Understanding how diabetes affects artery hardening
Official title: Role of Smooth Muscle Cell Insulin Resistance and Systemic Metabolic Dysfunction in Atherosclerosis Development and Late Stage Lesion Pathogenesis
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11094923 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to understand how insulin resistance and other metabolic issues in people with type 2 diabetes make artery hardening worse.
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 start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $801,758 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL166161-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11094923 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant for individuals with adult-onset diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetes or metabolic syndrome may not directly benefit from this specific research focus on insulin resistance.
What this research studies
Heart attacks and strokes are often caused by hardened arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis, which is becoming more common, especially in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. We know that unstable plaques in the arteries, which are more common in diabetics, can rupture and cause these serious events. This work explores how problems with insulin in certain artery cells, called smooth muscle cells, contribute to these unstable plaques. By understanding these cellular changes, we hope to find new ways to prevent dangerous plaque rupture.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that strengthen artery plaques and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes for people with diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work by this team has shown that smooth muscle cells and their metabolic pathways are critical for plaque stability, suggesting a promising direction for this research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Owens, Gary K — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Owens, Gary K
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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.