How a type of white blood cell may drive blood vessel aging
Neutrophils play a pivotal role in vascular aging
This project looks at whether an enzyme released by neutrophils makes arteries stiffer as people age or with obesity, raising the chance of heart and brain blood-vessel problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11296889 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient point of view, researchers are using mouse models to see how neutrophils and their enzyme neutrophil elastase (NE) affect large blood vessels during aging. They compare normal mice to mice that lack NE, including animals with and without obesity, and measure artery stiffness using pulse wave velocity and examine inflammation, leakage, scarring, and calcification in the aorta. The team also studies how NE changes cell behavior by breaking down the longevity regulator Sirt1 and prompting vessel cells to adopt fibrotic or bone-like traits. Results could point toward drugs or therapies that block NE to protect blood vessels.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People most relevant to this work would be older adults, especially those with obesity, known arterial stiffness, or signs of vascular cognitive decline.
Not a fit: Young healthy people without signs of vascular aging are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this basic research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the findings hold up, blocking neutrophil elastase might slow artery stiffening and lower risks of cardiovascular disease and vascular dementia.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary mouse data show that mice lacking NE have lower arterial stiffness and less aortic inflammation and fibrosis, but translating this to human treatments has not yet been done.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jiang, Zhen Yue — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Jiang, Zhen Yue
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.