Targeting immune cells to prevent brain AVM bleeding from KRAS mutations
Official title: Microglia/macrophages as target to prevent intracerebral hemorrhage in KRAS mutation-induced brain arteriovenous malformations
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11303353 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looks at whether calming immune cells around brain arteriovenous malformations can lower the risk of life‑threatening brain bleeds in people whose AVMs are linked to KRAS mutations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $390,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS126415-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11303353 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with brain arteriovenous malformations, especially those known or suspected to have KRAS-driven AVMs or who are at high risk of rupture, would be most relevant for future therapies from this work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose AVMs are caused by other genetic changes or who require immediate surgical intervention are less likely to benefit directly from these preclinical findings.
What this research studies
This research uses lab models and a new mouse model that places a KRAS mutation into brain blood vessel cells to mimic human brain AVMs. Scientists will study how those mutated vessel cells change nearby immune cells (microglia and macrophages) and how that inflammation weakens vessel walls. They will use cell cultures, genetic tools, and imaging to trace the molecular signals between endothelial cells and immune cells. The aim is to find targets for therapies that could stabilize AVMs and prevent intracerebral hemorrhage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to drug treatments that stabilize AVMs and reduce the risk of dangerous brain bleeds, potentially avoiding risky surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has identified KRAS mutations and inflammation in human AVMs, but targeting microglia/macrophages to prevent rupture is novel and remains mainly at the preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Park, Eunsu — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Park, Eunsu
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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.