Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) awarded the University of Texas at Dallas $347,657 on February 15, 2026, under the Aging Research program (CFDA 93.866) to support a project extending through January 31, 2031. This Project Grant funds research investigating a novel astrocyte endfoot protein, AQP4X, arising from translational readthrough and its role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. The research team has developed loss-of-function (AQP4NO_X) and gain-of-function (AQP4ALL_X) transgenic mouse models crossed with an AD model (APP/PS1) to elucidate the mechanisms by which AQP4X facilitates amyloid-beta (Aβ) clearance and plaque remodeling. The research deliverables include characterization of AQP4X localization in specialized astrocytic projections called endfeet that surround blood vessels, comparative analysis of Aβ clearance efficiency between the transgenic models, and mechanistic insights into how this protein variant influences AD neuropathology progression.

This research directly supports the NIA's mission to advance understanding of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias through biomedical investigation. The project addresses a critical gap in understanding aquaporin 4 biology and its therapeutic potential, with findings expected to inform future therapeutic strategies targeting astrocyte-mediated Aβ clearance pathways in neurodegenerative disease. The work exemplifies the Aging Research program's focus on molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying age-related diseases and contributes to the broader scientific effort to develop preventive and treatment approaches for the growing population affected by Alzheimer's disease.