Immune cell protection after cardiac arrest

Protective adaptive immune mechanisms after cardiac arrest

NIH-funded research Mainehealth · NIH-11251567

This project looks at whether immune cells that produce adenosine can calm inflammation and help people recover after cardiac arrest.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMainehealth NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Portland, United States)
Project IDNIH-11251567 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

After a cardiac arrest, many people develop widespread inflammation that can harm the heart and brain. The team found in patients that higher numbers of CD73-expressing lymphocytes were linked with better outcomes and is using mouse models to study how those cells work. They will test giving protective CD73 immune cells after resuscitation in mice, examine how these lymphocytes form complexes with monocytes to create anti-inflammatory macrophages, and define the molecular steps involved. The aim is to learn whether boosting these cells could be developed into treatments for people who survive cardiac arrest.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for future translation would be people who have survived cardiac arrest and are recovering from heart or brain injury.

Not a fit: People who did not have a cardiac arrest or whose problems are caused by non-inflammatory conditions are unlikely to benefit from this approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new therapies that reduce damaging inflammation and improve heart and brain recovery after cardiac arrest.

How similar studies have performed: Past studies link CD73 and adenosine to reduced inflammation, but using CD73-expressing immune cells as a therapy after cardiac arrest is a novel and early approach.

Where this research is happening

Portland, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired brain injury
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.