Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill received a $773,466 Project Grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837), awarded July 3, 2026, with completion targeted for March 31, 2030. This multi-principal investigator research initiative delivers integrated scientific investigation into CXCL5-CXCR2 signaling mechanisms in macrophage cholesterol efflux and atherosclerosis progression. The award funds hypothesis-driven mechanistic research spanning three primary research objectives: characterization of CXCL5-CXCR2 signaling pathways in human macrophages using multi-omics and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing techniques (Aim 1); mapping of CXCL5-dependent immune cell responses through single-cell RNA sequencing in murine and human datasets (Aim 2); and preclinical evaluation of CXCL5's therapeutic potential to prevent and reverse atherosclerotic plaque progression (Aim 3).

This research addresses a critical gap in cardiovascular disease management by investigating immune-mediated mechanisms of atherosclerosis development, building on preliminary data demonstrating that elevated CXCL5 levels enhance macrophage cholesterol efflux and limit disease progression in animal models. The deliverables encompass scientific publications, preclinical validation studies, and mechanistic insights intended to support the development of novel immune-based therapeutic approaches for cardiovascular disease—complementing existing lipid-lowering therapies such as statins that have limited capacity to address immune dysregulation pathways implicated in human genetic studies of coronary artery disease.