Understanding heart disease caused by faulty protein signaling
Official title: Dysregulated mechanosignaling in dilated cardiomyopathy caused by defective Filamin C
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10894897 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how problems with a protein called Filamin C affect heart function in people with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), with the hope of finding better ways to diagnose and treat this heart condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HL159224-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894897 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, particularly those with a family history of the condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with heart conditions unrelated to dilated cardiomyopathy or those without genetic mutations affecting heart proteins may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a serious heart condition linked to mutations in proteins that help heart cells communicate and respond to mechanical forces. The study focuses on how defects in a specific protein, Filamin C, disrupt the signaling pathways that are crucial for heart muscle function. By using advanced techniques like atomic force microscopy, researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms behind these defects and their impact on heart cell behavior. This could lead to new insights into how to better diagnose and treat DCM.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic methods and targeted therapies for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding mechanosignaling in heart diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Powers, Joseph D. — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Powers, Joseph D.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Discovery of rare genetic variants linked to dilated cardiomyopathy using big biobank data
A large-scale genetic study will look for rare gene variants that affect dilated cardiomyopathy to improve how we diagnose and manage the condition.
-
Understanding how muscle ribosome mutations cause severe neonatal dilated cardiomyopathy and ways to treat it
This grant focuses on a rare genetic heart condition in newborns caused by mutations in a muscle-specific ribosomal protein, with hopes to find new ways to diagnose and treat it.
-
Unlocking how rare genetic changes cause dilated cardiomyopathy
A large study will look at genetic data from many people to understand which rare variants affect dilated cardiomyopathy and how this changes risk and treatment.
-
Role of Lmod2 in heart muscle and dilated cardiomyopathy
This NIH grant explores how a heart-specific protein (Lmod2) helps heart cells contract properly and how its problems can cause dilated cardiomyopathy in infants and children.
-
Targeting DNA Damage Pathways in LMNA-Related Heart Disease
A study to understand how damaged DNA and inflammatory signals contribute to dilated cardiomyopathy caused by LMNA mutations and explore therapies that can protect the heart.
-
Using miRNA to find new treatment paths for dilated cardiomyopathy
Researchers are studying heart-muscle disease (dilated cardiomyopathy) to discover miRNA-based clues that could lead to targeted therapies for patients.
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.