Helping immune cells repair heart damage from inflammation
Novel regulators of macrophage function to repair sterile inflammation-induced heart injury
This project aims to boost immune cells that clear dying heart tissue to help people with heart damage after heart attacks or from type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307084 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, scientists are studying how certain proteins control macrophages, the immune cells that clean up dead cells in the heart after injury from a heart attack or long-term problems like type 2 diabetes. They use laboratory models (including diabetic and ischemia/reperfusion mouse models), cell studies, and molecular experiments to follow how proteins such as Sectm1a and Lcn10 affect macrophage behavior and heart repair. The team will map the signaling pathways that make macrophages better at removing dead cells and restoring function, looking for targets that could become new therapies. These are mostly preclinical lab studies aimed at finding mechanisms that could later be tested in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with recent heart injury from a heart attack or individuals with type 2 diabetes who have signs of inflammation-related heart problems would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People with non-inflammatory forms of heart disease (for example, inherited cardiomyopathies) or those seeking immediate, available treatments are unlikely to benefit directly from this preclinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that reduce heart damage and lower the risk of heart failure after heart attacks or in people with type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous clinical anti-inflammatory trials for heart failure have shown mixed results, and this project builds on recent laboratory findings identifying new macrophage-regulating proteins but remains largely preclinical.
Where this research is happening
Cincinnati, United States
- University of Cincinnati — Cincinnati, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fan, Guo-Chang — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Fan, Guo-Chang
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.