How titin affects diaphragm weakness during ventilator use
Role of titin in the pathophysiology of diaphragm weakness during mechanical ventilation
This project looks at whether changes in the muscle protein titin make the breathing muscle (diaphragm) weaker in people on mechanical ventilators.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192344 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or a loved one is in the ICU on a ventilator, researchers will study small diaphragm tissue samples to understand why the breathing muscle weakens quickly when it is unloaded. They will measure how the main muscle proteins (myosin and actin) behave and whether titin helps release myosin from an inactive state. The team combines muscle-force testing with X-ray diffraction and biochemical assays on patient biopsy samples. Their approach aims to map the chain of events that leads to ventilator-induced diaphragm weakness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults in the ICU who are receiving mechanical ventilation and can safely provide consent (or have a proxy consent) and undergo a diaphragm biopsy would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who are not on mechanical ventilation or whose breathing problems come from non-muscular causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or reverse diaphragm weakness in ventilated patients and help more people come off ventilators safely.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory and pilot biopsy data support a role for the myosin 'super-relaxed' state and titin in diaphragm weakness, but translating these findings into therapies is still novel.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ottenheijm, Coen — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Ottenheijm, Coen
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.