Mitochondria, calcium, and muscle cell death in muscular dystrophy
Mitochondrial Regulation of Calcium Homeostasis and Cell Death in Muscular Dystrophy
Researchers are exploring whether changing how mitochondria handle calcium in muscle cells can reduce muscle cell death in people with muscular dystrophy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11312628 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses a commonly used mouse model of muscular dystrophy (mdx) to study how mitochondria control calcium levels and trigger muscle fiber death. Scientists will remove or alter key mitochondrial calcium regulators — the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (Nclx), the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (Mcu), and its regulator Mcub — specifically in muscle cells to see how those changes affect calcium overload and activation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP). They will measure mitochondrial calcium uptake, rates of myofiber death, and overall muscle pathology to connect molecular changes to tissue damage. Findings are intended to guide future approaches to protect muscle cells in people with muscular dystrophy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with muscular dystrophy, particularly Duchenne-type disease, would be the likely candidates for future clinical trials based on this work.
Not a fit: Patients without muscular dystrophy or whose muscle problems are not related to mitochondrial calcium handling are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to protect muscle cells and slow muscle loss in muscular dystrophy.
How similar studies have performed: Related studies in heart disease have shown that limiting mitochondrial calcium can prevent MPTP-driven cell death, but applying these strategies to muscular dystrophy models is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bround, Michael — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Bround, Michael
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.