Notch signaling and small coronary vessel disease in type 2 diabetes
The Role of Notch Signaling in Type 2 Diabetic Coronary Microvascular Disease
This work looks at a cell communication system called Notch to understand why people with type 2 diabetes often have damage to the small blood vessels in their hearts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11303275 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on how signaling between endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells (the Notch pathway) affects coronary resistance microvessels in type 2 diabetes. The team studies diabetic mice and pigs and uses genetic models that lack Jagged1 or Notch3 to see how vessel structure and blood flow change. They measure coronary blood flow, examine vessel remodeling, and look at tiny endothelial openings (fenestrae) that affect how vessels work. The findings aim to point to targets that could be tested later to restore healthier small-vessel function in people with T2DM.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with type 2 diabetes who have symptoms or evidence of coronary microvascular disease (for example chest pain with normal large coronary arteries or reduced coronary blood flow) would be the group most relevant to related future studies.
Not a fit: People without type 2 diabetes or whose heart problems are driven mainly by large-vessel blockages rather than small-vessel (microvascular) disease are unlikely to benefit from these specific findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify targets to restore healthy small coronary vessel structure and improve blood flow, potentially lowering heart attack risk in people with type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies and preliminary data link Notch pathway changes to vessel remodeling, but translating this into human treatments is novel and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, United States
- Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Trask, Aaron J — Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
- Study coordinator: Trask, Aaron J
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.