# Mouse model of post-infection atherosclerosis

> **NIH NIH R03** · UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI · 2022 · $81,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the number one cause of mortality worldwide, leading to
approximately 18 million deaths each year. Besides traditional risk factors, emerging data implicate certain
prevalent infections as important contributors of ASCVD risk. We have shown that a globally-prevalent
infection such as tuberculosis (TB) carries a 2-fold increased risk of developing ASCVD. Furthermore, TB
survivors have a 3-fold increased risk of long-term all-cause mortality compared to the general population, with
most deaths attributable to ASCVD. A considerable gap in knowledge is that the mechanisms driving the
increased ASCVD risk after recovery from TB and similar chronic infections are unknown. Studies aimed to fill
this gap are expected to result in a positive impact in our ability to design interventions to mitigate ASCVD risk
after recovery from TB and other chronic infections. We will leverage proof-of-concept mouse experiments
conducted by our group which showed that mycobacterial infection enhances inflammation and atherosclerosis
development to further establish and characterize a mouse model of post-infection atherosclerosis. Thus, in
Aim 1 we will establish the progression of atherosclerosis in mice after mycobacterial-infection clearance with
standard antibiotics. In Aim 2, we will profile the activation and function of monocytes post-infection and their
contribution to atherosclerosis, as monocytes are key players in atherosclerosis development and our
preliminary data indicate that they remain primed after infection clearance. Successful accomplishment of the
proposed research will allow the development of an essential mouse model providing a foundation to study
mechanisms of post-infection atherosclerosis. We will use the proposed model and findings to support an R01
application aimed at deciphering post-infection progression of atherosclerosis and underlying immune
mechanisms. Our results will have a broad translational science impact by providing a model to investigate
mechanisms of ASCVD risk and other inflammation-driven diseases among survivors of post-treated chronic
infections.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10432265
- **Project number:** 1R03TR004097-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
- **Principal Investigator:** Moises Arturo Huaman Joo
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $81,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-04-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10432265

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10432265, Mouse model of post-infection atherosclerosis (1R03TR004097-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10432265. Licensed CC0.

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