How FAT1 proteins affect artery healing and narrowing
FAT cadherins and vascular remodeling
This project looks at how FAT1 proteins control smooth muscle cells that can cause artery narrowing after injury or in atherosclerosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11232347 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are studying a molecule called FAT1 that is found in the muscle cells of artery walls and seems to change how those cells grow after injury. They use mouse models of vascular injury and examine samples from injured human arteries to see what happens when FAT1 is turned off or altered. The team is following unusual FAT1 fragments that go to mitochondria and change cell energy use, and they measure effects on cell growth and genes that define smooth muscle cell behavior. Understanding these mechanisms could point to ways to reduce vessel scarring and blockage after surgery or with atherosclerotic disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with arterial disease or those undergoing vascular procedures who can donate tissue samples or clinical data for research.
Not a fit: People without arterial disease or those expecting immediate treatment benefits are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new approaches to prevent or reduce artery narrowing after injury, surgery, or in atherosclerosis.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and mouse studies have shown that FAT1 influences smooth muscle growth and vessel narrowing, but translating these findings into human treatments remains new.
Where this research is happening
Bronx, United States
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Bronx, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sibinga, Nicholas E — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Sibinga, Nicholas E
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.