Cadherin-11's role in aortic valve calcification
Official title: Cadherin-11 in calcific aortic valve disease
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-11239089 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether blocking a protein called cadherin-11 can stop or even reverse calcium buildup in the aortic valve of older adults with aortic stenosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 15, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $595,491 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL170546-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11239089 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People, typically age 65 and older, with degenerative or calcific aortic valve disease (aortic stenosis) would be the likely candidates for related clinical efforts.
✕Less likely to help
People without aortic valve disease, those with non-calcific valve problems, or patients whose valves are already irreversibly damaged and scheduled for replacement are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how cadherin-11 (CDH11) makes normally calm valve cells turn into bone-like, calcifying cells using lab experiments on valve cells and animal models. They will test whether therapies that block CDH11 can halt or reverse valve calcification after it has started. The team will also measure CDH11 levels in blood from people with aortic stenosis to see if a blood test can help time treatment. Together these steps aim to move a potential drug target and a matching biomarker closer to use in patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to a drug approach that slows or reverses calcific aortic valve disease and a blood test to help decide when to treat.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical and laboratory studies over the past decade support CDH11 as a promising target, but clinical benefit in patients has not yet been established.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Merryman, William D — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Merryman, William D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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GATA4's role in why some hearts are born with two valve cusps
A study in mice and human genetics will look at how a specific GATA4 gene change leads to bicuspid aortic valve and related heart problems.
-
AI-guided prediction of aortic valve disease progression using CT scans
A patient-friendly AI tool analyzes CT angiography data to predict how quickly aortic valve disease may advance and the risk of complications after valve replacement.
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Small molecule therapy for calcific aortic valve disease
A new drug candidate is being studied to slow or stop calcification of the aortic valve in adults with valve disease.
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Understanding and treating congenital aortic valve problems
This project develops medicines targeting the genetic and molecular causes of malformed aortic valves to help people born with bicuspid or other congenital valve problems avoid or delay surgery.
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Understanding why some people with calcific aortic valve disease develop atherogenic vs non-atherogenic patterns
This NIH-funded project explores why some people with aortic valve disease have accompanying atherosclerosis while others do not, using human genetics, proteomics, and imaging data to uncover differences that could lead to better treatments.
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Lab-grown models of how aging and sex affect aortic valve narrowing
Researchers will build lab-grown heart valve models that mimic aging and male/female differences to learn why older adults develop aortic valve narrowing.
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.