# The perivascular adipocyte: integrating mechanical and structural cues into vasoactive function

> **NIH NIH P01** · MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $374,286

## Abstract

Project Summary – Project IV
 As hypertension develops, the forces exerted by blood pressure are applied to the vessels' structures
inducing pathological changes in the cellular components of the vasculature. These changes are well described
in cell populations of the vascular tunicas intima, media, and adventitia. However, there is a gap in our knowledge
of hypertension's impact on adipocytes and their progenitors in the fourth vessel layer, the tunica adiposa or
perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT). Adipocytes are the core cells of PVAT and are a crucial source of vasoactive
components that support blood pressure control. The central hypothesis of Project IV is that vascular mechanical
forces during hypertension limit the adipogenic capacity of adipocyte progenitors (AP) and enhance their fibrotic
responses, leading to PVAT dysfunction.
 Project IV will investigate the effects of vascular mechanical forces on PVAT function. In Specific Aim 1, we
will determine how these forces interact with the stiffness of the PVAT extracellular matrix to affect the adipogenic
potential of perivascular AP and govern their phenotype fate. In Specific Aim 2, we will determine how the
adipogenic potential of perivascular AP cells is impacted by hypertension leading to an increase in their fibrotic
fate and a reduction in PVAT adipocyte populations. This project (IV) will provide unique mechanistic information
on PVAT's AP and adipocyte biology to support the development of 1) Project I, as these cells modify PVAT
stiffness and how the tunica adiposa adapts to vascular mechanical forces; and 2) Projects II and III, as
adipogenesis, lipogenesis, and fibrosis in PVAT respond to and modulate neurohumoral factors and immune
cells. We expect that elucidating the role of PVAT adipocyte progenitors and adipocytes as integrators of vascular
health will redefine the role of these cells in the pathogenesis and control of hypertension.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10747974
- **Project number:** 5P01HL152951-03
- **Recipient organization:** MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Genaro Andres Contreras
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $374,286
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-12-22 → 2026-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10747974

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10747974, The perivascular adipocyte: integrating mechanical and structural cues into vasoactive function (5P01HL152951-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-29 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10747974. Licensed CC0.

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