Targeting sterol lipids to protect the heart and vessels
Official title: Targeting lipolytic sterol signaling to foster favorable foam cell modulation and atheroprotection.
Funded at Albany Medical College · NIH-11289717 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are testing a way to tune how fat is stored and processed by immune cells in artery plaques to reduce heart disease risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albany Medical College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albany, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2026 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $586,474 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL183900-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11289717 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with ASCVD or at risk of atherosclerosis may benefit from future therapies derived from these findings.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without cardiovascular disease or risk factors may not directly benefit from this specific mechanistic research.
What this research studies
This project focuses on how lipid droplets in foam cells influence inflammation and plaque stability, aiming to find mechanisms that promote a protective, reparative cell state. Researchers will study the liver X receptor pathway and a lipid droplet–associated enzyme (LDAH) to understand how they control cholesterol balance and inflammation in macrophages within atherosclerotic lesions. By examining lipids, gene activity, and cell behavior, the work seeks to identify strategies that could lead to safer, more stable plaques. The grant supports experiments in a model that mimics human atherosclerosis, with the goal of uncovering new targets for therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new approaches that stabilize arteries and reduce heart attack risk by harnessing natural ways cells manage lipids and inflammation.
How similar studies have gone: Recent studies linking lipid handling in foam cells to reparative phenotypes have shown promise, supporting the potential of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Albany Medical College
Albany, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Paul, Antonio — Albany Medical College
- Study coordinator: Paul, Antonio
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.