New beta-adrenergic signaling pathway links chronic stress to high blood pressure
Official title: A Novel Beta-Adrenergic Signaling Mechanism Drives Interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and Hypertension by Chronic Stress
Funded at Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr · NIH-11424033 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new study will look at how stress hormones influence immune cells to raise blood pressure, with people who have chronic stress as a potential focus for future therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | August 19, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $758,499 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL187284-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11424033 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with or at risk for hypertension, particularly those experiencing chronic stress or psychosocial stressors who may benefit from future targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without hypertension or chronic stress, or those not suitable for immunological or pharmacological studies, may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores how chronic stress may cause high blood pressure through a pathway that involves norepinephrine signaling on T cells and the inflammatory molecule IL-17A. By using preclinical models and analyses of immune signaling, researchers aim to map how stress shifts immune responses to worsen hypertension. The findings could point to new treatment targets that interrupt this brain-immune-heart connection. The study is designed to be translational, with a focus on mechanisms that could eventually inform human therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new strategies to prevent or treat stress-exacerbated hypertension by targeting immune- and norepinephrine-related pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show IL-17A and beta-adrenergic signaling can influence blood pressure in stress-related models, suggesting a plausible but novel intervention pathway in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Case, Adam J — Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
- Study coordinator: Case, Adam J
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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.