Targeting GITR to treat clogged arteries
Official title: Unraveling the cell divergent roles of Glucocorticoid-Induced TNF-R Related Protein (GITR): A new opportunity to treat atherosclerosis using targeted immunotherapy
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11247935 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Testing whether targeting a protein called GITR can calm artery inflammation and help people with atherosclerosis reduce dangerous plaque.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $712,785 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL171097-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11247935 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with atherosclerosis—such as those with coronary or carotid artery plaques or undergoing vascular procedures—would be most relevant for participation or tissue donation.
✕Less likely to help
People without artery plaque or whose heart disease is driven mainly by non-inflammatory causes may not see direct benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Researchers will study GITR, an immune protein found on T cells and macrophages, in human artery plaques and in mouse models to understand how it shapes plaque inflammation and stability. They will use single-cell sequencing and cell-type specific experiments to pinpoint which immune cells drive disease and how GITR signals in those cells. Based on those results, the team will test targeted immunotherapy approaches in preclinical models to see if altering GITR can change plaque behavior. The project combines human tissue analysis, advanced lab methods, and animal studies to move toward treatments that act on the immune system inside plaques.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new immune-based treatments that stabilize plaques and lower the risk of heart attack and stroke.
How similar studies have gone: Prior anti-inflammatory trials have reduced cardiovascular events, but directly targeting immune checkpoints like GITR is a newer approach supported mainly by promising preclinical data and little clinical testing so far.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lutgens, Esther — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Lutgens, Esther
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
A targeted immune therapy against artery disease using a liposome-linked ApoB fragment
A first-in-class approach aims to train the immune system to fight atherosclerosis by using a tiny ApoB fragment displayed on a liposome to elicit a protective immune response.
-
Exploring a new way to treat atherosclerosis using targeted immunotherapy.
This study is looking at how a protein called GITR affects the buildup of plaque in arteries, which can lead to heart problems, and aims to find new treatments that could help reduce inflammation and improve health for people with atherosclerosis.
-
Boosting immune response to fight cancer
This study is exploring a new way to help your immune system better fight cancer by tweaking certain cells in your body, and it aims to improve treatment for people with advanced cancer.
-
A center focused on immunotherapy for pediatric cancers.
This study is exploring new ways to use the body's immune system to fight childhood cancers, aiming to create better treatments for kids whose cancers haven't responded well to standard therapies.
-
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.
-
Algorithms to find HLA-E neoantigens for cancer immunotherapy
Aims to develop computer methods to discover tumor-specific targets presented by HLA-E to guide new T cell therapies for cancer.
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.