Damrauer Lab
Principal Investigator: Scott Michael Damrauer
Institution: University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
Primary Subfield: Molecular & Cell Bio
Recruitment Status: ✅ Hiring Postdocs
Research Focus
ABSTRACT Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening condition in which aneurysm growth through progressive dilatation of the abdominal aorta leads to rupture. The only efficacious therapy to prevent or treat rupture is open or endovascular surgical repair. Non-surgical therapies are desperately needed to prevent aneurysm growth and protect from rupture, while averting the need for operative repair. Our recent findings from a comprehensive genome-wide association study (GWAS) suggest that triglyceride- rich lipoproteins (TRL) are a key mediator of AAA. TRL enter circulation from an endogenous pathway via the liver as very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and from an exogenous pathway via the intestine as chylomicrons. In plasma, TRL undergo rapid catabolism by lipases into remnant particles that are proposed to promote atherosclerosis. Because of this, numerous TRL-targeted therapies are in clinical development. Our published and preliminary data support the involvement of TRL in AAA pathobiology including: (1) human genetic experiments implicating non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (nonHDL-c) over low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) as the likely causal lipid…
Active NIH Awards
- 5R01HL181587-02: Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and abdominal aortic aneurysm growth and progression (2026)
- 5R01HL166991-04: Impact of PCSK9 inhibition on abdominal aortic aneurysm pathobiology and growth (2026)
- 1R01HL181587-01: Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and abdominal aortic aneurysm growth and progression (2025)
- 5R01HL166991-03: Impact of PCSK9 inhibition on abdominal aortic aneurysm pathobiology and growth (2025)
- 5R01HL166991-02: Impact of PCSK9 inhibition on abdominal aortic aneurysm pathobiology and growth (2024)
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