How calcium signals between two ryanodine receptors cause heart enlargement and heart failure
Crosstalk Ca2+ Signaling between Ryanodine Receptors Type 1 and 2 in the Pathogenesis of Cardiac Hypertrophy and Heart Failure
This work looks at whether abnormal calcium flow between two ryanodine proteins in heart cells causes heart enlargement and worsening heart failure, which could help people with cardiac hypertrophy or heart failure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323938 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how two calcium-release proteins (ryanodine receptors RyR1 and RyR2) in heart cells interact and affect the heart's energy makers, the mitochondria. They use genetically modified mice, isolated mitochondria, and human heart tissue samples to measure mitochondrial calcium, reactive oxygen species, and cellular changes that lead to hypertrophy. Prior data show RyR1 is increased in enlarged human and mouse hearts and may make RyR2 leak calcium, so the team will test whether that leak drives energy problems and heart enlargement. Learning these steps could point to ways to stop harmful calcium leaks and protect heart function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cardiac hypertrophy or heart failure—particularly those undergoing heart surgery, biopsy, or able to donate tissue samples—would be most relevant for participation or sample donation.
Not a fit: People without heart disease or whose symptoms stem from non-cardiac causes are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets to stop calcium leaks and preserve heart energy, potentially preventing or slowing heart enlargement and heart failure.
How similar studies have performed: Other laboratory studies have identified mitochondrial RyR1 in heart tissue and linked calcium leaks to energy dysfunction, but translating these findings into treatments is still early and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Thomas Jefferson University — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sheu, Shey-Shing — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Sheu, Shey-Shing
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.