Identifying protective mechanisms to lower artery cholesterol
Official title: Identifying Novel Atheroprotective Mechanisms
Funded at South Dakota State University · NIH-11607123 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to find ways to boost cholesterol removal from artery walls to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | South Dakota State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Brookings, United States) |
| Project start | September 29, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $371,250 |
| NIH project number | 7R01HL175166-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11607123 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with or at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, who could participate in future translational studies or biomarker analyses linked to this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without atherosclerosis or cardiovascular risk factors may not directly benefit from this specific mechanistic study.
What this research studies
Researchers will explore how ABC transporters ABCA1 and related proteins in vascular smooth muscle cells affect cholesterol removal from arteries. The project tests whether increasing transporter activity in arterial cells can reduce plaque buildup and atherosclerosis. It uses experimental models to understand how ABCA1 and related pathways interact with cholesterol acceptors, aiming to identify potential targets for new therapies. The focus is on vascular biology and cholesterol handling inside artery walls to improve cardiovascular health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies that reduce heart attack and stroke risk by enhancing cholesterol removal from artery walls.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has shown that cholesterol transporters like ABCA1 influence cholesterol handling, supporting the potential for meaningful advances.
Where this research is happening
-
South Dakota State University
Brookings, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stamatikos, Alexis — South Dakota State University
- Study coordinator: Stamatikos, Alexis
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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.