Investigating how obesity affects blood vessel health through gene regulation
Official title: Enhancer of zeste homolog 2-mediated epigenetic activation of acid sphingomyelinase in endothelial dysfunction during obesity
Funded at University of Houston · NIH-10880430 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being overweight can harm your blood vessels and raise your chances of heart disease, and it’s specifically exploring how a certain gene might play a role in this process, so we can better understand and help people who are dealing with obesity-related heart issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $438,177 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL150007-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10880430 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are obese and at risk for cardiovascular diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not obese or do not have cardiovascular risk factors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how obesity leads to problems in blood vessel function, which can increase the risk of heart disease. It examines the role of a specific gene regulator, Ezh2, in controlling the expression of another gene involved in fat metabolism, acid sphingomyelinase (ASM). By studying how changes in these genes affect blood vessel health, the research aims to uncover new mechanisms that contribute to cardiovascular issues in obese individuals. The approach includes laboratory experiments on cells and animal models to observe the effects of obesity on blood vessel injury and inflammation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve blood vessel health and reduce cardiovascular risks in obese patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding the role of gene regulation in cardiovascular health, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Xiang — University of Houston
- Study coordinator: Li, Xiang
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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.