Dynamic metabolism shaping immune responses after heart transplant
Official title: Dynamic metabolic rewiring determines immune outcomes of chronic cardiac transplant outcomes
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11446230 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how gut bacteria and their metabolism influence immune reactions and long-term heart transplant success.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 3, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $770,199 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI189709-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11446230 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with heart transplants or those at risk of chronic graft rejection, through future translational steps, could benefit from these findings.
✕Less likely to help
This preclinical study in mice may not directly benefit patients during its current phase.
What this research studies
Researchers use a mouse model of chronic heart transplant rejection to see how gut microbes affect graft survival. They look at how different bacteria change metabolism in the gut and blood, and how these changes alter immune cell behavior and inflammation. The goal is to identify metabolic signals that could predict rejection or guide therapies to promote tolerance and reduce fibrosis. The study highlights a link between the microbiome, metabolism, and immune outcomes in heart transplant patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to microbiome- or metabolism-based strategies to improve heart graft longevity and reduce chronic inflammation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows microbiome modulation can influence alloimmune responses in transplant models, supporting potential translation to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bromberg, Jonathan S — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Bromberg, Jonathan S
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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.