Why heart disease develops differently in people with type 1 diabetes
Official title: Molecular Drivers of Atherosclerosis in Diabetes
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11194510 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project compares immune signals and artery plaque features in people with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and without diabetes to learn why heart disease is worse in type 1 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $947,600 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DK142283-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11194510 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants would include adults with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, especially those with known atherosclerosis, along with non-diabetic adults who can serve as comparison controls.
✕Less likely to help
People seeking immediate changes to their medical treatment may not benefit because this project is focused on understanding mechanisms rather than testing a therapy.
What this research studies
The team will compare blood proteins and immune cell types among people with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and people without diabetes. They will study cells and molecular signals inside atherosclerotic plaques using advanced single-cell technologies and disease models. The research uses patient blood and plaque samples to link genetic and immune differences to plaque composition and cell-to-cell communication. The goal is to identify specific molecular drivers that may explain the higher cardiovascular risk seen in type 1 diabetes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat artery disease specifically in people with type 1 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked immune activity to diabetes-related artery disease, but comprehensive single-cell and plaque comparisons across type 1, type 2, and non-diabetic groups are relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Onengut, Suna — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Onengut, Suna
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Molecular Drivers of Atherosclerosis in Diabetes
This NIH grant supports research to understand why people with diabetes, especially type 1, have higher heart disease risk and how to prevent it with new ideas grounded in biology.
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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.