LMNA PRIORITY Project Awarded Prestigious Leducq Grant
The PRIORITY project has been awarded an $8 million grant from the Leducq Foundation to support research into LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy (LMNA-DCM), a severe inherited heart disease caused by mutations in the LMNA gene. (Log in or sign up to view)
The LMNA gene encodes A-type lamins (lamins A/C), proteins that maintain the structure of the cell nucleus and play crucial roles in chromatin organization, gene expression, and cytoskeletal organization through interactions with various proteins. Mutations in this gene can lead to LMNA-DCM, for which there is currently no effective treatment due to an incomplete understanding of its underlying mechanisms. (fondationleducq.org)
The PRIORITY consortium aims to address this knowledge gap and develop personalized, disease-modifying therapies through three main objectives:(fondationleducq.org)
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Investigate Clinical and Genetic Indicators: Identify factors that influence the severity and progression of LMNA-DCM.(fondationleducq.org)
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Uncover Disease Mechanisms: Utilize advanced technologies to explore the complex cellular and molecular processes underlying LMNA-DCM pathogenesis.(fondationleducq.org)
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Develop Mechanism-Based Therapies: Leverage insights from the previous objectives to create personalized therapeutic options for patients.(fondationleducq.org)
The consortium comprises internationally renowned experts from European institutions—including Sorbonne Université-Inserm, Amsterdam University, Maastricht University, University of Zurich, and Paris-Cité University—and U.S. institutions such as Duke, Cornell, and Stanford. Early-career investigators are also integral to the team. Collaborating with LMNAcardiac.org, a patient-led foundation, ensures a patient-centered approach that addresses the needs of those affected by LMNA-DCM. International collaborations and exchanges will provide unique interdisciplinary training opportunities for early-career scientists within the network. (fondationleducq.org, guardheart.ern-net.eu)
The PRIORITY project aspires to significantly enhance the understanding of LMNA-DCM and develop personalized therapies, potentially improving management and outcomes for those affected by this challenging disease.(fondationleducq.org)
