How low SOX17 in the lining of lung blood vessels may cause pulmonary hypertension
Role of Endothelial SOX17 Deficiency in the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Hypertension
This research looks at whether low levels of a gene called SOX17 in the cells that line lung blood vessels drive pulmonary hypertension and whether blocking a related protein, E2F1, can reduce harmful vessel changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11299581 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use genetically modified mice and rats that lack SOX17 specifically in endothelial (blood-vessel lining) cells to see how this affects pulmonary vessel structure and right heart stress. They will examine the molecular chain of events, focusing on whether SOX17 loss turns on E2F1 signaling that causes endothelial cells to overgrow and resist normal cell death. The team will test whether inhibiting E2F1 lessens vessel narrowing and heart problems in these animal models. Results will help determine if blocking E2F1 could be developed into treatments for people with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, especially those with congenital heart disease–associated PAH or suspected SOX17-related disease, would be the most relevant candidates for future therapies stemming from this work.
Not a fit: People whose high lung pressures are due to other causes (for example, left heart disease or lung disease) or unrelated conditions are less likely to benefit from treatments targeting SOX17/E2F1.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify E2F1 as a new treatment target to prevent or reverse the blood-vessel narrowing that causes pulmonary hypertension.
How similar studies have performed: This approach is largely novel because the role of endothelial SOX17 in pulmonary hypertension has not been reported before, so targeting E2F1 is experimental and unproven in patients.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dai, Zhiyu — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Dai, Zhiyu
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.