Understanding Lipids and Immune Cells in Benign Prostate Enlargement
Official title: Identifying the role of lipid accumulation and foam cells in benign prostate disease
Funded at Old Dominion University · NIH-11177016 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how fat buildup and certain immune cells contribute to prostate enlargement in aging men, hoping to find new ways to help.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Old Dominion University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Norfolk, United States) |
| Project start | August 27, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $452,707 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK139114-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11177016 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant to aging men experiencing symptoms of benign prostate enlargement (BPH).
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose prostate issues are not related to lipid accumulation or foam cell activity may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
What this research studies
Many aging men experience benign prostate enlargement (BPH), causing uncomfortable urinary symptoms that current treatments don't fully address. Our previous work found that fat accumulates in the prostate and immune cells called foam cells appear in BPH. This project aims to understand why this happens and what effects it has by looking at human prostate samples and using special mouse models. We will investigate how inflammation, fat buildup, and these foam cells interact to cause urinary problems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new and more effective treatments for benign prostate enlargement and its bothersome urinary symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: This project builds upon prior findings that identified lipid accumulation and foam cells in BPH, aiming to uncover the specific causes and consequences of these processes.
Where this research is happening
-
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Popovics, Petra — Old Dominion University
- Study coordinator: Popovics, Petra
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.