Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center received a $456,500 Project Grant awarded on May 15, 2026, from the National Institute on Aging under the Aging Research program (CFDA 93.866) to conduct research on "Genetic Modifiers of Atherosclerosis: Understanding and Targeting the Mechanism of the APOER2-R952Q Mutation." The research project, scheduled for completion by April 30, 2028, will be performed in Dallas, Texas. This award supports biomedical research directed toward understanding the aging process and age-related diseases, with focus on atherosclerosis—a progressive cardiovascular condition linked to aging, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia that remains a leading cause of death worldwide despite preventive therapies.

The research will investigate the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying the apolipoprotein E receptor-2 (APOER2) R952Q variant, a significant genetic modifier for premature atherosclerosis and acute myocardial infarction. The project will examine how APOER2 interacts with reelin, an extracellular protein abundant in blood, and how this interaction promotes vascular inflammation and leukocyte infiltration. By clarifying the functional consequences of this gain-of-function mutation and identifying potential therapeutic targets, the research is expected to generate scientific knowledge that advances understanding of cardiovascular aging and may lead to novel interventions for atherosclerosis prevention and treatment.