Role of insulin resistance in smooth muscle cells and metabolic dysfunction driving atherosclerosis
Official title: Role of Smooth Muscle Cell Insulin Resistance and Systemic Metabolic Dysfunction in Atherosclerosis Development and Late Stage Lesion Pathogenesis
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11353855 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how insulin resistance in smooth muscle cells and metabolic problems in Type 2 diabetes contribute to atherosclerosis and dangerous plaque changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $785,723 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL166161-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11353855 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with Type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
✕Less likely to help
People without diabetes or metabolic syndrome may have less direct benefit from this research.
What this research studies
If funded, researchers at the University of Virginia will study how insulin signaling and sugar-related metabolic problems affect smooth muscle cells in blood vessels and the development of unstable plaques. They will look at how glycolysis and other metabolic pathways influence the fibrous cap that stabilizes plaques, aiming to connect diabetes-related metabolism with heart attack and stroke risk. The work involves human-relevant biology and animal/cell experiments to understand the mechanisms behind plaque vulnerability in adults with diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Insights could pave the way for new strategies to prevent cardiovascular events in people with T2D and obesity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how diabetes-related metabolism affects plaque stability could lead to new treatments that prevent heart attacks and strokes in people with diabetes or metabolic syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work links smooth muscle cell behavior and plaque stability to cardiovascular risk, with ongoing insights into metabolism-driven mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Owens, Gary K — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Owens, Gary K
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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.