Molecular Foundations of Lipoprotein Response to Exercise
Description: Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) are the leading cause of death in United States. National and international organizations identify lipoproteins as key therapeutic targets for cardiovascular risk reduction. Lipoprotein levels are modifiable through behavioral changes such as diet and regular exercise. Thus, lifestyle interventions are considered primary interventions for the improvement of lipoprotein profiles and associated CVD risk. Regular exercise beneficially alters HDL cholesterol levels, plasma triglycerides, and HDL and LDL particle subclass distribution. Although exercise confers numerous benefits on the lipoprotein profile, recent studies have demonstrated significant heterogeneity in cardiometabolic responsiveness to exercise. Thus, to improve both public health guidelines and clinical exercise prescription, we need to understand the biological factors involved in individual exercise response and identify predictive biomarkers of responsiveness. Circulating proteins and metabolites are powerful biomarkers and effectors of cardiometabolic diseases and thus represent a promising resource for physiological biomarker discovery. Furthermore, lifestyle interventions such as regular exercise result in significant alterations to the circulating molecular profile. Therefore, it is likely that circulating analytes are involved in the molecular mechanisms underlying lipoprotein responsiveness to exercise and may have utility as biomarkers of exercise response. The goal of the proposed study is to examine the molecular basis of the benefits of regular exercise on lipoprotein traits and identify molecular signatures of exercise responsiveness. I will utilize predictive modeling, machine learning, and network-based analyses to integrate proteomic, metabolomic, and genomic data from 731 black and white adults of the HERITAGE family study. This study represents a thorough and unique investigation into the molecular basis of lipoprotein response to exercise and the insights gained may identify potential targets for future therapeutic approaches. The associated training in bioinformatic techniques and integrative exercise omics analyses will allow me to collaborate across a wide range of research areas, increase my likelihood of securing a post-doctoral position, and prepare me for a productive career as an independent researcher.
Funder: American Heart Association
Amount: $63,040
Funding type: training
Funder scheme: Predoctoral Fellowship
Start date: 2021-04-01
End date: 2022-05-07
Investigators: Jacob Barber, Jacob Barber
Institution: University of South Carolina
Funded outputs count: 0
Funder award ID: 833917
OpenAlex ID: G792066565