How the heart enzyme PDE1 controls calcium and heart pumping
Official title: Phosphodiesterase 1 (PDE1) Regulation of Myocardial Calcium and Function
Funded at Loyola University Chicago · NIH-11248407 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looking at whether blocking the heart enzyme PDE1 can safely improve heart muscle calcium handling and strengthen heartbeats in adults with weakened hearts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loyola University Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Maywood, United States) |
| Project start | January 22, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $558,175 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL171586-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11248407 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with heart failure or reduced heart pumping strength who might need stronger heart support are the most relevant group.
✕Less likely to help
People with normal heart function or those whose symptoms are not related to weakened heart pumping are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project compares two kinds of heart drugs that work by blocking phosphodiesterase enzymes (PDE1 versus PDE3) to see how they change calcium inside heart cells and how strongly the heart contracts. Researchers will run lab experiments using heart cells, tissue, and animal models to measure calcium signals, electrical activity, and the PKA signaling pathways that control contraction. They will look at both short-term and longer-term effects to understand why PDE3 blockers can increase dangerous arrhythmias while PDE1 blockers appear safer in early tests. The team hopes these findings will point the way toward medicines that boost heart strength without increasing heartbeat risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to safer medicines that strengthen weakened hearts without increasing dangerous arrhythmias.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows PDE3 blockers improve contractility but raise arrhythmia risk, while initial preclinical data suggest PDE1 blockers boost contraction without the same arrhythmia signal, making this a promising but still early approach.
Where this research is happening
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Loyola University Chicago
Maywood, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Muller, Grace Kim — Loyola University Chicago
- Study coordinator: Muller, Grace Kim
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.