# Role of ARF6 in atherosclerotic burden and severity

> **NIH VA I01** · VA SALT LAKE CITY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2020 · —

## Abstract

Approximately 92 million US adults have at least one form of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with the annual
direct health care cost of CVD and stroke estimated to exceed $315 billion. Among US Veteran’s, CVD is the
leading cause of hospitalizations and a major cause of disability and according to the VA Health Services
Research and Development, ~80% of Veteran’s present with more than two CVD risk factors. Atherosclerotic
diseases are a predominate form of CVD. The severity and associated morbidity/mortality of which is
determined not only by overall plaque burden, but also by the stability, or vulnerability, of plaques. Thus, a
better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and cell types involved in the growth and stability of
plaques is critical to inform novel therapies. ADP ribosylation factor 6 (Arf6) is a member of the RAS family of
small GTPases that regulates cell proliferation and motility as well as membrane trafficking. Arf6 is involved in
inflammatory and arterial functions related to atherosclerosis, including immune cell adhesion/activation,
endothelial cell permeability and angiogenesis. However, a role for Arf6 in atherosclerosis has not been
described. We aim to elucidate the effects of modulating whole body and tissue-specific Arf6 on plaque
burden, composition and stability, as well as explore pharmacological Arf6 inhibition as an anti-atherosclerotic
therapy.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9784013
- **Project number:** 1I01BX004492-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** VA SALT LAKE CITY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Lisa A Lesniewski
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2019-10-01 → 2023-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9784013

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9784013, Role of ARF6 in atherosclerotic burden and severity (1I01BX004492-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9784013. Licensed CC0.

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