Metabolism and gene switches in artery plaque
Metaboloepigenetics and Atherosclerosis
This project looks at how metabolic changes and gene-control machinery in artery wall cells drive plaque buildup to help people at risk for heart attacks and strokes.
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 ID | NIH-11286639 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study how metabolism and epigenetic 'switches' interact in the muscle cells that line arteries, focusing on a chromatin-remodeling complex called SWI/SNF and its BAF60c subunit. They will use molecular lab experiments, tissue analyses, and disease models to see how changes in these factors affect the behavior of vascular smooth muscle cells and plaque formation. The team expects to examine human arterial samples alongside experimental models to link lab findings to real-world disease. The work aims to map pathways that could be targeted by future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with atherosclerosis or related vascular conditions (for example coronary artery disease, carotid disease, or abdominal aortic aneurysm) who can provide blood or surgical tissue samples.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate improvements in their own symptoms should know this is basic research and is unlikely to provide direct personal treatment benefit in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets to prevent or reduce arterial plaque and lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked epigenetic and metabolic changes to atherosclerosis, but targeting the SWI/SNF–BAF60c pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Guizhen — University of Houston
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Guizhen
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.