Understanding Type 2 Diabetes, APOC3, and Heart Disease
Project 1. Type 2 diabetes, APOC3 and cardiovascular disease
This work explores how a protein called APOC3 contributes to heart disease in people with type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11096556 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We know that people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes face a much higher risk of early heart disease, and this risk is partly due to how their bodies handle certain fats, not just blood sugar or LDL cholesterol. This project looks at a specific protein, APOC3, which is linked to these fats and seems to predict heart disease in people with diabetes. We are trying to understand how certain immune cells in the body influence the liver's production of APOC3 and how these APOC3-rich fats affect the cells involved in heart disease. Our goal is to uncover the exact ways APOC3 contributes to heart disease in type 2 diabetes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational work is for anyone interested in the underlying causes of heart disease in type 2 diabetes, particularly those with a family history or personal experience with these conditions.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical intervention will not find that benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat heart disease in people with diabetes by targeting APOC3 or related pathways.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown that reducing APOC3 can prevent atherosclerosis in mouse models of diabetes, suggesting this is a promising area of focus.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bornfeldt, Karin E — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Bornfeldt, Karin E
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.