MOF’s role in weakening the aorta and stopping aneurysm growth
Official title: MOF Regulates Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Expansion
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11424572 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying how a molecule called MOF and inflammatory signals affect abdominal aortic aneurysms to find ways to slow or stop their enlargement.
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 start | September 5, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $785,185 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL187297-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11424572 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with abdominal aortic aneurysm or at risk due to inflammatory vascular processes; subjects contributing human tissue or cells for analysis.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient benefit if you do not have an abdominal aortic aneurysm or related inflammatory vascular condition.
What this research studies
This project uses human cells and mouse models to explore how MOF, a protein that changes how genes are turned on, contributes to the inflammation and growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The team examines how TNF-α signaling leads to MOF activity in macrophages within the aorta, and how this drives inflammatory gene programs linked to aneurysm expansion. They will test whether blocking MOF-related changes in monocytes and macrophages can reduce inflammation and stabilize the aneurysm in experimental settings. By combining human tissue data with animal models, the research aims to uncover targets that could translate into therapies to limit aneurysm growth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new strategies to prevent aneurysm growth and reduce the risk of rupture.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked inflammatory macrophages and epigenetic regulators to aneurysm biology, suggesting this approach could yield actionable targets, though the exact MOF/TNF-α pathway in humans requires validation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Davis, Frank Michael — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Davis, Frank Michael
Related research
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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.