Immune cells in the heart's atria that drive scarring and irregular heartbeat
Macrophage heterogeneity in atrial remodeling
This research tests whether certain immune cells called macrophages cause scarring and irregular heart rhythms in people with atrial remodeling or atrial fibrillation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11138766 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use a new mouse model that combines real clinical risk factors and single-cell sequencing to map immune cells in the left atrium, and they compare these findings with single-cell data from human left atrial tissue collected during heart surgery. They will trace where different macrophage types come from and use genetic and drug-based approaches to remove or alter specific macrophage subsets in mice to see if that prevents atrial dilation, fibrosis, and arrhythmia. The team already established methods to sequence human atrial tissue and will link mouse results to patient tissues to find the macrophage types that promote disease. Findings will guide whether targeting those macrophages could become a therapy for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with atrial remodeling or atrial fibrillation—especially patients undergoing heart surgery who can donate left atrial tissue or those who might join future macrophage-targeting trials—are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without atrial disease or whose arrhythmia is caused primarily by non‑inflammatory electrical or genetic mechanisms may not receive direct benefit from this line of work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that prevent atrial scarring, reduce atrial fibrillation, and lower stroke risk.
How similar studies have performed: Animal and human tissue studies have shown immune cells can influence cardiac scarring, but directly targeting macrophages to prevent atrial remodeling is largely novel and early-stage.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hulsmans, Maarten — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Hulsmans, Maarten
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.