Understanding how blood vessel calcification is linked to heart disease risk
Official title: Molecular mechanisms of vascular calcification and their connection to coronary disease risk
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11082325 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain cells in your blood vessels change and contribute to heart disease, with the hope of finding new ways to prevent or treat conditions like coronary artery disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $569,364 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL158525-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11082325 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for coronary artery disease, particularly those with a family history or genetic predispositions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with established coronary artery disease who are already receiving treatment may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the molecular mechanisms behind vascular calcification and its connection to coronary artery disease (CAD). By using advanced techniques like lineage tracing and single cell RNA sequencing in mouse models, the study aims to uncover how smooth muscle cells in blood vessels change into different cell types that contribute to disease. The researchers have identified specific genes that influence these transitions, which could lead to new insights into preventing or treating heart disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating coronary artery disease by targeting the mechanisms of vascular calcification.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding vascular disease mechanisms, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quertermous, Thomas — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Quertermous, Thomas
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How the protective gene TCF21 helps arteries resist heart disease
This research looks at how a protective gene called TCF21 changes artery wall cells in ways that may lower the risk of coronary artery disease.
-
Investigating how mindfulness affects inflammation in heart disease
This study is looking at how practicing mindfulness can help reduce inflammation and improve heart health in people with stable coronary disease by seeing how stress affects the brain and body.
-
Tailored digital support to cut sedentary time in long-term cardiac rehab
In adults in a long-term cardiac rehabilitation program, this study tests whether a personalized behavioural program with digital tools can reduce daily sitting time.
-
Predicting how coronary artery disease progresses in adults 45 and younger
This project will try to build prediction models using coronary CT scans and health data from people aged 18–45 to see who is more likely to have plaque get worse over time.
-
Freesolve resorbable magnesium scaffold vs. Xience stent for up to two new heart artery lesions
This trial tests whether the Freesolve resorbable magnesium scaffold works as well as the Xience drug-eluting stent for treating up to two new coronary artery lesions in adults.
-
Italian Cardiac Rehabilitation Registry for Coronary Disease and Heart Failure
This registry collects real-world information to see how cardiac rehabilitation programs work for adults recovering from coronary disease or heart failure across Italy.
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.