How the protein EHD1 affects artery plaque inflammation and healing
Official title: EHD1-mediated Inflammation and Resolution in Atherosclerosis
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11442262 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looks at whether changing the activity of a protein called EHD1 can reduce harmful inflammation and help artery plaques heal in people with atherosclerosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $672,295 |
| NIH project number | 7R01HL167107-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11442262 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or known artery plaque (for example, coronary artery disease, prior heart attack, or high-risk carotid disease) would be the most relevant group.
✕Less likely to help
People without atherosclerosis or those seeking immediate personal treatment are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this largely lab-focused research.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying a protein called EHD1 that is higher in inflammatory immune cells found inside artery plaques. They will analyze human plaque samples and mouse models and use single-cell RNA sequencing to see which plaque cells make EHD1. Lab experiments will change EHD1 activity in macrophages to see how that affects inflammation and the tissue repair process called resolution. The goal is to find whether targeting EHD1 could guide new ways to lower dangerous plaque inflammation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that reduce plaque inflammation and lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
How similar studies have gone: Some anti-inflammatory approaches have lowered heart attack risk in prior trials, but directly targeting EHD1 is a new idea with limited prior testing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cai, Bishuang — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Cai, Bishuang
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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.