Role of a vascular smooth muscle cell RNA in protecting against artery disease
Official title: Role of vascular smooth muscle cell-enriched lncRNA in atherosclerosis
Funded at Augusta University · NIH-11450449 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research grant tests how a specific noncoding RNA in blood vessel cells helps prevent or slow atherosclerosis in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $750,414 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL183152-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450449 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults at risk for or with coronary artery disease who could benefit from future therapies targeting vascular smooth muscle cell regulation and lncRNA pathways.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without vascular disease or risk factors may not directly benefit from this specific molecular study.
What this research studies
This work focuses on vascular smooth muscle cells and how a long noncoding RNA, PRDM16-DT, influences the behavior of these cells during atherosclerosis. Using human-relevant models and 3C-based techniques to map genetic regulation, the study aims to connect genetic risk at CAD loci with how these cells function in vessels. The findings could reveal new targets to keep vessel walls healthy and reduce plaque buildup. The project is expected to generate insights that may guide future therapies for coronary artery disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could identify new molecular targets to prevent or treat artery disease and inform precision approaches based on vessel cell biology.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that similar lncRNA-guided mechanisms can influence vascular cell behavior and atherosclerosis, suggesting potential for meaningful results.
Where this research is happening
-
Augusta University
Augusta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dong, Kunzhe — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Dong, Kunzhe
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Coronary disease and immune activation in people with HIV and tuberculosis coinfection
This research looks at how having HIV and latent tuberculosis together might raise the risk of heart disease, and what immune changes are involved.
-
PFAS may speed up artery disease by changing bile acids
Aims to see if PFAS chemicals make cholesterol rise and arteries more likely to harden, using a human-similar mouse model to understand how this could affect people.
-
IgE antibodies to alpha-gal and heart disease in mice and people
A study to understand how specific IgE antibodies against alpha-gal might influence the development and severity of atherosclerosis in humans and mouse models.
-
Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 to Reduce High Lipids and Plaque in Adults with Diabetes
A new approach uses a modified FGF1 protein to lower bad cholesterol and prevent artery plaque buildup in adults with Type 2 diabetes, aiming for safer and more effective treatment.
-
Atherosclerosis in cocaine addiction: imaging risk with PET/MR
This project uses PET/MR imaging to look for early artery disease in people with cocaine use disorder to help prevent strokes or other brain injuries.
-
How low blood flow after brain artery narrowing affects the vessel lining
This work looks at whether areas of low blood flow downstream of narrowed brain arteries cause vessel lining damage and raise the chance of another stroke, for people with intracranial artery narrowing.
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.