How IL-33 may protect transplanted hearts
Immunoregulatory Mechanisms of IL-33 in Heart Transplantation
This work looks at whether a natural protein called IL-33 can reduce inflammation and scarring after a heart transplant for transplant recipients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143100 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze blood and heart tissue samples from transplant recipients and use mouse heart transplant models to trace how IL-33 is released after transplant injury. They will examine how IL-33 influences incoming immune cells, especially monocytes and macrophages, and whether that signaling limits blood vessel disease and fibrosis in the graft. The team includes analysis of pediatric transplant samples alongside laboratory experiments to connect human findings with mechanisms in mice. Results will guide whether boosting reparative signals like IL-33 could be a path to new therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have received a heart transplant—or are scheduled for one—and are willing to provide blood or tissue samples would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without heart transplants or whose heart problems are unrelated to immune-driven graft injury are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that reduce chronic rejection and help transplanted hearts last longer.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical mouse studies and analyses of transplant patient samples have suggested IL-33 reduces local inflammation and chronic graft damage, but clinical translation is still early.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Turnquist, Heth R — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Turnquist, Heth R
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.