Nuclear pore proteins and blood vessel health
Identifying the role of nuclear pore components in vascular function.
This research looks at how a nuclear pore protein called Nup93 helps keep blood vessels healthy and may reduce inflammation that leads to atherosclerosis in people at risk for heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247959 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies the endothelial cells that line your blood vessels to understand how they sense blood flow and stay healthy. Researchers focus on a nuclear pore protein called Nup93 and how a chemical change (phosphorylation by Akt) might stop a harmful factor called Yap from entering the nucleus and triggering inflammation. The team will use laboratory cell experiments and animal models to alter Nup93 and observe how vessel cells respond under different flow conditions. The aim is to map this pathway so future work can explore treatments that restore protective Nup93 function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with or at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease—such as those with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or prior heart attack or stroke—are most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Patients with vascular conditions not related to atherosclerosis or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to get direct benefit from this basic laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to prevent or reduce artery inflammation and slow the development of atherosclerosis.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have connected nuclear pore components and Yap signaling, but translating these findings into patient therapies is still early and experimental.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Monica Y — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Lee, Monica Y
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.