How low oxygen makes brain cavernous malformations worse
Mechanisms of hypoxia induced exacerbation of cerebral cavernous malformations
Looks at whether low oxygen signals from support brain cells and blood vessel cells make cavernous brain malformations grow or bleed in people with CCM mutations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11229590 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses animal models and human CCM tissue to understand how low oxygen and support brain cells called astrocytes drive lesion growth and leakage. The team measures hypoxia-related signals (like HIF-1α) and VEGF activity and compares lesion number and size under low-oxygen conditions. They also study how astrocytes and blood vessel cells interact to cause abnormal vessel development. Findings are intended to point to molecular targets that could reduce lesion growth or bleeding.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People of any age diagnosed with cerebral cavernous malformations (including those with known CCM gene mutations) would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People without CCM or with unrelated brain or vascular conditions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify biological targets or strategies to prevent lesion growth or bleeding and eventually lead to treatments that lower stroke risk for people with CCM.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and tissue studies have linked HIF-1α and VEGF signaling to CCM progression and shown hypoxia can accelerate lesions in mice, so this builds on emerging preclinical evidence.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lopez-Ramirez, Miguel Alejandro — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Lopez-Ramirez, Miguel Alejandro
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.