B cells triggering sex-specific heart messages after injury
Official title: B cell-mediated antigen presentation drives sex-specific differences in the activation of the cardio-splenic axis of chronic heart failure
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11296301 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how B cells presenting antigens influence heart and spleen communication after heart injury, with a focus on differences between males and females.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $763,036 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL178615-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11296301 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with heart failure or recent myocardial injury, especially males, may be relevant for future trials of B cell–targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without heart damage or heart failure may not benefit from this immunomodulatory approach.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how B cells in the spleen present antigens after heart damage and how this affects cardiac function, using mouse models and human data. They will compare responses in male and female subjects to understand sex-specific effects. The work aims to identify potential immunomodulatory approaches to treat heart failure by targeting the cardio-splenic axis. The project builds on prior findings that B cell antigen presentation can drive cardiac dysfunction through spleen-heart signaling. Findings from this study could guide future therapies that modulate B cell activity in patients with heart disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to sex-specific immunotherapies that mitigate heart failure progression by modulating B cell antigen presentation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous data show B cell–mediated antigen presentation can affect heart function, with recent indications of sex differences; the approach is promising but still early-stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Adamo, Luigi — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Adamo, Luigi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Optogenetic silence to reduce harmful heart rhythms via kidney nerves in chronic heart failure
A new approach uses light to quiet kidney-nerve signals to lower dangerous heart rhythms in people with chronic heart failure.
-
Stellate Gland Nrf2 Signaling and Heart–Nerve Interactions in Chronic Heart Failure
A study in people is not required; instead, this grant focuses on how the brain and nerves control heart problems in chronic heart failure through a key protective pathway called Nrf2.
-
New immune-based inhibitors to modulate T cells in chronic heart failure
A patient-facing overview of a study exploring how immune cells, especially CD4+ T-cells, influence heart healing and worsening of heart failure after a heart attack, with the goal of finding targeted ways to improve heart function.
-
Cell-directed Immunomodulation to Help with LVAD Surgery in Chronic Heart Failure
A patient-friendly approach tests an immunomodulation device to improve heart and kidney function in people with advanced heart failure who are awaiting LVAD implantation but currently ineligible.
-
Bifidobacterium gut microbiome and heart failure connection
A doctor-scientist at Stanford is studying how the gut bacteria, especially Bifidobacterium, relate to heart failure with reduced ejection fraction to uncover new ways to prevent or treat the condition.
-
Mobile app and personalized text messages to help people manage chronic heart failure
This project combines smartphone apps, connected devices, and tailored text messages to help people with chronic heart failure stick to medications, monitor symptoms, and stay active.
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.