New therapies that block the P2X7 receptor to prevent artery plaque
Elucidation of P2X7 Receptor Signaling and Development of Novel Small Molecule and Aptamer Ligand Therapies
Designing drugs and aptamers that block the P2X7 receptor to lower artery inflammation and help people at risk for atherosclerotic heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11014655 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses newly solved atomic-level structures of the P2X7 receptor to guide design of high-affinity small molecules and aptamer ligands that block P2X7 signaling. The team will synthesize candidate compounds and test them in cells and in mouse models of coronary artery disease to see if they reduce inflammation and plaque formation. Promising candidates will be optimized for potency and selectivity with the goal of advancing toward preclinical safety testing. The overall aim is to create a new class of therapies targeting inflammation-driven atherosclerosis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with or at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (for example, coronary artery plaque, high cholesterol, or prior heart disease) would be the eventual candidates for therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: People with heart problems unrelated to atherosclerosis or those needing immediate acute care are unlikely to benefit directly from this preclinical research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could produce new medicines that reduce arterial inflammation and lower the risk of heart attacks from atherosclerosis.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work, including mouse models where P2X7 was knocked out, showed reduced atherosclerosis, but there are currently no FDA-approved P2X7-targeting drugs and human testing remains limited.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mansoor, Steven Elias — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Mansoor, Steven Elias
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.