# Cardiovascular consequences of increased inflammasome activation in Jak2vf-mediated clonal hematopoiesis

> **NIH NIH F32** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2020 · $65,821

## Abstract

Project Summary
Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) arises from somatic mutations that impart a growth advantage in hematopoietic stem cells. While
increasing the risk of hematological malignancy, unexpectedly CH also increases the risk of myocardial infarction and
stroke. CH increases in frequency from age 40 onward and is present in  >10% of people above the age of 70 identifying CH
as a major non-traditional risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Amongst the four common genetic
variants associated with CH, the JAK2v617f (JAK2vf) mutation that increases JAK/STAT signaling imparts a 12-fold increased
hazard ratio for coronary heart disease. These recent observations emphasize the absolute imperative to develop a precision
medicine strategy to treat CVD in these patients. We have reported that mice harboring Jak2vf mutations in bone marrow
cells exhibit increased atherosclerosis and inflammasome activation. Preliminary studies in mice have further revealed that
within atherosclerotic lesions Jak2vf macrophages (Mφ) have increased IL-1 mediated proliferation. To model CH we
utilized a mixed bone marrow transplantation model where 20% of bone marrow cells harbor Jak2vf mutations, and the
remaining 80% are wild-type. In these Jak2vf-CH mice Jak2vf was present in ~25% of CD45+ blood cells, however in lesions
Jak2vf comprised 50% of CD45+ cells, thus representing a clonal expansion within plaques. Through the aims proposed here,
we will test the hypothesis that in a Jak2vf model of CH, increased inflammasome activation results in increased IL-1β
secretion that potentiates Mφ? proliferation, pyroptosis, and atherogenesis. Aim 1 will test the hypothesis that in a
hypercholesteremia-driven model of Jak2vf-CH, administration of IL-1β antibodies will result in decreased Jak2vf Mφ?
proliferation, less Mφ? accumulation, and smaller lesions. Furthermore, we have previously reported Jak2vf mice have
increased necrotic core formation, and recently we have discovered that deletion of Caspase1/11 normalizes necrotic core
area in Jak2vf mice, suggesting increased pyroptosis mediated by downstream activation of GASDERMIN D. Therefore,
Specific Aim 2 will examine the contribution of pyroptosis to necrotic core formation by breeding Gsdmd-/- mice with
Jak2vf mice and examine Jak2vf-dependent signaling mechanism which may culminate in increased pyroptosis. Successful
completion of the proposed studies will enhance our understanding of the mechanisms driving increased atherosclerosis in
Jak2vf-mediated CH. Studies utilizing antibodies to IL-1β? may provide a foundation to consider using these therapies in
humans.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9910765
- **Project number:** 1F32HL151051-01
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Trevor Perawaskin Laramee Fidler
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $65,821
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-03-01 → 2021-02-02

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9910765

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9910765, Cardiovascular consequences of increased inflammasome activation in Jak2vf-mediated clonal hematopoiesis (1F32HL151051-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9910765. Licensed CC0.

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