University
- Study coordinator: Salinas, Manuel M.
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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.