How fine-particle air pollution harms the heart using human stem-cell heart models
Modeling Cardiovascular Risks of Air Pollutants with Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiovascular-Associated Cells (Project 3) for the Air pollution disrupts Inflammasome Regulation in
['FUNDING_P01'] · HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH · NIH-11169799
Using heart tissue made from people's stem cells, researchers will look at how tiny air pollution particles damage heart cells and try drugs that might prevent that harm for people from diverse backgrounds.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_P01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11169799 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will grow human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from donors and build 3-D engineered heart tissues that mimic human heart function. They will expose these tissues to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) to observe inflammation, oxidative stress, and changes in structure and rhythm. The team will combine functional tests with molecular and genetic analyses across samples from people of different races, ethnicities, and genders to identify who is more vulnerable. Finally, they will test candidate drugs on the engineered tissues to find treatments that reduce or reverse pollution-induced damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People affected by or at risk for air-pollution-related heart problems who can donate blood or tissue samples, especially from diverse racial and ethnic groups, would be ideal contributors.
Not a fit: People looking for immediate medical treatment for existing heart disease should not expect direct clinical benefit from this lab-based research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: May lead to treatments or personalized prevention strategies that lower heart risks from air pollution.
How similar studies have performed: Human iPSC-derived heart cells and engineered heart tissues have been useful for drug testing and disease modeling, but applying them to PM2.5-driven cardiac toxicity and personalized responses is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LIAO, RONGLIH — HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
- Study coordinator: LIAO, RONGLIH
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.