How cells' cleanup of vessel attachments may affect brain aneurysms
Official title: Role of Selective Autophagy of Focal Adhesion in Intracranial Aneurysm
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11251817 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether a cellular cleanup process in blood‑vessel lining cells weakens brain arteries and contributes to aneurysms in people at risk for intracranial aneurysm.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | January 15, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $382,114 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS126820-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11251817 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People diagnosed with unruptured intracranial aneurysms, those with a family history of aneurysm, or individuals considered at high risk for aneurysm development are the patients most likely to be relevant to this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients needing immediate treatment for a ruptured aneurysm or acute subarachnoid hemorrhage would not directly benefit from this laboratory-based research.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how endothelial cells remove focal adhesion proteins through selective autophagy, focusing on the interaction between p62 and VASP. They will use laboratory cell experiments and animal models to see how this process affects blood vessel wall integrity in the brain. The team aims to link these molecular events to how intracranial aneurysms form and progress. Results could point to molecular targets for future treatments to prevent aneurysm growth or rupture.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new drug targets to prevent aneurysm formation or weakening of brain arteries and reduce the need for invasive surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Some prior research has linked autophagy to vascular disease, but the specific p62–VASP mechanism and its role in focal adhesion turnover for aneurysm formation is a novel angle.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rui, Yanning — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Rui, Yanning
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how brain aneurysm walls and shape change over time
This project studies how small brain aneurysms grow and whether MRI features of the aneurysm wall and its shape can predict growth so doctors can better decide when treatment is needed.
-
Predicting brain aneurysm growth with advanced 4D MRI and tensor math
A research project uses 4D flow MRI and new math models to predict how brain aneurysms grow over time, helping doctors decide on safer treatments for people with UIAs.
-
How aging and aged (senescent) cells may cause brain aneurysm rupture
This research tests whether removing aging 'senescent' cells can lower the chance that a brain aneurysm will burst for people with intracranial aneurysms.
-
Reprogramming blood-vessel lining cells in inherited brain aneurysms
This project aims to find out whether fixing gene-related changes in the cells that line brain arteries can lower aneurysm risk in people with a family history.
-
How tiny cell structures (podosomes) may weaken brain arteries and cause aneurysms
Testing whether podosomes — small structures inside blood vessel cells — make brain arteries weaker and raise the risk of aneurysm rupture for people with or at risk of brain aneurysms.
-
Improved MRI methods to find small brain aneurysms likely to grow
Using improved MRI scans to find inflammation and shape changes that show which small brain aneurysms may grow in people with unruptured aneurysms.
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.