New approach to treating heart failure
A novel strategy for heart failure therapeutics
Testing whether targeting a small RNA called miR-128 can stop harmful heart muscle changes in people with or at risk for heart failure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11229608 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers found miR-128 is elevated in both mouse and human failing hearts and that increasing miR-128 in mouse heart cells causes harmful enlargement and worse heart function. They will use sequencing, epigenetic analyses, affinity RNA pull-down with mass spectrometry, and mouse models to map how miR-128 is turned on and which proteins or pathways it interacts with. The team aims to test whether blocking miR-128 or its effects can prevent or reverse pathological cardiac hypertrophy and identify targets for new therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with heart failure or early signs of pathological cardiac hypertrophy would be the most likely candidates for related future therapies or for donating tissue or samples.
Not a fit: People whose heart failure is driven mainly by non-cardiomyocyte causes or those requiring urgent interventions like transplant may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that prevent or reverse harmful heart muscle enlargement and improve heart function.
How similar studies have performed: This is a novel, early-stage approach supported by animal and human tissue data but not yet tested as a therapy in people.
Where this research is happening
Cincinnati, United States
- University of Cincinnati — Cincinnati, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Yigang — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Wang, Yigang
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.