TSPAN14's role in coronary artery disease
Tspan14 expression and function in cardiovascular disease
Researchers are looking at whether higher TSPAN14 levels in blood vessel and immune cells protect people from coronary artery disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11161593 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project combines human genetics, computational models, and lab experiments to understand how DNA changes near the TSPAN14 gene alter its activity in vascular endothelial cells and monocytes. The team uses an Activity-by-Contact model to link noncoding DNA enhancers at chromosome 10q23 to TSPAN14, population genetics to show how TSPAN14 levels relate to heart disease risk, and cell-based experiments including TSPAN14 knockdown and RNA sequencing to find affected pathways. They are following up on TSPAN14's interaction with the ADAM10 protein and potential effects on Notch signaling as well as Notch-independent functions. The work primarily uses patient-derived genetic data and cellular models to map a pathway that could influence coronary artery disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with coronary artery disease or who are at high risk and who are willing to provide genetic or blood samples for research would be the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: People without coronary artery disease or those seeking an immediate change in clinical care are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic genetic and cell-based research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal a protective biological mechanism and point to new targets to prevent or treat coronary artery disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous genetics and enhancer-mapping studies have successfully linked noncoding variants to target genes and disease mechanisms, but implicating TSPAN14 in CAD is a newer finding that still requires validation.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee-Kim, Vivian — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Lee-Kim, Vivian
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.