Impact of T Cells on Age-related Vascular Dysfunction: A Translational Approach

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Trial end date: 2024-06-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and other industrialized societies, and advanced age is the major risk factor for development of CVD. Advancing age appears to exert its pathological influence primarily via adverse functional and structural effects on arteries. Aging is associated with increased stiffness (reduced compliance) of large elastic arteries and impaired arterial endothelial function that is characterized by reductions in nitric oxide (NO)- mediated endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD). While several changes to arteries may contribute to age-associated increases in CVD risk; the development of endothelial dysfunction and stiffening of the large elastic arteries are among the most important contributors. Both are predictors of CV events and clinical CVD with increasing age. Although the importance of endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffening with age are well established, the initiating events of these deleterious changes are elusive.

• Phase: Early Phase 1
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: University of Utah
• Collaborator: National Institute on Aging (NIA)
• Treatments: Abatacept

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Older adults (55-75 years old).

• Women will be at least two years postmenopausal, not using hormone therapy and have a follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration of >30 IU/L.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Autoimmune disorders,

• Hypertension (blood pressure >140/90mmHg),

• Body mass index of >30 kg/m2,

• Clinical CVD,

• Diabetes

• Current tobacco use,

• Regular aerobic exercise (>30 mins per day, > 2 days per week for the at least the last 2 years),

• Current or recurring infections within 12 weeks of the baseline visit,

• A positive tuberculosis (TB) test or subjects at risk of TB,

• Positive test for Hepatitis B, C, or cytomegalovirus (CMV),

• Use of immunosuppressive medication,

• Vaccination within 4 weeks of the baseline visit,

• Major surgery within 8 weeks of the baseline visit,

• Previous lymphoid irradiation or bone marrow transplant,

• Subjects at risk for diverticulitis,

• Any laboratory test result that, in the opinion of the overseeing physician (Dr. Frech) might place a participant at unacceptable risk.