Using miRNA to find new treatment paths for dilated cardiomyopathy
Official title: Using miRNA to identify new therapeutic pathways for dilated cardiomyopathy
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11381812 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying heart-muscle disease (dilated cardiomyopathy) to discover miRNA-based clues that could lead to targeted therapies for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 12, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $247,482 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HL165099-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381812 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with dilated cardiomyopathy, especially those with known genetic variants.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without DCM or without the studied genetic context may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project uses patient-derived heart cell models to explore how specific miRNAs change disease progression and identify potential targets for therapy. The work builds on prior platforms that measure heart cell behaviors affected by DCM and aims to translate basic findings into mechanism-based treatments. If successful, it could reveal new ways to slow or reverse heart failure linked to DCM.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Potent new therapeutic targets could lead to treatments that improve heart function for people with DCM.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work using iPSC-derived heart cells has identified potential therapeutic strategies for DCM, suggesting this approach is promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Briganti, Francesca — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Briganti, Francesca
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.
-
Skeletal muscle actin mutations and heart disease: understanding how a specific mutation affects heart function
A physician-scientist at Johns Hopkins is studying how a skeletal muscle protein mutation (ACTA1 R256H) affects heart muscle function to help people with dilated cardiomyopathy.
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.