Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Washington received a $1.23 million Project Grant award from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837), effective May 1, 2026, with completion targeted for February 28, 2033. This research initiative will bridge basic and clinical research to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in diabetic populations by investigating the relationship between adipose tissue insulin resistance and hepatic apolipoprotein C3 (ApoC3) production. The study will examine how increased ApoC3 leads to accumulation of atherogenic triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles that promote vascular inflammation and early CVD development, particularly in youth with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes who experience disproportionate CVD risk despite LDL-cholesterol-lowering interventions.

The research program will generate scientific knowledge addressing three overarching research questions to test the hypothesis that abnormal triglyceride-rich lipoprotein metabolism represents a critical mechanism linking diabetes to premature CVD. This work is designed to inform development of preventive strategies targeting residual CVD risk in diabetic populations—particularly youth-onset Type 2 Diabetes, which is characterized by severe insulin resistance and arterial stiffening. The research will be conducted at the University of Washington's Office of Sponsored Programs Division in Seattle, Washington, leveraging the institution's multidisciplinary research infrastructure and expertise in biomedical research aligned with NHLBI's mission to promote prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.