How a cell-skeleton protein shapes heart scarring after a heart attack
Novel role for the spectrin cytoskeleton in regulation of cardiac fibroblast activity, long-range communication and injury-induced fibrosis
This project looks at how a structural protein in heart support cells affects scarring and healing after a heart attack to help people recovering from MI.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11229604 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you've had a heart attack, healing involves many support cells in the heart that help patch the injured area but can also cause harmful scarring. This research focuses on a structural protein called spectrin in cardiac fibroblasts to learn how it controls cell behavior, communication across the heart, and the development of fibrosis after injury. Scientists will use lab experiments on cells and tissues to map the signaling steps that make fibroblasts activate and move, and to see how loss of a specific spectrin protein changes that response. Understanding these steps may point to ways to reduce damaging scarring and prevent complications like heart rhythm problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have had a recent myocardial infarction (heart attack) or who are being followed for post‑MI cardiac remodeling would be the most relevant group for this line of research.
Not a fit: People without heart injury or whose heart problems are not related to post‑injury fibrosis are unlikely to directly benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets to prevent or reduce harmful heart scarring and lower the risk of heart failure and arrhythmias after a heart attack.
How similar studies have performed: Early laboratory studies have linked loss of βIV‑spectrin to fibroblast activation and fibrosis, but translating this into patient treatments is still novel.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hund, Thomas Jeffrey — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Hund, Thomas Jeffrey
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.