Lymph vessel channels (Piezo1 and TRPV4) and weight gain
Official title: Lymphatic Endothelial Piezo1-TRPV4 Channel Signaling in Obesity
Funded at Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport · NIH-11495689 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looking at how two channels in lymph vessels (Piezo1 and TRPV4) may cause lymph leakage and contribute to weight gain in adults with obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Shreveport, United States) |
| Project start | February 14, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $248,931 |
| NIH project number | 4R00DK138271-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11495689 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with obesity or excess adipose tissue would be the most relevant group for future participation, especially those willing to donate tissue samples or join clinical follow-ups.
✕Less likely to help
People without obesity or whose weight issues stem from causes unrelated to lymphatic leakage are less likely to benefit from this line of work.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how specific ion channels in lymphatic endothelial cells control the barrier of lymph vessels using lab experiments and animal models. They will measure channel activity, cause or prevent channel changes, and watch whether those changes lead to lymph leakage and more fat around tissues. The team will compare results from high-fat diet mice and genetically altered animals to understand the pathway. Findings will be linked to human obesity biology to guide future patient-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to protect lymph vessel barriers and reduce fat accumulation linked to obesity.
How similar studies have gone: Early animal and cellular studies support a role for TRPV4 and Piezo1 in lymph barrier function and weight gain, but translating these findings to human therapies is still novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport
Shreveport, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Yen-Lin — Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport
- Study coordinator: Chen, Yen-Lin
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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.