How male and female biology changes antibody control of blood vessel growth

Mechanistic basis of sexual dimorphism in antigen-independent IgG1 angiogenesis regulation

NIH-funded research University of Virginia · NIH-11293438

This research looks at why male and female biology changes how IgG1 antibodies control blood vessel growth, which could matter for conditions like Alzheimer's, heart disease, stroke, and eye disease.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Virginia NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Charlottesville, United States)
Project IDNIH-11293438 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers will compare sex-linked factors — both sex chromosomes and sex hormones — to see how they change antibody-driven suppression of new blood vessel growth. They will test whether a Y chromosome gene called DDX3Y explains stronger antibody angio-inhibition seen in males. The work combines laboratory models with experiments in human cells. The team will also measure the same sex-related effects in human tissue or blood samples to link the lab findings to people.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults with conditions involving abnormal blood vessel growth (for example Alzheimer's-related vascular changes, heart disease, stroke, or macular degeneration) who are willing to provide blood or tissue samples.

Not a fit: People with conditions unrelated to blood vessel growth or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic-mechanism research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to sex-specific targets for controlling abnormal blood vessel growth and eventually lead to better, more personalized treatments for diseases influenced by angiogenesis.

How similar studies have performed: This area is relatively new: prior preliminary data show sex differences in antibody-driven angio-inhibition, but mechanistic work on DDX3Y and translating it to human samples is novel and early-stage.

Where this research is happening

Charlottesville, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndromeAlzheimer's Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.