Harnessing CAR T cells to unravel aging hallmarks in people with diabetes and heart disease
Official title: Harnessing CAR T cells to deconstruct the interconnectivity among hallmarks of aging
Funded at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory · NIH-11330331 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are testing a CAR T cell approach to target aging-related cell states that may influence heart disease and diabetes in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cold Spring Harbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $516,478 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG082800-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11330331 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with or at risk for adult-onset diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who could contribute biological samples or be considered for future translational trials.
✕Less likely to help
The study is focused on understanding aging biology and may not directly benefit individuals who do not have or are not at risk for these conditions.
What this research studies
This project uses specially designed CAR-T cells to remove aging-related cells in the body, aiming to uncover how aging hallmarks interact and drive conditions like adult-onset diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. By focusing on human-relevant pathways and leveraging prior proof-of-concept work, the study seeks to understand whether eliminating senescent cells can improve tissue function and lessen disease progression. The team plans to translate cellular findings into insights about potential treatments, using a combination of molecular, cellular, and animal model data to map connections among aging processes. Participation would help researchers learn how aging biology intersects with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and what this could mean for future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new ways to treat or prevent aging-related heart and metabolic diseases by targeting senescent cells.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work showed that CAR T cells can target cellular senescence markers, supporting potential efficacy in aging-related contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Cold Spring Harbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Amor Vegas, Corina — Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Study coordinator: Amor Vegas, Corina
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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.