Exosomes from injured heart cells that trigger harmful spleen immune responses
TNFR1 Expressing Exosomes are Critical Mediators of Pathological Immune Activation in the Spleen post-Myocardial Infarction
Looking at whether tiny particles released by injured heart cells carry signals that cause harmful immune reactions in the spleen after a heart attack.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11173794 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project examines tiny membrane particles called exosomes that the injured heart releases after a heart attack to see if they carry signals that activate immune cells in the spleen. The team uses animal models and gives exosomes from damaged hearts to mice to watch how immune cells respond and whether heart function worsens. They will measure inflammation in the spleen, track immune cell movement, and analyze the proteins and molecules packaged inside those exosomes. The goal is to understand the pathway so future treatments could block harmful signals and improve healing after a heart attack.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have recently had a heart attack would be the type of patients who could benefit from treatments that come out of this work.
Not a fit: Patients without ischemic heart disease or whose symptoms are due to non-immune causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this project in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to block harmful immune signaling after a heart attack and reduce heart damage or heart failure.
How similar studies have performed: Early animal and laboratory studies show that exosomes can carry heart-derived proteins and influence immune cells, but translating this into patient therapies is still new and experimental.
Where this research is happening
Hershey, United States
- Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr — Hershey, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bansal, Shyam Sunder — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Bansal, Shyam Sunder
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 below.