How fat tissue signals may contribute to heart disease
Post-transcriptional control of adipose tissue gene expression as an endocrine mediator of cardiac pathology
Researchers are studying whether changes inside fat cells affect heart health in people with obesity or metabolic conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11122363 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how molecules made inside fat cells control signals that affect the heart. The team is focusing on an RNA-binding protein called HuR and will study its role using mouse models and human fat tissue samples. They compare different fat types (brown versus white) and measure heart structure and function to link fat-derived signals with cardiac enlargement and scarring. The work aims to connect specific gene-control steps in fat with downstream heart damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with obesity, metabolic syndrome, or type 2 diabetes (and possibly related heart problems) who can provide clinical data or adipose tissue samples would be most relevant for participation.
Not a fit: People without metabolic disease or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this primarily lab-based research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets in fat tissue to prevent or treat heart damage tied to obesity and diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and human tissue studies have linked adipose signals to heart disease, but targeting post-transcriptional regulators like HuR is a relatively new approach that remains mostly preclinical.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tranter, Michael — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Tranter, Michael
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.