Drug that targets immune cells to reduce scarring in early heart failure with preserved pumping function
Official title: Beneficial Effects of FPR Agonists on an Animal Model of Early Stage Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Funded at VA San Diego Healthcare System · NIH-11218681 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A medication that calms immune-driven inflammation in the heart is being tried to reduce scarring and help people with early HFpEF, especially women with diabetes or obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA San Diego Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005894-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11218681 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction—especially older or post‑menopausal women and those with obesity or type 2 diabetes—would be the likely candidates for future trials based on this work.
✕Less likely to help
People whose heart failure is due to reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) or whose symptoms are not driven by inflammation and fibrosis may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project uses animal models that mimic early HFpEF to see whether activating FPR receptors on immune cells can limit the inflammation that leads to heart scarring and stiffening. The team focuses on female models and on conditions linked to HFpEF such as obesity, kidney disease, and type 2 diabetes. They will give FPR agonists, then measure inflammation markers, the amount of fibrosis in heart tissue, and how well the left ventricle fills and relaxes. Results will be used to decide whether this approach should move toward human testing and possible clinical trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to a new treatment approach that reduces heart stiffness and symptoms in people with HFpEF, particularly post‑menopausal women with metabolic disease.
How similar studies have gone: Related approaches that selectively modulate inflammation have shown promise in animal studies, but clinical benefit for HFpEF in people has not yet been established.
Where this research is happening
-
VA San Diego Healthcare System
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Villarreal, Francisco J — VA San Diego Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Villarreal, Francisco J
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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.