P16 Cellular Aging and Blood Vessel Health in Sleep Apnea
Official title: p16 Cellular Senescence and Vascular Dysfunction in Sleep Apnea
Funded at University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-11350988 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aiming to understand how sleep apnea may speed up aging of blood vessels and raise heart disease risk, and to explore if targeting aging cells could help.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $703,287 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL169266-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11350988 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with obstructive sleep apnea and related cardiovascular risk factors.
✕Less likely to help
People without sleep apnea or without vascular risk factors may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on adults with sleep apnea and seeks to uncover how intermittent low oxygen affects blood vessel aging and function. Researchers will study cellular aging markers, especially p16, in vascular tissues, and examine how these changes relate to cardiovascular risks. The work will combine observational data with laboratory tests to link sleep-disordered breathing to vascular health and potential therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could reveal new ways to protect blood vessels in people with sleep apnea and reduce heart-related risks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows a link between sleep apnea and vascular aging, but direct targeting of p16high cells in this context is still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cortese, Rene Gabriel — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Cortese, Rene Gabriel
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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.