How a virus affects heart cell connections during myocarditis
Official title: Viral subversion of intercellular coupling during myocarditis
Funded at Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ · NIH-10892641 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how a common virus affects heart muscle cells and disrupts their connections, which is important for keeping your heart working well, with the goal of finding better ways to treat viral myocarditis, a condition that can lead to heart problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $527,635 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL159512-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10892641 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing myocarditis or related cardiac issues, particularly those with a history of adenovirus infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with myocarditis caused by non-viral factors or those who do not have a history of adenovirus infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of human adenovirus type 5 on heart muscle cells, specifically looking at how the virus disrupts the connections between these cells, which are crucial for proper heart function. By studying the molecular interactions and changes in heart cell behavior during viral infection, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms that lead to arrhythmias and heart failure. The findings could provide insights into new therapeutic strategies for treating viral myocarditis, a condition that currently lacks effective treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for viral myocarditis, potentially improving outcomes for patients with this condition.
How similar studies have gone: While research on viral myocarditis is ongoing, this specific investigation into the molecular effects of adenovirus on heart cell connections is relatively novel and has not been extensively studied.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smyth, James William — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Smyth, James William
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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.