How tiny cell structures (podosomes) may weaken brain arteries and cause aneurysms
Official title: The Role of Podosomes in Cerebrovascular Integrity and Intracranial Aneurysm
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11252802 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Testing whether podosomes — small structures inside blood vessel cells — make brain arteries weaker and raise the risk of aneurysm rupture for people with or at risk of brain aneurysms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $389,998 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS126664-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11252802 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with known unruptured intracranial aneurysms or with a strong family history of aneurysms would be the most likely future candidates to benefit or join related clinical follow-up studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without aneurysm risk or those already recovering from a recent ruptured aneurysm are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this laboratory-focused work right now.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how high blood flow stress causes endothelial cells to form podosomes that can break down the vessel wall. They will use lab models, including zebrafish and other animal systems, plus molecular and imaging tools to watch podosome formation and its effects on vessel integrity. The team will manipulate the pathways that make podosomes form to see if blocking them prevents aneurysm-like changes. Findings are aimed at identifying targets for future drugs to protect people from aneurysm growth or rupture.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new non-surgical drug targets to help prevent aneurysm growth or rupture.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research links high wall shear stress to aneurysm formation, but targeting podosomes is a newer, largely preclinical approach with limited prior clinical testing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Zhen — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Xu, Zhen
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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.