How blood vessel cells change during healing in peripheral artery disease
Epigenetic control of smooth muscle cell phenotype during microvascular remodeling
This research aims to understand how specific cells in our blood vessels change their behavior to help repair damage in conditions like Peripheral Artery Disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11165157 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) can lead to serious complications like leg pain and amputation because blood vessels don't heal properly. Current treatments haven't fully worked, possibly because they don't focus on smooth muscle cells, which are vital for rebuilding small blood vessels. These cells need to be flexible, changing their form to help repair vessels and then returning to their normal state. We are exploring the specific genetic signals that guide these smooth muscle cells to ensure they can properly repair and rebuild blood vessels.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease, especially those experiencing claudication or at risk of amputation, could potentially benefit from future therapies developed from this research.
Not a fit: Patients without conditions affecting microvascular remodeling or smooth muscle cell function would likely not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments for Peripheral Artery Disease by helping blood vessels heal more effectively and preventing severe complications.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this team has identified key genetic mechanisms in smooth muscle cells, suggesting a promising foundation for this novel approach to understanding vascular remodeling.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gomez, Delphine — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Gomez, Delphine
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.