Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) awarded $130,275 to the University of Connecticut Health Center under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837) for a two-year project (April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2028). This Project Grant supports research investigating the role of TRPM7-mediated signaling in vascular remodeling associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The research will examine TRPM7 expression and regulation in human vascular smooth muscle cells and AAA tissue samples, utilizing advanced single-cell RNA sequencing technologies to characterize the pathogenic mechanisms underlying aneurysmal remodeling. The project employs transgenic and knockout mouse models with lineage tracing, combined with molecular and cellular investigations, to elucidate how TRPM7 activity contributes to the reprogramming of vascular smooth muscle cells from a contractile to a synthetic state.

The deliverables include comprehensive characterization of TRPM7 and its endogenous inhibitor ARL15 in human and murine models, identification of molecular mechanisms linking TRPM7-mediated ionic signaling to inflammatory responses and cell reprogramming in AAA development, and potential development of novel therapeutic targets for managing abdominal aortic aneurysm progression in patients ineligible for surgical intervention. This research aligns with the NHLBI's mission to advance prevention and treatment of heart and vascular diseases through basic, translational, and mechanistic investigations.