Investigating the role of cadherin-11 in heart valve disease in older adults
Official title: Cadherin-11 in calcific aortic valve disease
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-11036372 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called cadherin-11 affects calcific aortic valve disease in people over 65, to see if targeting it can help slow down or even reverse the disease, and to find out if it can help doctors decide when to treat patients with aortic stenosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 15, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $580,541 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL170546-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11036372 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who are experiencing symptoms of aortic stenosis or calcific aortic valve disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those without aortic stenosis or calcific aortic valve disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), a common condition affecting individuals over 65 years of age. The study aims to understand how cadherin-11, a protein involved in cell interactions, contributes to the progression of this disease. Researchers will explore the mechanisms by which cadherin-11 influences heart valve cells and assess whether targeting this protein can halt or even reverse the disease's progression. Additionally, the study will evaluate cadherin-11 as a potential biomarker to help determine the best timing for interventions in patients with aortic stenosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that effectively slow down or reverse calcific aortic valve disease in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting similar mechanisms in heart valve diseases, suggesting potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Merryman, William D — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Merryman, William D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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GATA4's role in why some hearts are born with two valve cusps
A study in mice and human genetics will look at how a specific GATA4 gene change leads to bicuspid aortic valve and related heart problems.
-
AI-guided prediction of aortic valve disease progression using CT scans
A patient-friendly AI tool analyzes CT angiography data to predict how quickly aortic valve disease may advance and the risk of complications after valve replacement.
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Small molecule therapy for calcific aortic valve disease
A new drug candidate is being studied to slow or stop calcification of the aortic valve in adults with valve disease.
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Understanding and treating congenital aortic valve problems
This project develops medicines targeting the genetic and molecular causes of malformed aortic valves to help people born with bicuspid or other congenital valve problems avoid or delay surgery.
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Understanding why some people with calcific aortic valve disease develop atherogenic vs non-atherogenic patterns
This NIH-funded project explores why some people with aortic valve disease have accompanying atherosclerosis while others do not, using human genetics, proteomics, and imaging data to uncover differences that could lead to better treatments.
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Lab-grown models of how aging and sex affect aortic valve narrowing
Researchers will build lab-grown heart valve models that mimic aging and male/female differences to learn why older adults develop aortic valve narrowing.
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.