# Role of SHE and ABL signaling in vascular tubulogenesis

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA · 2024 · $79,019

## Abstract

Summary
 Formation of vascular lumen of appropriate size, or tubulogenesis, is one of critical steps during
vascular development. Many vascular diseases including venous malformations (VM) are associated with
malformed or enlarged lumens. However, we still have a limited understanding of molecular events that
regulate vascular lumen size.
 Parent R01 award titled “Role of SHE and ABL signaling in vascular tubulogenesis” explores the roles of
SH2 domain protein E (SHE) and Abelson kinase (ABL) signaling during vascular tube formation in the zebrafish
model and human cell culture. It also tests the role of these pathways in VM cell culture model, and in
xenografting VM cells into a mouse. However, there is no live animal model for VM that has been previously
generated, which prevented us from testing the tole of SHE and ABL signaling in live animals. The proposed
diversity extension focuses on two proposed aims: 1) Develop zebrafish model for human venous malformation
(VM); 2) Test the role of SHE and ABL signaling in the zebrafish VM model. The proposed research for the
diversity candidate is a logical extension of the parent R01 award and will fill this gap. The research proposal will
include generation of transgenic zebrafish line, which expresses mutated Tie2 protein, previously identified in
human VMs. We will subsequently utilize the generated line to investigate the role of SHE protein and ABL
signaling in VM pathogenesis. The proposed experiments will establish live animal (zebrafish) model for human
venous malformations and will test the role of SHE and ABL signaling in this model. The proposed strategy will
help to understand the pathology of human VMs and contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies
for VMs.
 This award will also enable training of the candidate, which comes from an underrepresented
background. Training activities will include formal mentoring, an ethics in research course, participating in
research conferences, manuscript and grant application writing and others. The appointment will help to foster
diversity in science. Scientists and trainees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences bring different
perspectives, creativity, and individual enterprise to address complex scientific problems.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10993290
- **Project number:** 3R01HL163161-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** Saulius Sumanas
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $79,019
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2024-03-01 → 2026-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10993290

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10993290, Role of SHE and ABL signaling in vascular tubulogenesis (3R01HL163161-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10993290. Licensed CC0.

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