FAM3D's role in reducing heart scarring in heart failure
Official title: Regulation of Cardiac Fibrosis in Heart Failure by the Cytokine FAM3D
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11252623 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether the protein FAM3D can reduce inflammation and scarring in adults with heart failure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $125,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R03HL177119-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11252623 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with heart failure or a history of heart attack would be the most relevant group for this research.
✕Less likely to help
People without heart disease or whose heart failure is due to causes unrelated to fibrosis may not benefit directly from these findings.
What this research studies
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital will study a protein called FAM3D that was found at higher levels in patients who had better heart healing after a heart attack. They will combine analysis of patient blood samples with lab studies on cardiac fibroblast cells and tests in animal models to see how FAM3D affects inflammation and fibrosis. The team will examine whether increasing FAM3D activity can limit fibroblast activation and reduce scar tissue formation in the heart. Findings are intended to explain how exercise-related benefits may work and to guide development of new therapies for heart failure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to reduce heart scarring and improve heart function for people with heart failure.
How similar studies have gone: Early patient-sample observations and animal experiments suggest FAM3D can protect the heart and limit damage, but direct human treatments based on this approach are still novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rhee, James — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Rhee, James
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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.