How immune cells in the heart drive scarring and heart failure
Specification and Function of Tissue Resident and Recruited Macrophages in Cardiac Remodeling and Heart Failure
This project looks at how different immune cells called macrophages change after heart injury and in people with heart failure to help guide better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11243497 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, the team is identifying the specific types of macrophages that naturally live in the heart versus those that arrive after injury and seeing how each type affects scarring and heart function. They combine analysis of human heart tissue and blood samples with laboratory models to trace the signals these cells use to cause harm or help repair. The researchers will map cell behaviors and molecular pathways that could be blocked or boosted by drugs. Their methods include cell profiling, genetic and molecular experiments, and comparison to patient data to link findings to real-world heart disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic heart failure or those recovering from a recent myocardial infarction whose samples or clinical information could help connect immune cell behavior to outcomes would be the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: People without heart disease or whose condition is unrelated to inflammatory processes in the heart are unlikely to see direct benefits from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to targeted therapies that reduce harmful inflammation and limit heart scarring, improving function after heart attack or in chronic heart failure.
How similar studies have performed: Broad anti-inflammatory treatments in the past largely failed in heart disease, but recent, more focused research on specific heart macrophage types is newer and shows promising but still unproven potential.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lavine, Kory J. — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Lavine, Kory J.
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.