Investigating how cell death affects abdominal aortic aneurysms
Vascular smooth muscle cell ferroptosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm
This study is looking at how certain cells in your blood vessels might die in a way that contributes to the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms, which can be a serious health issue, and it aims to find new ways to treat this condition, especially for those affected by smoking or genetics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10879017 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), a serious condition characterized by the enlargement of the abdominal aorta. The study explores a specific type of cell death known as ferroptosis, which is influenced by factors like smoking and genetic predispositions. By examining how ferroptosis contributes to VSMC depletion and AAA progression, the researchers aim to identify potential therapeutic targets that could lead to new treatments for this life-threatening condition.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for abdominal aortic aneurysms, particularly those with a history of smoking or genetic factors linked to decreased GPX4 expression.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have abdominal aortic aneurysms or are not at risk for developing them may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new medical therapies that prevent or slow the progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that targeting cell death pathways can be effective in other conditions, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach to AAA.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guo, Yanhong — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Guo, Yanhong
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.