# Generation of Endothelial Cell Memory in Inflammatory Vascular Disease

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 2021 · $157,412

## Abstract

Summary of the Research Project: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening disease with
no cure
characterized by severe lesions in the pulmonary vessels due to hyperproliferation of vascular cells,
including endothelial cells. The primary cause of these lesions is largely unknown, but several studies indicate
they result from chronic inflammation, such as that caused by Schistosoma mansoni infection. ~10 million people
infected with S. mansoni develop PAH (Sch-PAH). Thus, a better understanding of how the infection promotes
the formation of vascular lesions will provide insights for identifying novel molecular targets for PAH treatment.
Recently, we reported that endothelial cells that survive to chronic lung injury, show reduced expression of the
anti-proliferative scaffolding protein caveolin-1 (Cav-1) and elevated response to pro-fibrotic TGF-β signaling.
Activation of TGF-β requires recruitment of Th2 cells into the lungs, which in turn expands Cav-1 depleted
endothelial cells and promote PAH. Although it is unknown how Cav-1-depleted endothelial cells contribute to
Sch-PAH, our preliminary data indicate enhanced expression of inhibitor of apoptosis protein 2 (c-IAP2) may
participate in this process. In line with this observation, data suggest that S. mansoni-primed endothelial cells
retain in vitro a memory of the in vivo infection. Specifically, this memory is characterized by impaired function
of the death associated receptor P2X7, which is controlled by Cav-1 expression. Thus, I hypothesize that while
S. mansoni infection leads to lung endothelial cell death and secretion of c-IAP2, recipient cells generate a long-
lasting survival memory required for endothelial-immune cell crosstalk and the development of Sch-PAH.
Candidate & Institutional Environment: Dr. Oliveira is Junior Faculty at the University of Illinois at Chicago
(UIC). She earned her Ph.D. in Immunobiology and M.Sc. in Pharmacology from the Federal University of Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil. As a Latin woman, she grew up surrounded by different cultural backgrounds, and thus,
learned how diversity is a crucial part of the human experience and existence itself. Dr. Oliveira’s career
development plan combines the knowledge and technical expertise from her graduate and post-graduate training
with novel methodologies and research subjects to build up a unique trajectory toward becoming a fully
independent investigator. Specifically, Dr. Oliveira proposes advancing her leadership skills, strengthening her
inter-institutional network, providing and organizing lectures inside and outside of her institution, and further
engaging in mentoring and student evaluation. To achieve these goals, Dr. Oliveira built a team with
distinguished Professors from the areas of expertise needed for both the scientific and professional success of
her career development plan. In terms of the environment, Dr. Oliveira is located in an acclaimed research
institution dedicated to discovering a...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10282954
- **Project number:** 1K01HL159037-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Suellen D'Arc dos Santos Oliveira
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $157,412
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-08-27 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10282954

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10282954, Generation of Endothelial Cell Memory in Inflammatory Vascular Disease (1K01HL159037-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10282954. Licensed CC0.

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