Genetic and hypoxic control of a lncRNA axis in pulmonary hypertension
Official title: Genetic and hypoxic control of a lncRNA axis orchestrates endothelial reprogramming in pulmonary hypertension
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11354017 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how a long noncoding RNA and a nearby gene interact under low oxygen to drive pulmonary hypertension, with potential to guide new therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $677,648 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL151228-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11354017 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with pulmonary hypertension or those carrying the rs73184087 variant who could participate in future studies or trials.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without PH or without involvement in the studied genetic pathway may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how a specific lncRNA (KMT2E-AS1) and the nearby gene KMT2E respond to low oxygen in lung blood vessels, and how this affects disease pathways in pulmonary hypertension. Researchers will use patient-derived cells and genome-edited cells to see how a common genetic variant influences these molecular changes under hypoxic conditions. The goal is to map the molecular steps that lead to dangerous vascular remodeling in PH and identify targets to interrupt this process. Findings could enable new therapeutic approaches that protect people with PH from progression. The work combines genetic, cellular, and epigenetic analyses to connect a human genetic risk with disease mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new molecular targets for treating pulmonary hypertension and slowing disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked lncRNAs and histone markers to PH, but this project tests a specific allele-driven mechanism.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chan, Stephen Y — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Chan, Stephen Y
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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.