Understanding how blood vessels leak in conditions like ARDS
Novel Mechanisms Controlling Endothelial Junctions and Vascular Permeability
This work explores new ways to strengthen blood vessel walls, which could help people with conditions where leaky vessels cause problems, like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11096007 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our blood vessels have a special lining called the endothelium that acts like a barrier, preventing fluid from leaking into tissues. When this barrier becomes too leaky, it can lead to serious health issues such as swelling, sepsis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This project aims to discover how to make this barrier stronger by focusing on specific connections between cells in the vessel lining, called VE-cadherin junctions. We are using special tools, including unique antibodies, to understand how these connections are regulated and how they can be tightened to prevent fluid leakage. The goal is to find new ways to protect tissues from damage caused by inflammation and leaky blood vessels.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but focuses on understanding mechanisms relevant to individuals experiencing conditions caused by leaky blood vessels, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Not a fit: Patients without conditions related to excessive vascular leakiness or inflammation would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that strengthen blood vessel barriers, potentially preventing or reducing the severity of conditions like ARDS and other inflammation-related diseases.
How similar studies have performed: While the general concept of endothelial barrier function is known, this project explores a novel hypothesis regarding allosteric regulation of VE-cadherin, making its specific approach largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gumbiner, Barry M. — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Gumbiner, Barry M.
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.