FHL1's role in body fat and metabolism
Adipose FHL1 in energy homeostasis
Researchers are looking at whether changes in the FHL1 gene affect how fat forms and how the body uses energy, which could matter for people with extreme fat loss or obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176144 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
I want to know if FHL1 controls how fat cells form and how my body manages energy, insulin, and blood sugar. The team uses cell and mouse models, including mice missing Fhl1 that resist weight gain on a high-fat diet, to see what happens when the gene is changed. They link their work to a 15-year-old patient who had almost no body fat after losing the FHL1 gene to understand human relevance. The goal is to clarify FHL1's role in adipose tissue development and whole-body metabolism.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with rare genetic fat-loss conditions, unexplained near-total loss of body fat, or known FHL1 mutations (or those willing to donate tissue samples) would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatments for common weight issues are unlikely to receive direct benefits from this preclinical genetic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new biological targets to treat rare fat-loss disorders or metabolic diseases like obesity and diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Related animal studies, including work on the FHL1 paralog FHL2 and preliminary Fhl1 knockout mice, have shown resistance to diet-induced obesity, but translating these findings to human therapies remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anokye-Danso, Frederick — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Anokye-Danso, Frederick
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.