Light-controlled targeting of kidney nerves to lower dangerous heart rhythms in heart failure
Optogenetic silencing to achieve antiarrhythmic effect of renal denervation in chronic heart failure
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11121107
This project uses light-sensitive tools to turn off specific kidney-related nerve cells to try to reduce dangerous heart rhythms in people with chronic heart failure.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (OMAHA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11121107 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are working in the lab with animal models to deliver light-activated proteins (using harmless viruses) into nerve cells that link the kidney to heart control centers. They will then use light to silence those aorticorenal ganglion neurons and study whether this lowers inflammation in the stellate ganglion and reduces ventricular arrhythmias seen with chronic heart failure. The team hopes this approach can reproduce the benefits of renal denervation without causing the procedure-related complications that limit its clinical use. If the animal work supports the idea, the findings would guide development of safer, more targeted nerve therapies for patients with heart failure and dangerous heart rhythms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic heart failure who have frequent or high‑risk ventricular arrhythmias would be the most likely candidates for related future treatments or clinical trials.
Not a fit: Patients without heart failure or whose arrhythmias are caused mainly by fixed structural heart problems rather than nerve overactivity may not benefit from nerve‑targeted therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this line of work could lead to new treatments that reduce life‑threatening ventricular arrhythmias in people with chronic heart failure while avoiding risks of current kidney-denervation procedures.
How similar studies have performed: Previous renal denervation studies have shown promise in lowering arrhythmias but have been limited by complications, and the optogenetic nerve‑silencing strategy is largely novel and tested mainly in lab animals so far.
Where this research is happening
OMAHA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER — OMAHA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LI, YU-LONG — UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER
- Study coordinator: LI, YU-LONG
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.