How IL‑6 signaling affects artery plaque buildup and late-stage heart disease
Role of IL-6 trans signaling in atherosclerosis development and late-stage pathogenesis
This project looks at whether changing a specific immune signal called IL‑6 trans‑signaling can alter artery plaque behavior in people at risk for heart attacks and strokes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11303262 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how a specific immune signal called IL‑6 trans‑signaling affects the growth and late-stage behavior of artery plaques that lead to heart attacks and strokes. Using genetically altered mice that develop atherosclerosis (ApoE knockout models), cell‑tracking tools, and antibody or molecular blocking approaches, researchers will study how IL‑6 signals change smooth muscle cell behavior and the fibrous cap that stabilizes plaques. They will compare outcomes when this signaling is blocked versus left intact, and measure inflammation, plaque stability, and late‑stage complications. The goal is to find whether blocking IL‑6 trans‑signaling can reduce harmful inflammation while preserving repair processes that prevent plaque rupture.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is most relevant to people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, such as coronary artery disease, prior heart attack or stroke, or high‑risk arterial plaque.
Not a fit: People without atherosclerosis or whose cardiovascular problems are not driven by arterial inflammation are unlikely to benefit directly from therapies coming from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to treatments that reduce heart attack and stroke risk by calming harmful inflammation without increasing infection risk or weakening protective plaque repair.
How similar studies have performed: Previous anti‑inflammatory trials like CANTOS offered proof that inflammation matters for heart disease but had limited benefit and safety concerns, so targeting IL‑6 trans‑signaling is a more focused and still experimental approach.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Owens, Gary K — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Owens, Gary K
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.