Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The Medical University of South Carolina received a $247,600 Project Grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837), awarded February 16, 2026, with completion targeted for January 31, 2029. This research project investigates epigenetic regulation mechanisms underlying calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) progression and pathophysiology. The grant funds basic and translational research activities designed to identify novel epigenetic mechanisms—specifically histone post-translational modification pathways—that contribute to aortic valve calcification and disease advancement. Research deliverables include proteomic and epigenomic analyses of human aortic valve tissue specimens and valvular interstitial cell cultures to characterize differential abundance of epigenetic regulatory enzymes across disease stages and tissue localization.

The research addresses a significant clinical need, as CAVD affects approximately 3% of individuals over age 75 and currently lacks pharmacotherapeutic interventions, leaving patients dependent on surgical intervention. By leveraging MUSC's clinical cohort of human adult CAVD aortic valve tissue and extensive biobank of isolated valvular interstitial cells, the project aims to elucidate regulatory roles of epigenetics in downstream translational and post-translational signaling required for cell-to-cell, cell-to-matrix, and cell-to-vesicle mediated signaling. Research findings are expected to contribute fundamental knowledge necessary for developing disease-modifying therapeutic approaches for aortic valve stenosis.