Understanding how certain proteins affect blood vessel function and adaptation.
Official title: Role of endothelial Sox17 in EC-SMC crosstalk and homeostatic regulation of blood vessel adaption to arterial hemodynamics
Funded at Northeastern University · NIH-11093929 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain proteins, especially Sox17, help blood vessel cells talk to each other, which could lead to better ways to treat blood vessel diseases and improve healing in the body.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $583,508 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL162908-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11093929 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults with vascular disorders or those who may benefit from blood vessel grafts.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-vascular related conditions or those under 21 years old may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of specific proteins, particularly Sox17, in the communication between endothelial cells (which line blood vessels) and smooth muscle cells. By examining the differences between arterial and venous endothelial cells, the study aims to uncover how these proteins influence blood vessel structure and function in adults. The researchers will use advanced techniques to manipulate the expression of these proteins and observe the resulting changes in cell behavior and blood vessel adaptation. This could lead to new insights into treating vascular diseases and improving tissue engineering applications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for vascular diseases and better outcomes for patients requiring blood vessel grafts.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding the role of transcription factors in vascular biology, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Northeastern University
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dai, Guohao — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Dai, Guohao
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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.