How the protein RHOE may control scarring in the heart after a heart attack
Novel Insights into the Mechanistic Role of Small Rho GTPase in Chronic Cardiac Fibrotic Remodeling
This work looks at whether increasing a protein called RHOE in heart fibroblasts can reduce harmful scarring after a heart attack.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11473137 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers found that the small protein RHOE is reduced in heart cells from people with heart failure by mining public single-cell RNA datasets. They will study how RHOE controls fibroblast behavior after a heart attack using lab experiments, human-derived cell data, and animal models of myocardial infarction. The team plans to activate RHOE earlier in the healing process to see whether that limits long-term scarring and adverse remodeling. Findings could point to new approaches to prevent chronic fibrosis that leads to worsening heart function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who recently had a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or who have heart failure with evidence of cardiac scarring would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People with heart conditions not driven by post-injury fibrosis or those with very advanced, irreversible heart damage are less likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to therapies that limit harmful heart scarring after a heart attack and help preserve heart function.
How similar studies have performed: Some preclinical studies targeting fibroblast signaling have reduced scarring in animal models, but targeting RHOE is a novel approach not yet tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Augusta, United States
- Augusta University — Augusta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Luo, Weijia — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Luo, Weijia
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.