How artery smooth muscle cells influence plaque stability
Smooth muscle cell-derived cell fates and cellular interactions in atherosclerotic plaque stability in disease progression and regression.
This project looks at how artery wall muscle cells and immune cells change plaque stability in people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238976 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use mouse models and human tissue and blood samples along with advanced single-cell and spatial molecular mapping to see which smooth muscle cell–derived types appear in stable versus unstable plaques. They will follow how smooth muscle cells can become protective fibrochondrocyte-like cells or harmful macrophage-like cells and how those cells interact with macrophages. The team will examine whether oxidative DNA damage shifts cells toward more dangerous identities and whether those changes impair plaque regression. Findings will combine molecular maps and experiments to link specific cell types and interactions to plaque stability.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, especially those undergoing vascular procedures or able to donate tissue or blood samples, would be most relevant for participation or sample contribution.
Not a fit: People without atherosclerosis or those seeking immediate changes to their clinical care are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to stabilize plaques and lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows smooth muscle cells can adopt protective or harmful states, but integrating single-cell and spatial molecular mapping with mouse and human samples to link these states to plaque stability is a more recent approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reilly, Muredach P — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Reilly, Muredach P
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.