New ways to protect arteries from atherosclerosis
Identifying novel atheroprotective mechanisms
This work explores if increasing two proteins that help artery wall cells remove cholesterol can protect people at risk for heart attack and stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Clemson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Clemson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166669 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study two cholesterol-transport proteins (ABCA1 and ABCG1) in vascular smooth muscle cells, the artery wall cells that can fill with cholesterol and contribute to plaque. They will use laboratory cell experiments and animal models to see how each protein helps cells export cholesterol and which cholesterol acceptors they work with. The team will test whether boosting these transporters in smooth muscle cells prevents or reduces plaque formation in arteries. Results will guide whether boosting these pathways could become a treatment approach for atherosclerosis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with or at high risk for atherosclerosis—for example those with high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, or prior heart attack or stroke—are the kinds of patients who could ultimately benefit or be candidates for related future trials.
Not a fit: Patients without atherosclerosis or with cardiovascular problems unrelated to cholesterol-driven plaque are unlikely to get direct benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that reduce arterial plaque and lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show ABCA1 and ABCG1 help cholesterol removal in immune cells and can reduce plaque in animal models, but applying this approach specifically to vascular smooth muscle cells is a newer and less-tested direction.
Where this research is happening
Clemson, United States
- Clemson University — Clemson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stamatikos, Alexis — Clemson University
- Study coordinator: Stamatikos, Alexis
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.