MLK3 as a key mediator of PKG1 therapy in heart failure
Official title: Investigating Mixed Lineage Kinase 3 as a blood pressure-independent protein kinase G1 effector in heart failure
Funded at Tufts Medical Center · NIH-11311381 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher is studying whether MLK3 helps PKG1-based treatments work better for people with heart failure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $787,954 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL162919-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11311381 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) or those receiving PKG1-activating therapies who have LV remodeling or hypotension-related treatment limitations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without heart failure or those not candidates for PKG1-activating therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project investigates how MLK3 interacts with PKG1α in the heart and whether restoring this interaction can improve the benefits of drugs that activate PKG1 in patients with heart failure. It focuses on understanding why current PKG1-activating therapies don’t fully prevent heart remodeling and low blood pressure side effects. The study uses models of heart failure to see if MLK3 is required for the heart-protective effects of PKG1 activation and whether targeting MLK3 could boost treatment efficacy. If successful, the work could point to new therapeutic strategies that enhance heart function while minimizing hypotension.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new treatment approaches that improve heart function and reduce hospitalizations in heart failure patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous PKG1-activating strategies have shown mortality benefits, but limitations remain, making this approach exploratory yet promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blanton, Robert Morris — Tufts Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Blanton, Robert Morris
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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.