Investigating how certain enzymes affect blood pressure regulation.
Official title: The roles of PLD and DGK isoforms in PIP2 homeostasis during PLC signaling
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10898647 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain enzymes help control a fat in the body that affects blood pressure, with the goal of finding new treatment options for people who struggle with high blood pressure that doesn't respond to regular medications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31HL170755-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10898647 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with resistant hypertension who have not achieved adequate blood pressure control with multiple antihypertensive medications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with hypertension that responds well to standard antihypertensive treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of specific enzymes in regulating a lipid called phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), which is crucial for controlling blood pressure. It aims to identify how different isoforms of diacylglycerol kinases (DGK) and phospholipase D (PLD) contribute to maintaining PIP2 levels during phospholipase C (PLC) signaling. By exploring these mechanisms, the research seeks to find new targets for drug development that could help patients with resistant hypertension, who do not respond to standard treatments. The study employs advanced techniques, including CRISPR, to manipulate these enzymes and observe their effects on blood pressure regulation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for patients with resistant hypertension, improving their blood pressure control.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of targeting DGK and PLD isoforms is novel, similar research has shown promise in identifying alternative pathways for managing hypertension.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weckerly, Claire — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Weckerly, Claire
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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.