Boosting helpful immune cells in heart inflammation with a long noncoding RNA
Official title: Regulatory T cell augmentation by a long noncoding RNA: mechanisms and therapeutic applications in myocarditis
Funded at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-11237967 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach aims to quickly boost regulatory immune cells using a long noncoding RNA to help people with acute myocarditis (heart inflammation).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $417,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL168296-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11237967 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with recent or acute myocarditis, especially after a likely viral trigger or with worsening heart function, would be the most likely candidates for future trials.
✕Less likely to help
People whose heart problems are not caused by inflammation (for example chronic non-inflammatory cardiomyopathy) or those with stable, mild symptoms are unlikely to benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
From a patient perspective: researchers are studying how a particular long noncoding RNA can increase regulatory T cells, which help calm harmful inflammation in the heart. They plan lab and preclinical work to understand the molecular steps and test ways to use this RNA-based approach as a faster alternative to slow cell therapies. The team will compare immune and heart function outcomes in models of acute myocarditis to see if the RNA treatment reduces injury and promotes recovery. The ultimate goal is to move toward treatments that can be given quickly during the acute phase of heart inflammation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could shorten acute heart inflammation, lower early complications and reduce long-term heart damage after myocarditis.
How similar studies have gone: Early clinical trials of autologous regulatory T cell infusion have shown safety and promise in other diseases, but using a long noncoding RNA to rapidly expand Tregs for myocarditis is a newer approach mostly tested in preclinical work so far.
Where this research is happening
-
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marban, Eduardo — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Marban, Eduardo
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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.