Understanding why some people with calcific aortic valve disease develop atherogenic vs non-atherogenic patterns
Official title: Multi-omic evaluation of atherogenic and non-atherogenic mechanisms and risk in calcific aortic valve disease
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11281583 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH-funded project explores why some people with aortic valve disease have accompanying atherosclerosis while others do not, using human genetics, proteomics, and imaging data to uncover differences that could lead to better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $167,400 |
| NIH project number | 1K08HL183779-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11281583 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with calcific aortic valve disease, especially those undergoing valve-related procedures, may be eligible to contribute tissue samples, imaging data, and genetic information.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without severe disease or who do not contribute data or tissue may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
If you or a loved one has calcific aortic valve disease, this research aims to reveal why the disease can look different at the molecular level. The team will combine human genetic information, blood and tissue protein data, and advanced heart-imaging analyses to separate atherogenic from non-atherogenic forms. By comparing tissue samples from surgical patients with comprehensive imaging and genetics, they hope to identify distinct pathways and biomarkers. The ultimate goal is to inform strategies that could slow progression or guide personalized therapies beyond valve replacement.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Results could lead to earlier, more tailored therapies to prevent valve decline and reduce the need for surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have shown that integrating genetics and proteomics can identify disease mechanisms, though applying this split between atherogenic and non-atherogenic AS is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Small, Aeron — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Small, Aeron
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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GATA4's role in why some hearts are born with two valve cusps
A study in mice and human genetics will look at how a specific GATA4 gene change leads to bicuspid aortic valve and related heart problems.
-
AI-guided prediction of aortic valve disease progression using CT scans
A patient-friendly AI tool analyzes CT angiography data to predict how quickly aortic valve disease may advance and the risk of complications after valve replacement.
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Small molecule therapy for calcific aortic valve disease
A new drug candidate is being studied to slow or stop calcification of the aortic valve in adults with valve disease.
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Understanding and treating congenital aortic valve problems
This project develops medicines targeting the genetic and molecular causes of malformed aortic valves to help people born with bicuspid or other congenital valve problems avoid or delay surgery.
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Lab-grown models of how aging and sex affect aortic valve narrowing
Researchers will build lab-grown heart valve models that mimic aging and male/female differences to learn why older adults develop aortic valve narrowing.
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Cadherin-11's role in aortic valve calcification
This project looks at whether blocking a protein called cadherin-11 can stop or even reverse calcium buildup in the aortic valve of older adults with aortic stenosis.
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.