How a liver protein (tPA) controls artery-clogging VLDL fats
The role of hepatocyte tPA in hepatic VLDL production.
This project examines whether a liver protein called tPA lowers VLDL production to reduce artery-clogging fats in people at risk for heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11326646 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use mouse models and cultured liver cells to see how tPA inside hepatocytes influences the assembly and release of VLDL particles that carry apoB. They will measure amounts of apoB, VLDL, IDL and LDL in blood and cells and probe the molecular pathways that link tPA to lipoprotein production. The team’s earlier lab work showed tPA can limit apoB-containing particles in mice, and this project aims to map the exact mechanisms. This is laboratory research rather than a treatment trial, but it could identify new drug targets to lower residual heart disease risk left after current LDL-focused therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, high triglycerides, or elevated apoB/VLDL who want to support research into new treatment targets would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new therapies or those whose heart disease is already well-controlled by LDL-lowering drugs are unlikely to get direct benefit from this lab-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new treatments that lower remnant (VLDL/IDL) cholesterol and reduce leftover risk of heart attacks and strokes beyond current LDL therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior cell and mouse experiments by the group indicate tPA affects apoB lipoproteins, but translating this mechanism into human treatments has not yet been done.
Where this research is happening
Milwaukee, United States
- Medical College of Wisconsin — Milwaukee, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zheng, Ze — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Zheng, Ze
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.