Restarting adult heart muscle cells' ability to grow
Reawakening cardiomyocyte proliferation from structural mediated quiescence
The team is working on methods to make adult heart muscle cells divide again to help people with heart damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11231245 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses both mouse hearts and human lab-grown heart cells to study how two cell signals, called YAP and Wnt, can prompt heart muscle cells to re-enter the cell cycle and divide. Researchers will turn on YAP genetically and activate Wnt with a small molecule (CHIR) while also loosening cell contacts and the surrounding matrix to see if the cells break down their sarcomere structure and begin to multiply. Experiments include tests after heart attacks in mice and detailed studies in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. The team will measure structural changes, gene activity, and cell division to see whether these combined approaches produce robust and controlled heart muscle growth.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who have had a heart attack or who have heart muscle damage may be the eventual candidates for related clinical trials or tissue-donation studies, though current work is laboratory-based.
Not a fit: People without heart muscle disease, children, or those with non-cardiac conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this lab-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to regenerate heart muscle after heart attacks, reducing heart failure and the need for transplants.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and cell studies have shown that YAP and Wnt signaling can encourage cardiomyocyte proliferation, but translating these findings into safe, effective human therapies remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martin, James F — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Martin, James F
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.