How T cell genes and behavior affect artery-clogging heart disease
Official title: Influence of T cell genotype/phenotype in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11096020 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether genetic differences that change regulatory T cells' activity affect inflammation and plaque buildup in people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $715,066 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL167511-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11096020 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with diagnosed atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who are willing to provide blood and genetic samples would be the most relevant candidates to participate.
✕Less likely to help
People without atherosclerosis or those seeking an immediate new clinical treatment are unlikely to get direct medical benefit from participating.
What this research studies
You would contribute blood and DNA samples so researchers can measure regulatory T cells and the level of CD39, a molecule that helps control inflammation. The team will compare people with different genetic variants to see how those variants change T cell behavior and inflammation related to artery plaque. In the lab, they will use antisense oligonucleotides and cell or animal models to raise or lower CD39 and observe effects on inflammatory signals and plaque development. The combined human and lab work aims to link specific genetic changes to immune function and atherosclerosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new immune-based treatments that boost Treg CD39 activity to lower inflammation and reduce atherosclerotic complications.
How similar studies have gone: Related approaches targeting CD39 or Treg function have shown promise in other inflammatory diseases, but applying CD39 modulation specifically to atherosclerosis is a newer direction.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gumina, Richard J — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Gumina, Richard J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Integrative model of metabolites, equol, and heart disease
This grant looks at how a person’s body processes soy isoflavones into equol and how that relates to atherosclerotic heart disease, using complex data to build predictive models.
-
Lp(a) and HIV: Understanding Heart Disease Risk in HIV Patients
This program looks at how Lipoprotein(a) contributes to higher heart disease risk in people with HIV and what Lp(a) levels mean for future treatments.
-
PVAT and arteries: why some vessels resist plaque
Aims to understand how fat tissue around arteries influences atherosclerosis, especially why the left internal mammary artery stays healthy while others don’t.
-
How T cell genes and signals affect atherosclerosis
This grant studies how a specific immune cell and its signals influence atherosclerosis in people, aiming to uncover new ways to reduce inflammation and heart disease risk.
-
Understanding why some artery plaques become dangerous using genetics, tissue maps, and advanced imaging
Researchers will combine human genetic data with single-cell and spatial tissue maps to find why certain atherosclerotic plaques are more likely to cause heart events, aiming to improve prediction and prevention.
-
Opportunistic heart risk detection from abdominal CTs using robust AI
A doctor-scientist team at Stanford will use existing abdominal CT scans and medical records to build a trustworthy AI tool that helps predict future heart problems in adults.
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.