Federal Grant Award Summary

New York University School of Medicine received a $1,690,440 Project Grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837), awarded June 5, 2026, with completion scheduled for February 29, 2028. The grant funds research investigating immune mechanisms that impede atherosclerotic plaque regression in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients, addressing a critical gap in understanding why cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population despite standard-of-care interventions.

The research employs single-cell technologies and computational methods to study human and mouse atherosclerotic plaques, focusing on the expansion of gamma-delta (γδ) T cells as a key driver of aggravated atherosclerosis in T2D. Preliminary findings indicate that γδ T cells are significantly elevated in T2D plaques and blood samples, with differential responses to lipid-lowering interventions between male and female patients. The study examines the role of the transcription factor ZEB2 in regulating γδ T cell function and investigates how T2D impairs plaque regression mechanisms. Deliverables include mechanistic characterization of γδ T cell contributions to atherosclerosis progression and identification of potential therapeutic targets to improve cardiovascular outcomes in T2D patients.