RUNX3 and changes in artery walls
RUNX3 in Vascular Wall Remodeling
This project looks at whether changing the RUNX3 protein can stop artery wall cells from turning into an overgrown, disease-causing state in adults with artery disease or after angioplasty.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tyler, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258536 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will change RUNX3 levels in vascular smooth muscle cells in the lab and expose those cells to growth signals like PDGF-BB to see how they respond. They will measure contractile markers, cell proliferation, and signaling molecules such as myocardin/SRF and c-Myc to understand how RUNX3 controls the cell switch. The team will use cell-based experiments and may use animal models to study how RUNX3 affects artery wall remodeling. Results will be used to guide future ways to prevent restenosis after angioplasty or slow atherosclerosis progression.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, hypertension, aneurysm, or patients who have had or will have angioplasty would be the most relevant candidates to contribute samples or be considered for future trials.
Not a fit: People without vascular disease, children, or those whose conditions are not driven by smooth muscle cell remodeling are unlikely to benefit directly from this work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that prevent artery narrowing and complications after angioplasty by targeting RUNX3-driven changes.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory studies have long shown that PDGF-BB drives smooth muscle cell changes and the investigators' preliminary data link RUNX3 to that process, but targeting RUNX3 as a therapy is novel and has not yet been tested in patients.
Where this research is happening
Tyler, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler — Tyler, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guo, Xia — University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler
- Study coordinator: Guo, Xia
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.