How Estrogen Affects Blood Vessel Aging Differently in Men and Women
The sexually dimorphic role of smooth muscle cell estrogen receptor alpha in vascular aging
This research explores how estrogen affects blood vessel aging differently in men and women, aiming to understand why women develop stiff arteries later in life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11089350 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Aging often leads to stiffening of the arteries, which increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. This process affects men and women differently, with women typically developing arterial stiffness later in life but experiencing higher rates of certain related heart conditions. Our team is working to uncover the specific molecular reasons behind these sex differences. We are focusing on how estrogen and a protein called estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) might protect blood vessels in younger women, and how changes in estrogen levels with age could impact this protection. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to new ways to prevent or treat age-related arterial stiffness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for individuals interested in the biological processes of aging, arterial stiffness, and sex differences in cardiovascular health.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate direct medical treatment or clinical trial participation will not find direct benefit from this basic science investigation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments or prevention strategies tailored to men and women to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke associated with aging.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has shown similar patterns of arterial stiffness development in aging mice, and other studies suggest a role for estrogen receptor alpha in vascular health, providing a foundation for this novel exploration of specific molecular mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Tufts Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dupont, Jennifer — Tufts Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Dupont, Jennifer
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.