How diet affects immune cells and heart disease risk
Role of Monoamine Oxidase A and Diet-Induced Monocyte Dysfunction, Macrophage Reprogramming, and Atherosclerosis
This study looks at how eating a high-calorie diet affects certain immune cells in your blood and how this might lead to heart problems, with the goal of finding ways to prevent or treat heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11060005 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how a high-calorie diet impacts blood immune cells called monocytes and their transformation into macrophages, which can contribute to heart disease. It focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind this transformation, particularly how nutrient stress leads to the production of harmful substances that make these immune cells dysfunctional. By identifying the role of specific enzymes in this process, the research aims to uncover potential targets for preventing or treating atherosclerosis, a major cardiovascular condition.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for atherosclerosis, particularly those with metabolic disorders or those consuming a high-calorie diet.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have metabolic disorders or a history of cardiovascular disease may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in understanding the role of diet in immune cell function and its implications for cardiovascular health, making this approach promising.
Where this research is happening
Winston-Salem, United States
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences — Winston-Salem, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Asmis, Reto H.r. — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Asmis, Reto H.r.
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.