How long-term stress changes immune cells in heart disease
Stress-induced trained immunity in cardiovascular disease
This project looks at whether chronic stress causes lasting changes in immune cells that make atherosclerosis and heart events worse in people with or at risk for cardiovascular disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137008 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked to provide blood (and in some cases bone marrow) samples and to undergo detailed imaging and clinical tests so researchers can study immune cells and stem cells in the bone marrow. Researchers will compare people with high cardiovascular risk or existing coronary artery disease to others, and they will use mouse models to test how stress-driven changes in blood stem cells affect artery plaque and outcomes. The team will profile immune cell behavior, epigenetic and metabolic changes, and trace how bone marrow stem cells are reprogrammed toward inflammatory myeloid cells. Findings from patient samples and animal work will be combined to identify targets that might be blocked to reduce stress-related inflammation in atherosclerosis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or high risk for ASCVD (for example, coronary artery disease, familial hypercholesterolemia, or related conditions) who can attend Mount Sinai for testing.
Not a fit: People without atherosclerotic disease or those unable to undergo imaging, blood draws, or bone marrow sampling are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat heart attacks and stroke by blocking stress-driven immune changes.
How similar studies have performed: Early human and animal studies have shown trained immunity exists and can promote atherosclerosis, but translating these findings into therapies is still a new and active area of research.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Leent, Mandy Maria Theresia — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Van Leent, Mandy Maria Theresia
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.