# Proteomic and epigenetic alterations associated with plant-based diets and CVD

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2024 · $163,129

## Abstract

Project Summary / Abstract
 Healthy diets reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Plant-based diets, which are comprised
predominantly of plant foods and are low in animal products, are healthy dietary patterns that are associated
with a lower risk of CVD. However, the precise mechanisms underlying plant-based diet-CVD associations are
poorly understood. The present proposal aims to elucidate the mechanisms through which plant-based diets
are associated with CVD using proteomics and epigenetics.
 Specific aims of the present proposal are to: 1) identify protein signatures of 4 plant-based diet indices
[overall plant-based diet index (PDI), provegetarian diet, healthy plant-based diet index (hPDI), and unhealthy
plant-based diet index (uPDI)], 2) evaluate the prospective associations between plant-based diet-related
proteins and incident CVD, and 3) explore DNA methylation signatures of 4 plant-based diet indices. The
proposed study will use the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, a richly phenotyped
community-based prospective study of middle-aged African American and European American with usual
dietary intake, proteomics and DNA methylation data, and adjudicated CVD outcomes as the discovery data
set. Framingham Heart Study and Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, well-characterized prospective
cohorts with similar data, will be used for external validation. Completion of the aims will identify novel proteins,
epigenetic markers, and pathways that are modifiable by plant-based diets. Such novel evidence will be the
first step for developing biomarkers for early detection and identifying therapeutic targets of CVD.
 Hyunju Kim, PhD seeks a K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award to acquire essential
skills, knowledge, and mentored research experience to prepare for a future career as an independent
investigator with expertise in nutrition, multi-omics, and CVD. Dr. Kim has a track record of research
productivity in the areas of nutritional epidemiology and nutritional metabolomics. However, Dr. Kim needs
additional training in proteomics, epigenetics, and cardiovascular biology to achieve research independence.
This research proposal details a five-year plan consisting of didactic coursework, hands-on research training,
career enrichment programs under the primary mentorship of Dr. Casey Rebholz, PhD (expert in nutritional
proteomics), and co-mentorship by Dr. Josef Coresh, MD, PhD (expert in proteomics and vascular disease),
and Dr. Dan Arking, PhD (expert in epigenetics). The exceptional mentoring team in addition to external
collaborators and advisors with multi-disciplinary expertise, and a highly collaborative environment at Johns
Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health will ensure the successful transition of Dr. Kim into an independent
investigator.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10811737
- **Project number:** 5K01HL168232-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Hyunju Kim
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $163,129
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-02 → 2028-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10811737

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10811737, Proteomic and epigenetic alterations associated with plant-based diets and CVD (5K01HL168232-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10811737. Licensed CC0.

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