Piezo1 and heart failure–associated atrial fibrillation: how stretch may trigger AF
Official title: The role of stretch-activated Piezo1 channel in heart failure-associated atrial fibrillation
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11295301 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research will explore how a stretch-activated channel called Piezo1 in the heart might drive atrial remodeling and atrial fibrillation in people with heart failure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $608,173 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL178599-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11295301 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with heart failure who are at risk of developing atrial fibrillation may be relevant for future translation or related studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without heart failure or AF may not directly benefit from this specific mechanistic study.
What this research studies
Atrial fibrillation is common and worsens with heart failure. The project studies a stretch-activated channel, Piezo1, in atrial heart cells to see if it causes changes that lead to AF. It uses a combination of lab experiments and animal studies to map the pathways Piezo1 influences, including calcium signaling and other downstream targets. The researchers will also test whether blocking Piezo1 could prevent or reduce AF-related remodeling in the atria.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify Piezo1 as a new target to prevent or treat AF in patients with heart failure.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest Piezo1 contributes to stretch responses in atrial cells, supporting potential for translation.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tong, Dan — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Tong, Dan
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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.