New kinase targets to protect the heart from injury
Official title: Novel Mechanisms of Cardiac Function and Dysfunction
Funded at Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport · NIH-11412706 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying heart kinases to find new ways to prevent or treat heart damage after a heart attack.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Shreveport, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2019 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $536,563 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL143074-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412706 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with a history of heart disease or those at risk of heart damage, as future therapies would aim to benefit this group.
✕Less likely to help
The study is conducted in animal models and cellular systems; direct benefits to individuals today are not expected.
What this research studies
This project uses blood-friendly heart tissue concepts and computer analysis to identify kinases that may drive heart disease. It then tests a promising candidate, HIPK2, in mouse models to understand its role in heart cells and in scar formation after ischemic injury. By delivering gene therapy tools in mice, the study investigates how HIPK2 affects heart muscle cells and fibroblasts during repair. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new treatments that limit damage and improve heart function after injury.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new targets to reduce scarring and preserve heart function after a heart attack.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests kinase pathways influence heart remodeling, and this study expands exploring a novel kinase HIPK2 with potential translational relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport
Shreveport, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lal, Hind — Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport
- Study coordinator: Lal, Hind
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.