Neddylation controls smooth muscle identity and blood vessel health
Official title: Posttranslational control of VSMC identity and vascular health
Funded at Augusta University · NIH-11415657 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how a specific protein modification, neddylation, affects vascular smooth muscle cells and helps prevent artery diseases like CAD in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $751,335 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL179809-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415657 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with or at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who could participate in future translational studies or receive biomarker-informed interventions.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without vascular disease may have little direct benefit from this basic mechanistic research.
What this research studies
Researchers will examine how NAE1-driven neddylation influences the switching of vascular smooth muscle cells from a contractile to a proliferative state, a key process in atherosclerosis. The study uses adult models to probe molecular pathways beyond traditional transcriptional control and to see how modifying NEDD8 tagging changes cell behavior and vessel health. Insights could reveal new targets to maintain healthy blood vessels and prevent occlusive vascular disease. The work builds on preliminary findings and aims to translate cellular mechanisms into ideas for therapies that support arterial integrity in adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A clearer understanding of neddylation in vascular cells could lead to new ways to prevent or treat atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that modulating protein modifications can influence vascular cell behavior, supporting potential translational relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
Augusta University
Augusta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Su, Huabo — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Su, Huabo
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.