Why some people with type 1 diabetes get major coronary artery disease and others don't
Official title: Examining Susceptibility and Resistance Phenotypes to Enhance Understanding of the Genetic Basis of Major Coronary Artery Disease in Type 1 Diabetes
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11117175 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 27, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $319,386 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL161879-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11117175 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
People without type 1 diabetes or those unable to give blood samples or medical records are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
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.
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 gone: 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
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University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, Rachel Grace — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Miller, Rachel Grace
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding why some people with type 1 diabetes get or avoid major heart disease due to genetics
A study looks at genetic factors and immune-related markers to understand why some young people with type 1 diabetes develop major heart disease and others don’t.
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Helping people with type 1 diabetes regain awareness of dangerous lows
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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.