# Disparities in Hypertension Risk Amongst Young Adults: The Role of Epigenetics

> **NIH NIH K22** · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · 2020 · $115,954

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 Young African Americans (AAs) are 3X as likely to have a stroke compared to European Americans
(EAs). A major challenge for reducing disparities in stroke amongst young AAs is the poor understanding of
molecular mechanisms that facilitate early onset hypertension in healthy, asymptomatic AAs. The long-term
goal of the candidate is to establish an independent research career focused on understanding the role of social
epigenomics in modulating racially disparate outcomes in cerebrovascular diseases. The objective of this
application is to systematically investigate social epigenomic mechanisms associated with aberrant arterial
stiffness patterns, which precedes the development of hypertension, in asymptomatic blacks vs whites. Given
that adverse experiences are known to mediate epigenetic changes in the vasculature, our central hypotheses
are that 1) psychosocial stress is associated with differences in cfPWV between AAs and EAs and that 2)
altered expression extracellular matrix-specific miRNAs are associated with cfPWV as a function of differences
in psychosocial stress. Three specific aims address these interrelated hypotheses. In Aim 1 (Training-Phase I)
we will determine the association between psychosocial stress and arterial stiffness in AA and EA college
students. Here, we will correlate arterial stiffness, as measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity with
childhood and early adulthood psychosocial stress using validated survey tools. In Aim 2 (Transition to
Independence, Phase I/II) we will determine the expression patterns of extracellular matrix-relevant plasma and
serum proteins in AA and EA subjects using liquid biopsy samples acquired from college students in Aim 1. We
will assess protein levels using ELISA and Western blot assays. In Aim 3 (Independent Aim/Phase II) we will
use a bioinformatics approach to identify extracellular vesicle and plasma concentrations of extracellular matrix-
relevant microRNAs in AAs and EAs study subjects. Upon successful completion of the proposed research and
training, we expect to provide insight on molecular mechanisms that drive premature large artery stiffening in
young, healthy AAs race individuals. This contribution is expected to be significant because it will provide
potential novel therapeutic avenues for the postponement of hypertension onset in AAs that will help alleviate
disparities in stroke incidence and mortality. Our research is innovative in that it seeks to shift this paradigm by
focusing on the how the biological embedding of adverse environmental exposures (e.g. abuse, racism) impacts
premature large artery stiffness and differential expression of relevant epigenetic biomarkers such as
microRNAs. Moreover, it utilizes a transdisciplinary approach to address the clinical problem. The proposed
studies will provide a platform for Dr. Buie to gain expertise and training in clinical trial design, implementation
and analysis. Moreover, she will become pro...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10041337
- **Project number:** 1K22NS118160-01
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
- **Principal Investigator:** Joy N Jones Buie
- **Activity code:** K22 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $115,954
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-15 → 2021-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10041337

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10041337, Disparities in Hypertension Risk Amongst Young Adults: The Role of Epigenetics (1K22NS118160-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10041337. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*