# The Role of Platelet-Derived Transforming Growth Factor Beta in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI · 2024 · $48,960

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is the 15th leading cause of death in the United States with a ruptured
aneurysm resulting in an 80% likelihood of mortality. AAAs are typically diagnosed as an incidental finding and
managed via follow-up imaging modalities to track aneurysm size and growth rate. If the aneurysm reaches a
critical diameter of 5.5 cm in men or 5.0 cm in women, a surgical repair is recommended. Despite numerous
promising preclinical studies, all medical therapies have failed to attenuate the progression of established
AAAs in patients. This situation creates a serious gap in therapeutic aneurysm care as a significant number of
patients suffer a fatal rupture before surgical repair.
 Our failure to identify an effective therapeutic is likely due to our poor understanding of the molecular
mechanisms influencing AAA initiation and progression. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) is a
ubiquitously expressed cytokine initiating complex signaling pathways that influence cell proliferation,
differentiation, and inflammation. Researchers have shown that TGFβ1 is a crucial mediator of aortic
homeostasis. Antibody-mediated targeting of TGFβ1 has resulted in consistent worsening of AAA in multiple
rodent models while overexpression of TGFβ1 attenuated aneurysm progression. These studies provide strong
evidence for TGFβ1 playing a protective role, however the source and mechanism of protective TGFβ1
remains unknown. We need to understand how this key signaling pathway is affecting this disease to develop
a clearer picture of AAA progression.
 The primary goal of this proposal is to evaluate platelets as a source of protective TGFβ1 and aortic
adventitial fibroblasts as the mediating cell type. Thus, we hypothesize that platelet-derived TGFβ1 mitigates
pathologic aortic expansion by binding to adventitial fibroblasts, stimulating extracellular matrix formation, and
reinforcing the aortic wall. Our two specific aims will (1) evaluate platelet-specific depletion of TGFβ1 in
multiple models of murine AAA and (2) assess adventitial fibroblasts as the mediator of protective TGFβ1
signaling. Successful completion of this F31 proposal will increase our understanding of the mechanisms by
which TGFβ signaling protects AAA initiation and progression and may generate new avenues of research
directed towards therapies for AAA patients. The experience gained from completing this proposal under the
mentorship of Dr. Owens and my thesis committee at the University of Cincinnati will facilitate my growth into
an independent investigator.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10995575
- **Project number:** 1F31HL175976-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
- **Principal Investigator:** Anthony Spuzzillo
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $48,960
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10995575

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10995575, The Role of Platelet-Derived Transforming Growth Factor Beta in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (1F31HL175976-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10995575. Licensed CC0.

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