Platelet-driven metabolic stress and thrombo-inflammation in PAH
Official title: Platelet Metabolic Stress Induces Thrombo-Inflammation to Drive Endothelial Dysfunction in PH
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11378581 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project looks at how stressed platelets contribute to endothelial dysfunction and lung blood vessel disease in pulmonary arterial hypertension, with potential to reveal new targets to help patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $706,994 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL166985-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378581 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
PAH patients or models reflecting PAH biology may be enrolled or used for comparative analyses to validate findings.
✕Less likely to help
The study may not directly benefit patients if results do not translate into therapies or if individuals do not fit the experimental models.
What this research studies
This research explores why the lining of lung blood vessels gets damaged in PAH by studying how platelets’ metabolism and inflammatory signals affect endothelial cells. The team will examine the role of MFN1-driven mitochondrial dysfunction in platelets, inflammasome activation, and the release of inflammatory factors that drive vascular remodeling. Using models that resemble human PAH, they will trace how platelet changes lead to NOX1-mediated oxidative stress and endothelial proliferation. The goal is to identify steps that could be targeted to prevent or lessen vessel damage and improve outcomes for people with PAH.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could uncover new targets to reduce inflammation and endothelial damage in PAH, potentially slowing disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data in PAH models suggest platelet metabolism and inflammasome pathways influence vascular pathology, supporting further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shiva, Sruti — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Shiva, Sruti
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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.