# BLRD Research Career Scientist Award Renewal

> **NIH VA IK6** · BIRMINGHAM VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2022 · —

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
My major research focus is to understand the fundamental mechanisms of gene regulation and function in the
development of cardiovascular disease, a major health burden for our veterans. Our overarching goals are to
translate the findings into identification of novel molecular targets and strategies for prevention and intervention
of cardiovascular disease. We have been studying the molecular regulation of vascular smooth muscle cells
(VSMC) phenotypic transitions, which should provide new insights into the understanding of the development of
atherosclerosis, diabetic vasculopathy and vascular aging. Using novel tissue-specific gene knockout mouse
models, we have uncovered an essential role of the osteogenic transcription factor Runx2 in regulating VSMC
reprogramming into bone-like cells, leading to the pathogenesis of vascular calcification and stiffness in animal
models of atherosclerosis and diabetes. We have also uncovered novel mechanisms underlying Runx2
upregulation in the vasculature by increased oxidative stress and hyperglycemia; and discovered a Runx2-
dependent crosstalk between VSMC, macrophages and vascular stem cells in the development of
atherosclerotic calcification. With these innovative research programs, I have been able to provide training and
mentoring to many graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and junior scientists and physicians at the
Birmingham VAMC and affiliated University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Our efforts to investigate the
underlying mechanisms and identify targets for cardiovascular disease have brought together increasing
numbers of physician scientists and basic scientists at the Birmingham VA medical center and UAB, which led
to the development of a VA-funded Program Project Award and three of my Merit Review Awards, including the
exciting and highly VA-related research “Molecular Regulation of Vascular Calcification in Diabetes” (2019-
2023). In addition, our collaborative research projects on the regulation of VSMC function in atherosclerosis,
diabetes and vascular aging have also been supported by several R01 grants from the National Institutes of
Health. These ongoing investigations will not only elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the
pathogenesis of vascular disease and aging, but also provide novel molecular insights facilitating further studies
to translate these findings into therapeutic strategies for patient care, so as to improve the veterans’ health, life
span and quality of life, as well as reduce healthcare costs.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10346455
- **Project number:** 1IK6BX005800-01
- **Recipient organization:** BIRMINGHAM VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Yabing Chen
- **Activity code:** IK6 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-10-01 → 2028-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10346455

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10346455, BLRD Research Career Scientist Award Renewal (1IK6BX005800-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10346455. Licensed CC0.

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