Pioneering Research Grant Awarded to Prof. Lucio Barile for Innovative Study on Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy
The Swiss National Science Foundation has awarded a prestigious research grant to Prof. Lucio Barile from the Istituto Cardiocentro Ticino and Laboratories for Translational Research of Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, for an ambitious bilateral research project in collaboration with a research group led by Dr. Marzia De Bortoli at Eurac Research Institute in Bolzano. The project aims to develop new therapeutic strategies for Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (ACM), a rare but life-threatening heart condition.
ACM is characterized by the progressive replacement of healthy heart tissue with fibrous and fatty material, increasing the risk of severe arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. This hereditary disorder is often caused by genetic mutations affecting the proteins that connect heart muscle cells, particularly desmosome proteins such as desmoplakin . A specific mutation in DSP can severely impair heart function, especially in the left ventricle, making patients more prone to dangerous arrhythmias and heart damage. Reduced production of desmoplakin leads to lower protein levels and a worsening of ACM symptoms.
Using cutting-edge molecular tools, the research team aims to restore desmoplakin production, potentially reversing the damage caused by ACM in affected heart cells.
The project will integrate advanced technologies, including induced pluripotent stem cells derived from ACM patients and engineered heart tissues, to study the disease at both the cellular and tissue levels. By progressing from single-cell analysis to 3D heart models, the team hopes to develop a comprehensive understanding of the disease and discover novel therapeutic approaches.
In collaboration with the University of Padua (Italy) and the University of Ghent (Belgium), Prof. Barile’s team, will also explore the use of nanosized extracellular vesicles to deliver therapeutics directly into 3D human cellular models, potentially offering a breakthrough in the treatment of this devastating condition.
