Understanding how a specific enzyme (HDAC8) affects heart muscle relaxation
Official title: Defining histone deacetylase 8 regulation of cardiac myofilament relaxation
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11363669 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists want to see if blocking HDAC8 can help the heart muscle relax better, especially in diastolic dysfunction, by changing chemical tags on heart proteins.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $572,539 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL180489-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11363669 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with or at risk for diastolic dysfunction or related cardiac conditions.
✕Less likely to help
If HDAC8 modulation does not improve relaxation or causes adverse effects, patients may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant explores how a single enzyme, HDAC8, controls how quickly heart muscle fibers relax by altering acetylation on sarcomeric proteins. The work uses lab studies on human cardiac cells and heart tissue to pinpoint which protein sites are affected and how this changes relaxation. If HDAC8 modulation speeds relaxation without harming the heart, it could point to a new therapeutic approach for diastolic dysfunction. The project builds on preliminary findings that HDAC8 inhibition improves relaxation in cardiomyocytes and identifies specific lysines in the troponin complex as potential targets. The aim is to map the regulatory mechanism and assess its potential for future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to new strategies to improve heart relaxation in patients with diastolic dysfunction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests that modifying protein acetylation can affect heart muscle relaxation, with early data supporting this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woulfe, Kathleen — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Woulfe, Kathleen
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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.