Understanding how blood vessel cells change to help or worsen heart valves
Official title: PKD3 and Valvular Heart Disease
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-11375710 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how endothelial cells change and contribute to mitral valve prolapse to find better ways to treat this common heart valve condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,382,189 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL174537-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11375710 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with or at risk for mitral valve prolapse or related valvular heart disease.
✕Less likely to help
People without MVP or related valve conditions may not directly benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project looks at the molecular steps that cause endothelial cells to behave abnormally and transform in a way that affects the mitral valve. The team will examine pathways like EndMT (endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition) and the role of factors such as VEGF to understand how MVP develops. By uncovering these mechanisms, they hope to identify potential targets for therapy that could prevent or lessen valve dysfunction. The study uses human-relevant biology to connect cellular changes with heart valve disease, with results that could influence future treatments for MVP.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new treatments that prevent or slow MVP progression and improve heart valve function.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has linked EndMT and endothelial dysfunction to valve diseases, but precise pathways in MVP are still being explored, making this a meaningful extension of current knowledge.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jin, Zheng-Gen — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Jin, Zheng-Gen
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
AI to find early mitral valve problems and predict future heart risks
This project uses artificial intelligence on heart ultrasound images to find early mitral valve changes and predict which adults might later develop serious heart complications.
-
Improving heart valve disease diagnosis with stress cardiac MRI
This project aims to create a better way to understand mitral valve problems using a special heart MRI scan, helping doctors decide the best treatment for patients.
-
Understanding the role of PKD3 in heart valve disease
This study is looking into how certain heart cells change and affect heart valve health in people with valvular heart disease, with the hope of finding new ways to treat this condition and help patients feel better.
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Using AI to improve diagnosis and outcomes for mitral valve disease
This study is looking at how we can use advanced computer technology to better understand mitral valve disease, helping doctors spot early signs of problems in heart images so they can provide better care and treatment for patients like you.
-
Understanding Cilia's Role in Heart Valve Disease
This project explores how tiny structures called cilia and certain gene changes might cause common heart valve problems like mitral valve prolapse.
-
Improving heart valve disease assessment using advanced MRI techniques
This study is testing a new type of heart scan to help doctors better understand and treat mitral valve regurgitation, so if you have this condition, it could lead to more accurate diagnoses and better treatment options for you.
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.