Why some people with type 1 diabetes get major coronary artery disease and others don't

Examining Susceptibility and Resistance Phenotypes to Enhance Understanding of the Genetic Basis of Major Coronary Artery Disease in Type 1 Diabetes

NIH-funded research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11117175

This project looks for genes and immune-system markers that explain who with type 1 diabetes is likely to develop serious coronary artery disease so risk can be spotted earlier.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-11117175 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

From my perspective as someone with type 1 diabetes, the team will compare people who develop major coronary artery disease with those who do not, using detailed clinical records, blood tests, and genetic data. They will measure networks of inflammatory and immune biomarkers in blood and link those patterns to genetic differences that may raise or lower CAD risk. By using more precise definitions of CAD and looking for resistance as well as susceptibility, they hope to find clearer biological pathways. The work combines lab tests on patient samples with computer-based analyses of genes and biomarkers to point to possible targets for future prevention or treatment.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants are people with type 1 diabetes who can share their medical history and provide blood samples, including those with and without cardiovascular events.

Not a fit: People without type 1 diabetes or those unable to give blood samples or medical records are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify which people with type 1 diabetes are at highest risk for major coronary artery disease and suggest new ways to prevent or treat it.

How similar studies have performed: Related studies in broader populations have linked inflammation and genetics to coronary disease, but applying precise phenotypes and biomarker networks specifically in type 1 diabetes is less common and may yield new findings.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Brittle Diabetes MellitusCandidate Disease Gene
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.