New roles of plasminogen and the tiny particles it carries in blood
Novel functions of plasminogen and its diverse cargo in blood
This work looks at how plasminogen, a common blood protein, carries small RNAs and lipids and how those cargoes influence immune cells and conditions like high cholesterol.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11324009 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You might be asked to give a blood sample so researchers can isolate plasminogen and the tiny RNA- and lipid-bearing particles it carries. In the lab they will use methods like mass spectrometry and RNA sequencing to identify the proteins and small RNAs bound to plasminogen and compare profiles in people with high cholesterol. They will also expose immune cells to plasminogen in controlled experiments to see how gene activity and inflammatory signals change. Together these steps aim to map how plasminogen moves molecular signals between blood cells and whether that affects immune and metabolic health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be adults willing to give blood samples, especially people with high cholesterol or related metabolic conditions.
Not a fit: People seeking an immediate treatment or those with health issues unrelated to blood, cholesterol, or immune signaling are unlikely to get direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal new blood-based markers or targets that help manage inflammation and cholesterol-related disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown extracellular RNAs travel on lipoproteins and vesicles, but the idea that plasminogen itself carries functional small RNAs is a newer finding that is not yet clinically proven.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vickers, Kasey C — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Vickers, Kasey C
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.