15-PGDH–Related Breakthrough for Heart Fibrosis and Diastolic Heart Failure
Official title: 15-PGDH-Mediated Eicosanoid Degradation in Cardiac Fibrosis and Heart Failure
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11334407 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A heart-disease study tests whether blocking a specific enzyme can reduce scar tissue in the heart and improve heart function in adults with conditions like hypertension and metabolic disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 10, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $533,406 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL171711-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11334407 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with heart conditions associated with cardiac fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction, especially those with hypertension or metabolic disease.
✕Less likely to help
People without heart fibrosis or diastolic dysfunction may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project focuses on heart fibrosis, where scar tissue makes the heart stiffer and can lead to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Researchers have shown that inhibiting the enzyme 15-PGDH may prevent heart cells from becoming overly fibrotic, potentially easing diastolic dysfunction. The study uses observations from human heart cells and animal models to understand how blocking this enzyme affects fibrosis and heart stiffness. If successful, this approach could guide new therapies to prevent or reverse harmful heart remodeling in patients. The work will explore how stress signals influence enzyme activity and fibrotic pathways in cardiac fibroblasts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach works, patients with HFpEF or related fibrotic heart conditions could have new options to prevent or reduce heart stiffness and improve heart function.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data in mice and human cells suggest that 15-PGDH inhibition may reduce fibrotic activation and improve heart function.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mckinsey, Timothy — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Mckinsey, Timothy
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Epigenetic clues to stop heart scarring and failure
A patient-focused look at how turning off specific epigenetic signals may reduce heart scarring and improve heart function in people with heart failure.
-
FAM3D's role in reducing heart scarring in heart failure
This project looks at whether the protein FAM3D can reduce inflammation and scarring in adults with heart failure.
-
Investigating how a specific enzyme affects heart tissue scarring and heart failure.
This study is looking at how a specific enzyme affects heart scarring and stiffness, and it aims to find ways to stop this process to help people with heart failure feel better and improve their heart function.
-
How a specific cytokine affects heart failure and cardiac fibrosis
This study is looking at a substance called FAM3D to see how it affects heart failure, especially in reducing heart damage and inflammation, and it aims to find new ways to help people with heart problems feel better.
-
Investigating how AEBP1 contributes to heart tissue scarring after injury
This study is looking at a protein called AEBP1 to see how it affects heart healing after injury, with the hope of finding new treatments to help people recover better from heart problems.
-
AI-supported heart failure diagnosis and management in Rwanda
Aiming to help people with suspected heart failure in Rwanda get faster, more accurate diagnoses and better care using AI-guided ultrasound and care protocols.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.