How heart scar cells control blood vessel regrowth after a heart attack
Regulation of angiogenesis by cardiac fibroblasts
This project looks at how scar-forming cells in the heart switch on or off signals that help blood vessels regrow after a heart attack in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11267981 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study activated cardiac fibroblasts—the cells that make scar tissue after a heart attack—to see which molecules they release that either promote or block new blood vessel growth. They will focus on two proteins, collagen XVIII/endostatin and Slit2, and map when and where these are produced during healing. The team will use molecular tools (including viral delivery systems) in lab models and examine human heart tissue to connect lab findings to people. The goal is to learn whether boosting helpful signals or blocking harmful ones could improve blood vessel repair and overall heart healing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who have had a recent myocardial infarction or who can donate heart tissue samples would be the most relevant participants or contributors.
Not a fit: People without heart damage or those looking for an immediately available treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify targets to encourage blood vessel regrowth and improve healing after a heart attack.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show that endostatin and Slit2 can influence blood vessel growth, but applying these findings to heart scar cells to guide repair is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quijada, Pearl Jennine — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Quijada, Pearl Jennine
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.