Itaconate and the IRG1 gene's role in artery inflammation and heart disease
The role of immune-responsive gene 1 and itaconate in atherosclerotic disease
Researchers are looking at whether a natural molecule called itaconate and the IRG1 gene can calm artery inflammation for people with atherosclerosis to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11414994 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, the team will study how the IRG1 enzyme makes itaconate and how that molecule changes immune cells inside artery plaques. They will use laboratory models and analysis of plaque samples, including advanced sequencing methods, to map immune and metabolic signals that drive or resolve inflammation. The researchers will focus on pathways like NLRP3 and IL-1β and test whether increasing itaconate-related activity leads to less harmful inflammation in plaques. The goal is to link these findings to approaches that might reduce cardiovascular events without causing dangerous infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or those at high risk of heart attack or stroke due to arterial plaque buildup.
Not a fit: People without atherosclerosis or whose cardiovascular risk is unrelated to arterial inflammation are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that reduce artery inflammation and lower heart attack and stroke risk without the infection risks seen with some broad anti-inflammatory drugs.
How similar studies have performed: Previous clinical work targeting inflammation (for example, the CANTOS trial of IL-1β) showed reduced cardiovascular events but increased infection risk, while targeting the itaconate/IRG1 pathway is a newer, mostly preclinical approach with promising anti-inflammatory signals but limited clinical testing so far.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moore, Kathryn J — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Moore, Kathryn J
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.