DNA damage and treatments for LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy
Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targeting of DNA Damage in Dilated Cardiomyopathy Caused by LMNA Mutations
This project looks at how DNA damage causes heart weakening in people with LMNA gene mutations and tests whether blocking DNA-sensing pathways can protect the heart.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174304 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join or donate samples, researchers will compare heart tissue from people with LMNA mutations and from mouse models to find where DNA breaks occur and how heart cells respond. They use genome-wide methods such as END-Seq and ATAC-seq to map double-strand DNA breaks and chromatin changes at high resolution. In mice, the team removes or blocks the cGAS–STING DNA-sensing pathway to see if reducing that signaling lowers inflammation, cell death, and fibrosis. They measure heart function, survival, and tissue scarring to determine if these steps could lead to targeted therapies for LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with dilated cardiomyopathy caused by LMNA gene mutations who can provide medical records or tissue samples and who can travel to or coordinate with the research team in Houston.
Not a fit: People whose heart disease has other causes or who do not have LMNA mutations are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that slow or prevent heart failure in people with LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies by this team showed that deleting cGAS improved survival and heart function in mouse models, but translating this approach to people remains novel.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marian, Ali J — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Marian, Ali J
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.