Calcium signaling and TRPM7 in heart scarring (cardiac fibrosis)
Official title: Calcium Signaling Mechanisms in Cardiac Fibrogenesis
Funded at University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt · NIH-11375970 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A heart-disease project explores how calcium signaling in heart fibroblasts drives fibrosis and tests if blocking TRPM7 could prevent scarring.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Farmington, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $650,922 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL171486-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11375970 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with various forms of heart disease where fibrosis contributes to illness or progression, or those at risk for fibrosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cardiac fibrosis or those not participating in related clinical studies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This NIH grant focuses on how calcium channels in heart fibroblasts regulate fibrosis, a common problem in many heart diseases. Researchers have found that TRPM7, a calcium-permeable channel with kinase activity, is linked to the fibrotic process in heart tissue. By studying TRPM7 in fibroblasts, the team aims to understand whether inhibiting this molecule can reduce scarring and protect heart function. The work combines cellular experiments and disease-relevant models to identify potential therapeutic targets for fibrotic heart disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies that reduce heart scarring and improve outcomes for patients with heart disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous findings suggest that targeting TRPM7 in fibroblasts can influence fibrogenesis, supporting a potentially translatable approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
Farmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yue, Lixia — University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
- Study coordinator: Yue, Lixia
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.