Understanding how inflammation affects blood vessels in obesity
Paracrine TNF signaling impairs endothelial TRPV4 microdomains in obesity
This research explores how inflammation in obesity can harm blood vessels and raise blood pressure, hoping to find new ways to help.
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-11063984 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
When you have obesity, your blood vessels can struggle to work properly, which often leads to high blood pressure. Our bodies have tiny channels called TRPV4 that help blood vessels relax and keep blood pressure healthy. However, in obesity, inflammation, specifically a protein called TNF, seems to interfere with these channels. We are looking into how TNF from certain cells in blood vessels might cause this damage, aiming to uncover new targets for treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research focuses on understanding disease mechanisms, so direct patient participation is not expected at this stage.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical intervention would not benefit from this early-stage basic science.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new medications or strategies to protect blood vessels and lower blood pressure for people with obesity.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown that TRPV4 channels are important for blood pressure and that inflammation can reduce their activity in obesity, providing a strong foundation for this specific investigation.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sonkusare, Swapnil K. — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Sonkusare, Swapnil K.
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.