Investigating a receptor's role in heart issues related to muscular dystrophy
Official title: Activity and therapeutic antagonism of the TP receptor in cardiomyopathy of muscular dystrophy
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-10872165 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific receptor affects heart issues in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and whether a drug called ifetroban can help protect heart cells and improve heart function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $688,125 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL167110-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10872165 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy who are experiencing heart-related complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of muscular dystrophy or those without cardiac involvement may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how the thromboxane-prostanoid receptor (TPr) contributes to heart problems in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The study aims to explore how blocking this receptor can prevent heart cell death and fibrosis, potentially improving heart function. Researchers will use mouse models and isolated heart cells to investigate the mechanisms involved and the effects of a drug called ifetroban, which has shown promise in earlier studies. The ultimate goal is to provide insights that could lead to better treatments for heart failure in DMD patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved heart function and survival rates for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that blocking the TPr receptor can improve heart function in animal models, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration in human patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: West, James D — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: West, James D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Cardiac TP receptor blocking to protect the heart in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Aims to see if blocking the thromboxane-prostanoid receptor helps prevent heart damage in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
-
How immune cells affect the heart in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
This work looks at how immune cells called macrophages contribute to heart damage in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
-
3D printed human heart model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) cardiomyopathy progression
A patient-friendly 3D-printed heart model using stem cells and gene editing helps study how DMD affects the heart over time and tests potential therapies.
-
Connexin-43 and Duchenne heart problems: a new target to protect the heart in DMD
Researchers are studying whether a heart protein called Connexin-43 can be adjusted to help people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy avoid dangerous heart problems.
-
Metabolic imaging to detect early muscle and heart changes in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy
Using advanced metabolic imaging to find early muscle and heart changes in people with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy.
-
Predicting heart disease progression in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy
This project will look for blood tests and heart-imaging signs that predict how heart disease will progress in people with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy and in genetic carriers.
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.