How a heart protein (HIPK2) affects scarring and function after a heart attack
Official title: Novel Mechanisms of Cardiac Function and Dysfunction
Funded at Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport · NIH-11386239 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The team is looking at how a protein called HIPK2 influences heart scarring and weakening after a heart attack in adults with heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Shreveport, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2019 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $547,513 |
| NIH project number | 7R01HL143074-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11386239 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who have had a myocardial infarction or who have ischemic heart disease and are interested in contributing to research or future trials would be the most relevant group.
✕Less likely to help
People without prior heart attacks or whose heart problems are unrelated to ischemic scarring are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this work.
What this research studies
They used computer analysis of gene activity to identify HIPK2 as a previously unrecognized player in the heart. The researchers then used several mouse models and viral gene-delivery tools (AAV9 and adenoviral methods) to change HIPK2 levels in heart muscle cells and in heart fibroblasts. They created mice with fibroblast-specific loss of HIPK2 and studied how that change affects scarring (fibrosis) and heart function after a heart attack. The work aims to reveal whether altering HIPK2 could change healing and remodeling of the injured heart and point to new treatment targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to reduce harmful scarring and improve heart function after a heart attack.
How similar studies have gone: Linking HIPK2 to heart biology is largely novel, though viral gene-delivery and kinase-targeting approaches have shown promise in other cardiac research.
Where this research is happening
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Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport
Shreveport, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lal, Hind — Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport
- Study coordinator: Lal, Hind
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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.