Apelin and ACE2: protecting the right side of the heart in pulmonary hypertension
The emerging role of apelin, RAAS, and ACE2 crosstalk in pulmonary hypertension
This project tests whether a natural heart protein called apelin can help protect the right side of the heart in people with pulmonary hypertension by boosting ACE2 and calming the RAAS system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11142408 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use animal models and heart cells grown from patient samples to study how apelin affects the right ventricle during pulmonary hypertension. They will treat these models with apelin and measure heart function, cell health, and molecular signals such as ACE2 and RAAS-related proteins. The team will compare tissues and cells from people with pulmonary hypertension to controls to determine whether apelin's protective effects are reduced in disease and can be restored. Findings will clarify whether boosting apelin–ACE2 signaling can prevent the right-ventricular remodeling that leads to heart failure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pulmonary hypertension, especially those showing signs of right ventricular dysfunction or failure, would be the most likely candidates for related clinical trials.
Not a fit: People without pulmonary hypertension or whose heart problems are due to left-sided heart disease rather than right ventricular failure are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that protect the right side of the heart and reduce heart failure and death in people with pulmonary hypertension.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies and experiments using patient-derived heart cells suggest apelin can increase ACE2 and protect right-heart tissues, but clinical trials in people with pulmonary hypertension are currently limited.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Frump, Andrea Lee — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Frump, Andrea Lee
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 below.