Sugar-processing pathway changes in heart enlargement
Hexosamine biosynthesis pathway metabolism during cardiac hypertrophy
This work tests whether a sugar-related cellular pathway changes how the heart grows under pressure in people with high blood pressure or valve problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11231230 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your heart is exposed to long-standing pressure from high blood pressure or a narrowed valve, it can thicken and either adapt or fail. The team is studying a specific sugar-processing route inside heart cells called the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway and a related protein modification (O-GlcNAc) that rises when the heart enlarges. They will use lab models, animal experiments, and analysis of heart tissue to see how these changes shift the heart's energy use and growth. The goal is to find molecular steps that could be targeted to help the heart adapt instead of progress to failure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pressure-overload heart conditions such as aortic stenosis, aortic coarctation, or long-standing high blood pressure would be the most relevant group.
Not a fit: Patients whose heart problems are caused by non-pressure-related genetic cardiomyopathies or isolated electrical disorders are less likely to benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new drug targets that help hearts under pressure use energy better and avoid progressing to heart failure.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and tissue studies have shown increased O-GlcNAc in hypertrophied hearts, but targeting the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway for therapy is still largely untested and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Seattle Children's Hospital — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Olson, Aaron K — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Olson, Aaron K
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.