Understanding how fat tissue around the heart and heart vessels go wrong in type 1 diabetes
Official title: Single-cell, multi-omic investigation of epicardial adipose and coronary endothelial dysfunction in type 1 diabetes
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11369262 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will study heart-specific fat and blood vessels at the cellular level in adults with type 1 diabetes to understand why cardiovascular disease is more dangerous in this group.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $991,069 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DK142338-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369262 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with type 1 diabetes who may have or be at risk for coronary artery disease.
✕Less likely to help
People without type 1 diabetes or without cardiovascular disease features may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project will use advanced single-cell and multi-omic techniques to examine epicardial fat and coronary arteries from people with type 1 diabetes. By analyzing cell states and gene regulation, the study aims to map how diabetes alters fat cells and endothelial cells that line blood vessels. In lab models, researchers will program adipocytes to mimic diabetic changes and test how inflammatory factors affect vessel function. The goal is to uncover molecular pathways that drive endothelial dysfunction and identify potential adipocytokines that disrupt heart blood vessel health. The work leverages the CARE-T1D tissue bank to connect tissue findings with functional outcomes in the vascular system.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Results could reveal new targets to prevent or treat heart disease in people with type 1 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous single-cell and endothelial studies in diabetes have identified disease-relevant cell states and regulatory networks, supporting this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Majithia, Amit — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Majithia, Amit
Related research
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Understanding heart disease in type 1 diabetes through fat and blood vessel cells
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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.