How KDM5A and KDM5B gene regulators affect heart failure

Roles of Histone lysine demethylases KDM5A and KDM5B in the pathogenesis of Heart failure

NIH-funded research University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11138623

This project looks at whether changing the activity of two gene regulators, KDM5A and KDM5B, can protect adult hearts from heart failure.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Houston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11138623 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would learn that researchers are comparing heart tissue from people with heart failure and experiments in mice to see how two gene regulators, KDM5A and KDM5B, change which genes are turned on or off in heart cells. They will measure chromatin accessibility and protein binding with tests like ATAC-seq and CUT&RUN, and alter Kdm5 genes in mouse models of inherited (LMNA) and pressure-overload heart disease to observe effects. The team will track heart function, survival, and cell features such as mitochondria and sarcomeres to see if reducing KDM5 activity improves outcomes. Results from human samples together with improved mouse outcomes will help decide if drugs that target these enzymes could be a future treatment for heart failure.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults with heart failure, particularly those with inherited LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy or progressive non-ischemic cardiomyopathies.

Not a fit: People without heart disease or those whose heart failure is driven solely by causes unrelated to KDM5 pathways (for example isolated ischemic injury) may not see direct benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that slow or reverse heart failure by targeting KDM5A and KDM5B.

How similar studies have performed: Related epigenetic approaches have shown benefit in animal models, but directly targeting KDM5A/B in heart failure is largely novel and early-stage.

Where this research is happening

Houston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.