# Virtual drug screen reveals context-dependent inhibition of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · 2024 · $3,557

## Abstract

Proposal Abstract
Heart failure is a leading cause of death worldwide. Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy is a leading predictor of heart
failure as it contributes to maladaptive remodeling of the heart. Hypertrophy is therefore a good therapeutic
target for preventing the onset of heart failure. Hypertrophy is mediated by complex intracellular signaling,
which limits our ability to effectively model drug activity in cardiomyocytes. Currently there are no therapeutics
that specifically target the intracellular signaling of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Previous work by the
Saucerman lab has utilized computational models of signaling networks to simulate cardiomyocyte behavior in
the context of hypertrophy. These simulations allow us to explore how drugs may inhibit cardiomyocyte
hypertrophy using a systems biology approach. Identifying drugs that target cardiomyocyte hypertrophy would
allow for translational application. The central focus of this grant is to identify drugs that inhibit cardiomyocyte
hypertrophy and the mechanisms by which they act. Aim 1 will use a computational model of cardiomyocyte
hypertrophy signaling to screen FDA approved drugs that inhibit hypertrophy and validate these predictions
experimentally. Aim 2 will use protein interaction data to identify the mechanisms of putative antihypertrophic
drugs from a separate in vitro drug screen. These aims together will result in the selection and testing of drugs
repurposed for the inhibition of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and will lay the platform for designing virtual drug
screens for heart disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10929337
- **Project number:** 5F31HL168849-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Taylor Eggertsen
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $3,557
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-07-01 → 2024-08-15

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10929337

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10929337, Virtual drug screen reveals context-dependent inhibition of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (5F31HL168849-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10929337. Licensed CC0.

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