Understanding how blood triglyceride levels are controlled
Solving longstanding mysteries in plasma triglyceride metabolism
Researchers are looking at key proteins and genes that control blood triglycerides to help people with very high triglyceride levels and related heart or pancreas problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249960 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, the team will follow up on discoveries about proteins that move and regulate the enzyme that breaks down triglycerides (like LPL and GPIHBP1) and study regulatory proteins such as ANGPTL3, ANGPTL4, and APOA5. They will use lab experiments, biophysical measurements, animal models, and analyses of human samples to see how these molecules work and interact. The investigators have previously solved protein structures and discovered a treatable autoimmune cause of severe triglyceride disease, and they will build on those findings to tackle remaining unknowns. The work aims to identify biomarkers or targets that could eventually guide diagnosis or new treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with very high triglyceride levels, recurrent pancreatitis, genetic chylomicronemia, or unexplained extreme hypertriglyceridemia would be the most relevant candidates to provide samples or be followed.
Not a fit: People with mildly elevated triglycerides that respond to diet and standard medications are unlikely to see direct benefits from this laboratory-focused project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to diagnose or treat severe triglyceride disorders and reduce risks like pancreatitis and cardiovascular disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work from these laboratories solved the GPIHBP1–LPL structure and identified GPIHBP1 autoantibodies causing chylomicronemia, showing their approaches have yielded clinically important discoveries while other aims remain novel.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fong, Loren Gi — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Fong, Loren Gi
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.