How genes and sex differences affect heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)
Gene-by-sex interactions in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)
This project looks at how a person's sex and their genes together influence why some people—especially women—develop HFpEF.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11168932 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team combines genetic data, molecular measurements, and clinical traits to find mechanisms behind HFpEF from a patient-centered view. They use a large mouse resource and a mouse model that mimics human HFpEF (high-fat diet plus a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) to study how genetic differences interact with sex. By integrating those animal findings with human clinical patterns, they aim to pinpoint pathways that explain why women get HFpEF more often and with worse diastolic dysfunction. The goal is to reveal targets that could eventually lead to better, possibly sex-specific, prevention or treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HFpEF—especially women and those with related conditions like obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure—would be the most relevant group to follow this work or participate in related clinical studies.
Not a fit: People with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) or those without heart failure are unlikely to directly benefit from findings focused specifically on HFpEF.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify biological targets and pathways that lead to new, sex-informed treatments or prevention strategies for HFpEF.
How similar studies have performed: Related animal and genetic studies have pointed to pathways involved in heart disease, but combining systems genetics with a focus on sex-specific effects in HFpEF is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lusis, Aldons Jake — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Lusis, Aldons Jake
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.