How EphA2 controls artery plaque behavior and stability
Official title: EphA2 regulation of atherosclerotic smooth muscle phenotype
Funded at Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport · NIH-11337620 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in people at risk for artery disease looks at how a specific cell signal (EphA2) influences inflammation and plaque stability in arteries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Shreveport, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $704,669 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL173972-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11337620 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or at risk for plaque instability may be relevant for future translation of these findings.
✕Less likely to help
The study itself is preclinical and does not involve direct treatment or testing in patients at this stage.
What this research studies
This project explores how the EphA2 signaling pathway affects the behavior of smooth muscle cells and immune cells within atherosclerotic plaques. Researchers will examine how EphA2 interactions influence inflammatory gene expression, cell proliferation, and the fibrous cap that helps stabilize plaques. The work combines laboratory analyses with models that mimic human artery disease to understand how different EphA2 signaling routes may either promote instability or strengthen plaque structure. Results could point to new ways to predict plaque rupture risk or guide future therapies aimed at stabilizing diseased arteries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to new targets to prevent plaque instability and reduce heart attack risk.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has linked EphA2 signaling to cell proliferation and inflammation, but the exact role in human plaque stability is being clarified in this project.
Where this research is happening
-
Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport
Shreveport, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Orr, Anthony Wayne — Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport
- Study coordinator: Orr, Anthony Wayne
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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.