How sympathetic nerves and blood vessel cells form and work together in arteries
Defining the cellular and molecular formation of the sympathetic neurovascular unit
This project looks at how sympathetic nerves, blood vessel cells, and blood flow team up to control artery function, which is important for circulation and blood pressure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11232289 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are watching cells in living zebrafish embryos with high-resolution imaging to see how blood flow guides the assembly of endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and sympathetic neurons. They will switch specific genes on or off in each cell type to identify the genetic programs that let these cells connect and communicate. The team will then test whether those flow-dependent genetic programs control neurovascular coupling across models and with collaborating labs. This basic lab work aims to reveal the building blocks of artery nerve–vessel interactions that underlie many cardiovascular diseases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients, but people with hypertension, vascular dysregulation, or other cardiovascular conditions could be candidates for future related clinical studies.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatments or those without vascular or sympathetic-related conditions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new targets for preventing or treating vascular and blood-pressure disorders by improving nerve–vessel communication.
How similar studies have performed: Live imaging and genetic manipulation in zebrafish are proven tools in vascular biology, although applying them specifically to the sympathetic neurovascular unit is a newer area.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nicoli, Stefania — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Nicoli, Stefania
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.