# Mechanisms of aortopathy in LRP1 deficiency

> **NIH NIH K08** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 2021 · $163,126

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 Aortic dissection and aneurysmal disease accounts for over 10,000 deaths in the United States each
year, and 1-2% of all deaths in Western countries. Consistent with prior studies that reveal that tight regulation
of the TGFβ signaling pathways is essential for vascular development and the maintenance of the vessel wall,
our preliminary data suggest overactivity of this pathway contributes to aortopathy. In addition, our preliminary
proteomic data suggests activation of the PDGF pathway in two animal models of aneurysm and dissection.
 The Ucuzian lab, under the mentorship of Dr. Strickland, has utilized two murine models of aortic disease
to identify several dysregulated pathways associated with aortopathy: 1) a smooth muscle cell specific LDL
receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) deficiency model; and 2) a lysyl oxidase (LOX) inhibition model using the drug
-aminopropionitrile (BAPN). Exciting preliminary data by the Ucuzian and Strickland labs has identified a novel
finding that mild aerobic exercise attenuates the aortopathy associated with both smLRP1 deficiency and LOX
inhibition. The objectives of this proposal are to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which aneurysms and
dissections develop, and to investigate exercise intervention to attenuate these processes. We will utilize both
a mouse models of aortopathy and a human subject study to address these questions.
Specific Aim 1. To define mechanisms underlying the development of aortic disease using two mouse
models of aortopathy. The hypothesis is that smLRP1 and LOX protects against the development of aortic
aneurysm and dissection by attenuating TGF and/or PDGF mediated signaling events.
Specific Aim 2. To define mechanisms by which mild aerobic exercise attenuates the development of
aortic disease using two mouse models of aortopathy. The hypothesis is that exercise prevents aortic
aneurysm and dissection formation by attenuating TGF and/or PDGF mediated signaling events.
Specific Aim 3. To identify dysregulated molecular pathways in patients presenting with ascending
aortic aneurysms and Type A dissections. The primary hypothesis is that TGF signaling will be activated
in human subjects presenting with thoracic aneurysms and dissections. The secondary hypothesis is that the
presence of these pathway disturbances will correlate with the severity and extent of aortic disease
presentation.
 The long-term goals of Dr. Areck Ucuzian, the trainee, is to become an independent physician-scientist
in the field of Vascular Biology. His short-term goal is to cultivate the skills and experience required of a
researcher to become an independent clinician-investigator. The current proposal focuses specifically on a
fundamental mechanism of vessel wall homeostasis which prevents a broad range of vascular diseases. The
Aims of this study are planned to be completed at the Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases (CVID)
and the University of Maryland, Baltimore ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10066364
- **Project number:** 5K08HL146893-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **Principal Investigator:** Areck A Ucuzian
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $163,126
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-12-10 → 2024-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10066364

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10066364, Mechanisms of aortopathy in LRP1 deficiency (5K08HL146893-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10066364. Licensed CC0.

---

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