Chromatin control of immune cells after a heart attack
Official title: Chromatin Regulation of Immune Cells in Myocardial Inflammation
Funded at J. David Gladstone Institutes · NIH-11415831 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how certain heart-attack–related immune cells are regulated at the genetic level to find ways to reduce harmful inflammation and improve healing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | J. David Gladstone Institutes NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $765,888 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL181372-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415831 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with a history of myocardial infarction or ischemic heart disease who may benefit from therapies targeting monocyte/macrophage inflammation in the future.
✕Less likely to help
People without heart disease are unlikely to benefit from this basic mechanism-focused study.
What this research studies
After a heart attack, immune cells called monocytes become macrophages that can both help and hinder healing. The project looks at how chromatin and gene regulation control these cells’ behavior, aiming to keep the helpful parts of the response while avoiding excessive inflammation. They will use mouse models with targeted BRD4 gene modifications to understand its role in monocyte and macrophage activity during heart repair. The goal is to identify strategies that dampen harmful inflammation without compromising tissue healing and scar formation. This work could point toward more precise therapies that improve heart recovery after MI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to therapies that reduce chronic inflammation after a heart attack and improve heart function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed that targeting BRD4 can influence inflammatory macrophage behavior, supporting further investigation in MI.
Where this research is happening
-
J. David Gladstone Institutes
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alexanian, Michael — J. David Gladstone Institutes
- Study coordinator: Alexanian, Michael
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.