Where and how the support cells around tiny blood vessels (pericytes) form and differ across organs
Developmental origins of pericyte heterogeneity
This project looks at how pericytes — the cells that support blood vessels and the blood–brain barrier — develop and differ across organs to guide future ways to protect brain and vascular health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11253284 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project follows where pericytes come from during development using laboratory models and genetic labeling tools to track cells over time. Researchers will profile the genes active in different pericyte groups and compare them across organs to map molecular and functional differences. They will use high-resolution imaging and tissue analysis to see how pericyte differences affect capillary and blood–brain barrier function. These experiments focus on basic mechanisms in the lab rather than testing treatments in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This grant does not currently recruit patients, though future clinical studies inspired by this work might seek people with neurodegenerative diseases or conditions involving blood–brain barrier dysfunction.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate new treatments should not expect direct benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal mechanisms that underlie blood–brain barrier breakdown and point to new targets for preventing or treating neurological and vascular diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and cell studies show pericytes are important for blood–brain barrier integrity, but systematically mapping their developmental origins and heterogeneity is a newer research direction.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lawson, Nathan D — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Lawson, Nathan D
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.