GCN2 and amino acid restriction in abdominal aortic aneurysm
Official title: The Role of Amino Acid Starvation Response Kinase GCN2 in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11295475 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how a cellular stress pathway called GCN2, activated by limiting amino acids, might help slow or prevent abdominal aortic aneurysm in people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $391,565 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL162895-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11295475 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with or at risk for abdominal aortic aneurysm who are seeking non-surgical management options and can tolerate dietary modification or related interventions.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without AAA or without interest in dietary/drug strategies to influence AAA progression may not benefit.
What this research studies
Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a dangerous condition with few drug options. The study builds on animal findings that restricting certain amino acids could activate a protective stress response via GCN2, potentially stabilizing the aorta. Researchers will translate these ideas toward human relevance by examining how GCN2 activity relates to vessel health and testing strategies that could be safe for patients. The goal is to identify non-surgical approaches to contain AAA progression and improve outcomes for patients who are not candidates for immediate repair.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new dietary- or drug-based strategies to slow AAA progression and reduce rupture risk.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies in animal models have shown that amino acid restriction and GCN2 activation can influence AAA development, with human data suggesting lower GCN2 activity in AAA tissue; translation to patients remains to be established.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Bowen — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Wang, Bowen
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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.