How the flu affects the heart and body signals
Official title: Host-pathogen molecular and cardiovascular interaction during influenza infection
Funded at University of Mississippi Med Ctr · NIH-11376171 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how flu changes heart function and blood markers from infection through recovery in healthy and obese people and how antiviral drugs may change those effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Mississippi Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jackson, United States) |
| Project start | March 6, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $218,532 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM144041-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11376171 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with recent influenza infection, especially those who are obese or who are taking or may take antiviral medication, and anyone willing to provide samples for related clinical research.
✕Less likely to help
People without flu exposure or whose health concerns are unrelated to infection-triggered heart problems may not receive direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers will follow heart and breathing function, inflammatory proteins, and viral genes from the start of flu illness until recovery. They will compare responses in normal and obese conditions and test different timings of the antiviral oseltamivir to see how inflammation and heart effects change. Much of the detailed lab work uses mice to find molecular and proteomic markers that could apply to people. The team aims to connect viral changes with body signals to help predict or prevent heart complications after flu.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify markers and treatment timing that help prevent or reduce flu-related heart complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous human and animal studies have linked flu to short-term heart risk and identified some inflammatory markers, but combining detailed viral genomics, proteomics, and cardiovascular physiology across obesity and antiviral timing is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Mississippi Med Ctr
Jackson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martin, Brigitte — University of Mississippi Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Martin, Brigitte
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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.