How heart cells and scar tissue shape heart structure and function
Official title: Cellular Mechanisms of Cardiac ECM Structure and Function
Funded at Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center · NIH-11212827 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how heart cells and scarring behave after long-term pressure overload (like from high blood pressure or aortic valve narrowing) to find ways to reduce lingering heart scarring.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | November 1, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005943-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11212827 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with long-standing high blood pressure or aortic valve narrowing leading to heart failure and lasting heart scarring are the patients most directly relevant to these findings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose heart failure is primarily from other causes, such as a recent heart attack or inherited cardiomyopathy, are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
Researchers are using a mouse model that mimics long-term pressure overload and its surgical reversal, plus human-relevant heart cell cultures, to study why scar tissue (fibrosis) persists after the pressure problem is fixed. The team focuses on two cell types—macrophages and fibroblasts—and how their control of protein-degrading enzymes (protease homeostasis) affects extracellular matrix breakdown and persistence. They combine in vivo mouse experiments (including a transverse aortic constriction and its removal) with in vitro fibroblast work to trace cellular mechanisms. The goal is to identify the fundamental cellular causes that stop scarring from resolving so those pathways can be targeted in future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that help the heart clear persistent scar tissue and improve recovery of heart function after pressure overload is treated.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal and lab studies from this team and others have shown related cell and fibrosis changes that support this approach, but translating those findings into proven human treatments is still early.
Where this research is happening
-
Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bradshaw, Amy D — Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Bradshaw, Amy D
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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.