New lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory siRNA therapy for narrowing ASCVD risk
Official title: A New-Generation Lipid-Lowering and Anti-Inflammatory siRNA Therapy for Atherosclerosis
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11406191 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new siRNA treatment is being developed to lower cholesterol production in the liver and reduce artery inflammation to help people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $753,430 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL177519-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406191 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cardiovascular disease or high ASCVD risk who could benefit from improved lipid control and anti-inflammatory strategies.
✕Less likely to help
People whose ASCVD risk is not driven by lipid or inflammatory pathways may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a dual-action, long-acting siRNA therapy delivered via targeted lipid nanoparticles to both liver cells and artery plaques. It builds on findings that certain adaptor proteins influence lipid metabolism and inflammation in atherosclerosis. The goal is to simultaneously lower cholesterol synthesis and curb artery inflammation, potentially reducing plaque growth and ASCVD risk. The study is conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital under the leadership of Dr. JinJun Shi, with a focus on translating basic discoveries into a patient-ready therapeutic approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the therapy could provide a new option to lower cholesterol and inflammation together, potentially reducing heart disease risk.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier work showed that silencing Epsin proteins in macrophages reduced arterial inflammation and plaque size, supporting a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shi, Jinjun — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Shi, Jinjun
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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.