Serotonin in the fat around the aorta and regional aortic disease
The serotonergic system in periaortic fat regulates regional aortopathy development
This research looks at whether serotonin made in the fat surrounding different parts of the aorta can cause local inflammation that leads to regional aortic disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136444 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers study how the fat that surrounds different parts of the aorta makes serotonin and how that might drive local inflammation and weak spots in the aortic wall. They use mouse models treated with angiotensin II to produce regional aortopathies, measure serotonin and Htr3 receptor levels in periaortic fat, and test whether blocking Htr3 changes disease development. Lab experiments also test how macrophages respond to serotonin and whether this alters mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and inflammation. Early mouse data showed that an Htr3 blocker prevented regional aortopathies, and this project expands those studies to clarify the underlying mechanisms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with thoracic or abdominal aortic aneurysms or who are at high risk for aortic disease are the patient groups most likely to benefit from this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose aortic problems are caused by unrelated mechanisms that do not involve periaortic fat or serotonin signaling may not benefit from findings of this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to a new target (the Htr3 serotonin receptor) for drugs to prevent or treat regional aortic aneurysms.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical mouse studies reported here showed that blocking the Htr3 serotonin receptor abolished AngII-induced regional aortopathies, but this approach has not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cassis, Lisa a — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Cassis, Lisa a
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.