How mTOR inhibitors affect blood vessel cell connections and their role in vascular health.
Official title: The Interplay Between mTOR Inhibitors and Endothelial Cell-to-Cell Junction Dynamics: Implications for Vascular Barrier Dysfunction
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11071516 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a medication called everolimus affects the cells that line your blood vessels, which is important for keeping them healthy, especially for people who have had organ transplants or stents, to help find ways to reduce any negative effects on heart health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | January 12, 2025 |
| Project end | July 11, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $39,867 |
| NIH project number | 1F31HL178291-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11071516 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients undergoing organ transplants or coronary stent interventions who are prescribed mTOR inhibitors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not receiving mTOR inhibitors or those without vascular health concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how mTOR inhibitors, like everolimus, impact the connections between endothelial cells, which are crucial for maintaining the integrity of blood vessels. The study aims to understand the mechanisms behind endothelial barrier dysfunction, a condition that can lead to serious complications such as heart attacks in patients undergoing treatments like organ transplants or stent placements. By examining the role of specific proteins and calcium signaling in these processes, the research seeks to develop better strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of mTOR inhibitors on vascular health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments that minimize the risk of vascular complications in patients receiving mTOR inhibitors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have indicated that understanding endothelial cell junction dynamics can lead to significant advancements in managing vascular dysfunction, suggesting a promising avenue for this research.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brandon, Ken D — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Brandon, Ken D
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.