How fat around the aorta affects blood vessel diseases
Official title: The serotonergic system in periaortic fat regulates regional aortopathy development
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-10895376 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the fat around the aorta and its serotonin levels might affect the development of serious blood vessel diseases, with the hope that understanding this could lead to new treatments for patients with aortopathies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $623,325 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL168633-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10895376 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for aortopathies, particularly those with genetic predispositions or environmental risk factors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with established aortopathies who are not eligible for experimental treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of periaortic fat, which surrounds the aorta, in the development of dangerous vascular diseases known as aortopathies. It focuses on how serotonin levels in this fat differ across various aortic regions and how these differences may influence inflammation and disease progression. The study uses animal models to explore the effects of serotonin on immune cells and the potential for new therapeutic approaches by blocking specific receptors involved in this process. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatments for aortopathies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for preventing or treating aortopathies.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the role of fat and serotonin in vascular diseases, suggesting this approach has potential.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cassis, Lisa a — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Cassis, Lisa a
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.