Monday, February 16, 2026 2/16/2026

Neutrophils play a pivotal role in vascular aging

Award Number: R01HL168560
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, & BLOOD INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/22/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2027

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Neutrophils play a pivotal role in vascular aging - Project Summary/Abstract Socioeconomic status and psychological stressors are known to contribute significantly to vascular aging, a process of gradual deterioration of blood vessel structure and function, leading to the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Chronic inflammation is believed to mediate vascular aging. We discovered that mice lacking neutrophil elastase (NE), a serine protease released by neutrophils, significantly reverse aging-related arterial stiffness, a hallmark of vascular aging. Our observations suggest that neutrophils and NE are pivotal in aging-related vascular stiffening. Our parent grant, funded by NHLBI, investigates the molecular mechanism by which NE interacts with the vascular cells, contributing to inflammation, fibrosis, and calcification in the arterials. However, whether stress-related vascular aging is mediated by neutrophil activation and subsequent vascular inflammatory damage is unknown. We hypothesize that social stress can activate the sympathetic nerve system (SNS) and release catecholamines from the sympathetic nerve terminus. Catecholamines stimulate the cAMP signaling and activate the hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) pathway, leading to lipolysis and free fatty acid (FFA) formation. FFAs increase G-CSF expression, stimulating neutrophil production and mobilization from BM to blood circulation, increasing neutrophil-vascular cell interaction and inflammatory injury, and accelerating vascular aging and the development of cardiovascular diseases. Our NE knockout (NEKO) mice provide a unique and valuable tool to evaluate the potential link between neutrophil activation and social stress-related acceleration of vascular aging. Here, we propose to examine and compare social isolation-induced stress responses and signaling in bone marrow (BM), neutrophil activation, and vascular stiffening with NEKO mice and wild-type littermates. This supplement proposal integrates well with and within the scope of the parent project, connecting neutrophil activation and vascular aging. Successful completion of the project provides a solid foundation for a new RO1 proposal for the candidate and new insight into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of social stress-related vascular aging and cardiovascular diseases.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $746,048 )
2025	2025	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	85 EAST NEWTON ST # M-921	BOSTON	MA	02118	SUFFOLK	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	000	3	3/5/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$487,954
2025	2025	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	85 EAST NEWTON ST # M-921	BOSTON	MA	02118	SUFFOLK	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	002	3	8/28/2025	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$203,878
2025	2025	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	85 EAST NEWTON ST # M-921	BOSTON	MA	02118	SUFFOLK	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	001	3	7/16/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$54,216
														Subtotal = $746,048

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $571,752 )
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	85 EAST NEWTON ST # M-921	BOSTON	MA	02118	SUFFOLK	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	000	2	2/19/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$525,079
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	85 EAST NEWTON ST # M-921	BOSTON	MA	02118	SUFFOLK	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	001	2	6/22/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$46,673
														Subtotal = $571,752

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $583,420 )
2023	2023	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	85 E NEWTON ST M-921	BOSTON	MA	02118	SUFFOLK	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	000	1	3/22/2023	NEW	$583,420
														Subtotal = $583,420

Grand Total All Awards = $1,901,220

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Neutrophils play a pivotal role in vascular aging

Award Number: R01HL168560

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, & BLOOD INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/22/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2027

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer