How blood-vessel lining cell energy affects artery plaque erosion
Endothelial Cell Respiration in Atherosclerotic Plaque Erosion
This work will see whether the energy-making parts of artery-lining cells change the chance that a plaque loses its covering and triggers a clot in people with coronary artery disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238977 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study the cells that line coronary arteries to understand how their internal 'power plants' (mitochondria) influence whether the artery surface stays intact or peels away, leading to clot formation. They will use laboratory experiments with cells and tissue samples and advanced imaging to watch how cells die, detach, or help repair the vessel surface. The team aims to identify the molecular reasons some arterial regions heal quietly while others lead to dangerous events. Findings could point to new ways to protect or restore the vessel lining to reduce heart attacks.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with coronary artery disease, prior heart attacks, unstable chest pain, or known atherosclerotic plaque would be the most relevant group for this research.
Not a fit: People without atherosclerosis or low cardiovascular risk are unlikely to get direct benefit from this work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that keep artery linings healthy or speed their repair to prevent heart attacks caused by plaque erosion.
How similar studies have performed: Related studies have linked endothelial metabolism to blood vessel growth, but applying mitochondrial-focused approaches to plaque erosion is relatively new and not yet proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
Bronx, United States
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Bronx, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Riascos Bernal, Dario Fernando — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Riascos Bernal, Dario Fernando
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.