How immune cells and valve-support cells cause autoimmune valve inflammation
Stromal-immune cell crosstalk promotes autoimmune valvular carditis
This research looks at how immune cells and valve-support cells interact to cause heart valve inflammation in people with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatic heart disease and lupus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11231717 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use a mouse model that mimics autoantibody-driven valve inflammation seen in conditions like rheumatic heart disease and systemic lupus. They will study how valve fibroblasts (valve interstitial cells) and immune cells (macrophages and B cells) communicate to drive inflammation and scarring. The team will manipulate specific cell types and signaling molecules to trace which pathways cause persistent damage. The goal is to find targets that could later be blocked by drugs to prevent valve fibrosis and failure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with autoimmune conditions that affect the heart valves (for example rheumatic heart disease or systemic lupus erythematosus) are the population most likely to benefit from this line of research.
Not a fit: Patients without autoimmune valve inflammation, or those already requiring immediate surgical valve repair, are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this preclinical study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify signals that lead to valve scarring and point to new drug targets to prevent or slow valve damage in autoimmune valve disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and laboratory studies have shown roles for macrophages and B cells in valve inflammation, but the specific stromal–immune signaling pathways explored here are relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Binstadt, Bryce — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Binstadt, Bryce
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.