NOTCH3 blood marker for pulmonary arterial hypertension

NOTCH3 ECD as a Serum Biomarker for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

NIH-funded research University of California, San Diego · NIH-11310864

This project looks for a NOTCH3 protein fragment in blood to help detect and monitor pulmonary arterial hypertension in people with PAH.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-11310864 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you have PAH, researchers will measure the NOTCH3 extracellular fragment (NOTCH3 ECD) in blood samples from people with PAH and compare those levels to healthy volunteers and experimental models. They will study how NOTCH3 is cut from vessel cells, where the released ECD goes in the body, and whether blood levels match how severe the disease is or how patients respond to treatment. The work combines lab tests, animal experiments, and analysis of human blood and clinical data to build a link between NOTCH3 ECD and PAH. The team aims to translate these findings into a practical blood test clinicians could use.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with confirmed or suspected pulmonary arterial hypertension who can provide blood samples and clinical information.

Not a fit: People without PAH or those with pulmonary hypertension caused by left heart disease or lung disease may not benefit directly from this specific biomarker approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a simple blood test to help diagnose PAH earlier and track disease progression or treatment response.

How similar studies have performed: Early lab and animal studies show NOTCH3 is increased and cleaved in PAH, but using the NOTCH3 ECD as a blood biomarker is a novel and still-unproven approach.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.