KChIP2-JNK2 axis therapy for preventing sudden cardiac death
Official title: The KChIP2-JNK2 axis as a therapeutic target for sudden cardiac death
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11337630 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach targets how heart cells mishandle calcium to reduce dangerous heart rhythms in people at risk of sudden death.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 6, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $768,183 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL174911-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11337630 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with heart failure who are at risk for sudden cardiac death and may benefit from novel anti-arrhythmia strategies alongside standard care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without heart failure or without risk of arrhythmias related to SR Ca2+ mishandling may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project investigates how the KChIP2 and JNK2 pathways contribute to dangerous heart rhythms in heart failure, with the goal of identifying a therapy that can prevent sudden death. By studying how Ca2+ handling in heart cells goes awry and how JNK2 influences this process, researchers aim to find a targeted intervention that reduces arrhythmias. The work combines detailed molecular studies with cardiac cell models to uncover a treatment strategy that could complement existing therapies for heart failure patients. If successful, this could lead to new options beyond devices like ICDs for preventing sudden cardiac death.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients at risk of sudden cardiac death could have a new therapy that reduces life-threatening heart rhythms.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown that modulating related calcium-handling pathways can reduce arrhythmic events in models of heart disease, though this exact KChIP2-JNK2 axis is a novel target.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Deschenes, Isabelle — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Deschenes, Isabelle
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Imaging-Enhanced Prediction of Sudden Cardiac Death Risk in Pediatric Heart Disease
Aims to create a better, non-invasive way to predict which children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are at risk of sudden death so doctors can choose who truly needs an ICD.
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Dynamic predictors of sudden cardiac death in people with coronary artery disease
Aims to improve how we predict who is at risk of sudden cardiac death by looking at changes in heart signals over time.
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Finding why sudden cardiac death happens in dilated cardiomyopathy and how to stop it
Looks at whether genetics and heart scarring can predict and help prevent deadly heart rhythms in people with dilated cardiomyopathy.
-
Clonal blood-cell mutations and sudden cardiac death risk
This project looks for a connection between clonal blood-cell mutations (CHIP) and sudden cardiac death in adults.
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Targeting a specific pathway to prevent sudden cardiac death in heart failure patients
This study is looking at a specific pathway in the heart to see if it can help reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death in people with heart failure, and it hopes to find new treatments to manage dangerous heart rhythms that can happen with this condition.
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Understanding the causes of sudden cardiac death in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
This study is looking at how certain genetic factors and heart changes can help doctors find out which patients with dilated cardiomyopathy are at risk for serious heart problems, so they can create better treatments and prevention plans for them.
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.