Helping the heart recover after a heart attack by targeting blood vessel cell proteins (epsins)
Targeting Endothelial Epsins to Ameliorate Myocardial Ischemia
This project tests whether blocking a protein called epsins in the cells that line blood vessels can help the heart heal better after a heart attack.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11134643 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will focus on endothelial epsins—proteins in the cells that line blood vessels—and how they affect blood flow and repair after the heart is starved of oxygen. The team will use laboratory models (including animal models) and molecular approaches to see whether changing epsin activity boosts new vessel growth and reduces tissue damage after myocardial ischemia. The work may also use human-relevant samples to link the findings to human heart disease. Results will guide whether targeting epsins could move toward therapies for people with coronary artery disease or recent heart attacks.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with coronary artery disease or people who have recently had a myocardial infarction would be the likely candidates for future trials based on this research.
Not a fit: People without artery-related heart disease or those whose heart damage is from non-ischemic causes may not benefit directly from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that promote blood vessel regrowth and reduce heart damage after heart attacks.
How similar studies have performed: Stimulating blood vessel growth has helped heart repair in prior animal studies, but specifically targeting endothelial epsins is a newer approach with limited human data so far.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Hong — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Chen, Hong
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.